The best budgeting and finance tools for home and business

The Mint budgeting app has been folded into Credit Karma, owned by Intuit. It’s been around since 2006, so it’s a shame to see it go. Worry not! There are other options out there.

What to look for in a budgeting app

Don’t just blindly choose the first app that pops up when you search for budgeting apps. There are several factors to consider when selecting the one that fits your needs best.

Security

Most budgeting apps have you connect your credit cards and bank accounts and enter personal information, including your most delicate passwords. That’s a lot of faith given to one app.

With hackers being a constant concern, security should be your number one priority when choosing the right budgeting app. Do they have a history of being hacked? Does the application offer two-factor authentication? Be sure to check the security settings of an app before making a final choice.

Cost

Budgeting apps typically have a free option, but many require upgrading if you want premium options. This doesn’t mean you should avoid the paid apps, but you’ll want to ensure the purchase is worth it for your budgeting needs.

Features

Not every app is created equal. Some will let you track all your financial accounts, and some are more limited. Investigate a few apps before choosing so you can see which features are the most valuable to you and if they are worth paying for. Now onto the apps.

You Need A Budget (YNAB)

When you look up the best budgeting apps online, you’ll probably find YNAB. That’s because it has a ton of robust features you can use to take charge of your personal finance goals.

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I saved $456.76 in 5 minutes using an app that finds subscription services

Do you ever look at your monthly bills and wonder where some of those crazy numbers come from?

I’m willing to bet some of those costly digits come from subscriptions you’re signed up for. Do you use all of them enough to justify the expense? That’s money automatically being taken out of your account every month or year.

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Love meets credit: The new dating app SCORE plays Cupid … if Cupid was also into personal finance. If your credit score is 675 or above, you’re in. The Federal Reserve’s findings say those good credit scores tend to stick together. One way to dodge golddiggers, I guess?

Avoid these BAD money tips going viral on TikTok

It should go without saying: Never take financial advice from an app famous for surveillance and life-threatening trends. But it looks like Gen Z never got the memo. According to Barrons, more than a third of Americans in this age group prioritize TikTok financial advice over tips from a certified advisor.

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3 apps that help you manage your money in new ways

If you can’t afford an accountant, try an app on your smartphone. Many budgeting apps can help you track spending, monitor expenses and see how your investments are doing. Here are the best budget apps we recommend for 2022.

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Google Pay: Is it safe? Yes, and here's how to use the payment app

Digital wallets are more useful than they’ve ever been. Between the pandemic and the change shortage, we’re all looking for safer and easier ways to pay for stuff.

One of the safest ways to do that is to use a digital wallet to send money or pay for items. There are tons of different options out there — Apple Pay, PayPal, Venmo and Google Pay, for starters — and they all make it simple to complete contactless transactions. Even Amazon has gotten in on the contactless pay action.

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Check your credit report for free - and what you need to look for

Do you know the difference between 570 and 780? Yes, they’re 210 digits apart, but these aren’t just numbers; they’re examples of bad and good credit scores, respectively.

While some may not give their credit scores a second thought, others live by them — literally. These consumers are the ones who recognize how difficult life can be with bad credit. In addition to facing high-interest rates, people with poor credit often struggle to get approved for home or vehicle loans.

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