“`html

Top Budgeting Apps of 2024

Budgeting is crucial to a successful financial plan, but it’s not always easy, especially if you’re doing it all on your own. The best budgeting apps can help you get your finances in order, stay organized, and work toward your money goals. Here are our choices for the top five budgeting apps that are currently available.

PocketGuard

Cost: Free, with a premium tier

App Store rating: 4.7/5

Google Play Store rating: 4.4/5

Best feature: Simple snapshot of how much you can spend

If you’re looking for a simple approach to budgeting, PocketGuard is a solid choice. The app connects to your financial accounts and keeps track of your transactions and bills. Then it gives you a snapshot of how much you have available to spend based on your income, past and upcoming bills, and the money you’ve budgeted for spending and savings goals.

For more detailed budgeting, you can upgrade to PocketGuard Plus, which offers features like debt payoff plans, custom spending categories, and unlimited savings goals. PocketGuard Plus costs $7.99 per month or $34.99 annually, with a lifetime membership option for $79.99.

You Need a Budget (YNAB)

Cost: $99 annually

App Store rating: 4.8/5

Google Play Store rating: 4.6/5

Best feature: Helps you assign a purpose for every dollar with a zero-based budget

YNAB allows you to connect your financial accounts and maintain a strict budget based on your spending habits. The app lets you share your budget with a partner, set and track various financial goals, review spending and net worth reports, and more. YNAB costs $14.99 per month or $99 per year, but it offers a 34-day free trial.

Goodbudget

Cost: Free, with a premium tier

App Store rating: 4.6/5

Google Play Store rating: 4.2/5

Best feature: Lets you view your budget across multiple devices

Goodbudget is an envelope-based budgeting app that lets you share your budget with others. You’ll create virtual envelopes for individual spending categories, then use those to manage your money. The free version offers 10 envelopes and one year of budgeting history, while the premium version costs $8 monthly or $70 annually and offers unlimited envelopes and accounts.

Empower

Cost: Free

App Store rating: 4.7/5

Google Play Store rating: 4.3/5

Best feature: Also helps you track your investment accounts

Empower, formerly Personal Capital, is primarily an app for managing your investment accounts, but you can also use it to track your budget and spending. The app provides access to digital wealth advisors, but requires at least $100,000 in investments to qualify for premium features.

HoneyDue

Cost: Free

App Store rating: 4.5/5

Google Play Store rating: 3.4/5

Best feature: Helps couples share and manage expenses together

HoneyDue is designed specifically to help couples budget together. You and your partner can link views of your accounts and credit cards, set bill due dates, and create reminders. The app also allows in-app messaging to discuss expenses. However, it doesn’t allow you to set up savings goals.

Other Options for Creating a Budget Without an App

If you prefer not to use a budgeting app, consider these options:

• Budget spreadsheet: Free online templates can help you find the right approach, though some may require complicated formulas.
• Pen and paper: Develop a system that works for you, including binders and folders to stay organized.

Whether you use a spreadsheet or pen and paper, you’ll need to do everything manually. As your financial situation gets more complicated, a budgeting app can make things easier and less time-consuming.

Evaluate Your Budget to Ensure You’re Still on the Right Track

It’s important to evaluate your approach to budgeting at least once a year to determine if it’s still working for you and helping you achieve your financial goals. This can include evaluating whether your current budgeting app is still right for you or if you should switch to another one.

As you evaluate your financial health, it’s important to keep an eye on your credit, which you can do for free through Experian.

Contact O1ne Mortgage for Your Mortgage Needs

At O1ne Mortgage, we are dedicated to helping you achieve your financial goals. If you need any mortgage services, don’t hesitate to call us at 213-732-3074. Our team of experts is here to assist you with all your mortgage needs.

“`