Insurance and Finance

5 of the Best Budgeting Apps

By Peter Simek 2.7.22

Spending money has never been easier: We pay for groceries with our phones, order packages via any number of digital payment systems, and use our credit cards by tapping them on a screen at checkout. Many of us have subscribed to so many streaming services and channels that we have difficulty keeping track of our passwords, not to mention our spending.

The ease with which money can disappear without you ever seeing it can make staying on top of your personal finances seem more difficult. But don’t worry; there’s an app for that, too.

If you want to gain clarity and control over personal finances, here are five of the best budgeting apps that might help.

1. YNAB

YNAB — an acronym for “You Need a Budget” — is a popular platform that’s been in use for nearly two decades, and there’s a reason it’s stuck around. Using the “envelope method,” which divides one’s available cash into separate spending categories, this app helps you allocate every dollar you earn to a specific purpose — such as car insurance payments, house repairs, or vacation savings. The approach is intended to help break paycheck-to-paycheck living habits.

2. PocketGuard

PocketGuard treats you like a business; that is, it organizes your personal spending into the kind of income and cash flow statements that help businesses manage their money. The encrypted app attaches itself directly to your checking, credit, and savings accounts and automatically tracks your spending. It then generates reports — it can even export your spending data to Excel spreadsheets — and helps you set up a financial plan.

3. Stash

Stash sets aside money for you to invest without having to think about it. It allows you to automatically invest in any number of assets — from individual stocks to investment funds — in tiny increments. You can choose the companies you’d like to invest in through the app, or you can simply allow Stash to take as little as $5 and automatically invest it in a fund. Even if you sign up and ignore it, Stash will help you build wealth.

4. Honeydue

Honeydue offers a simple solution for couples and families trying to keep track of multiple people’s spending. The app tracks all your accounts, coordinates bill payments, offers joint banking accounts, and helps you communicate about spending and purchases. 

5. Texas Farm Bureau Insurance App

Having your insurance information at your fingertips will come in handy when you least expect it — like if you bump fenders on the way to work and need to show proof of insurance. You can also file a claim or call your Agent for help. It’s also helpful to see all your policies in one easy view, autopay your bills on time, and keep track of your coverages so you can ensure you’re not overspending or under-covered when it really matters. Learn more about how the app helps you here.

Another finance management tip: smart payments. Learn more here.

Coverage and discounts are subject to qualifications and policy terms and may vary by situation. © 2022 Texas Farm Bureau Insurance