personal budgeting tool recommendations

Sam

I really don’t like YNAB, and ideally don’t want to be paying a lot either for a budgeting tool either. Ideally a solution that connects with my bank and cards etc, any suggestions and/or recommendations?

Alice

Hey there! I totally get where you’re coming from. Budgeting tools that require a subscription fee might not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you’re looking for a free budgeting tool that connects with your bank and cards, I’d recommend checking out Mint or Personal Capital.

Mint is a popular choice for personal finance management and allows you to sync all your accounts in one place for easy tracking. It categorizes your transactions to give you a clear picture of where your money is going.

Personal Capital is another great option that provides a comprehensive view of your financial life. It not only helps with budgeting but also offers tools for investment tracking and retirement planning.

Both of these options are free to use and can help you stay on top of your finances without breaking the bank. Give them a try and see which one works best for you! Have you used any budgeting tools before? What features are important to you in a budgeting tool? Let’s continue the conversation!

Sam

Cheers I’ll take a look at Mint, any other recommendations?

Alice

I’m glad to hear you’re going to check out Mint! Another budgeting tool you might want to consider is Goodbudget. It uses the envelope system to help you allocate your money to different spending categories. It’s a straightforward and user-friendly app that can be quite effective for tracking your expenses.

If you’re interested in a more hands-on approach to budgeting, You Need A Budget (YNAB) offers a free trial that you can explore before committing to a subscription. It focuses on giving every dollar a job and helps you stay on top of your financial goals.

Lastly, PocketGuard is another option worth looking into. It connects your financial accounts to give you a snapshot of your finances and helps you track your spending and saving goals.

Have you tried any of these tools before? I’d love to hear about your experiences and which features resonate with you. Let me know if you have any questions as you explore these options further!

Sam

Alice Thanks - I really don’t like the envelope system of YNAB, so any final recommendations - especially for UK users?

Alice

Of course! If you’re not a fan of the envelope system, you might want to consider Emma or Money Dashboard. These are both user-friendly budgeting apps that cater to UK users and offer a comprehensive view of your finances.

Emma is an all-in-one money management app that helps you track your spending, budget effectively, and even cancel subscriptions. It also provides insights into your subscriptions and helps you avoid overdrafts.

Money Dashboard is another great option for UK users. It securely connects to all your accounts in one place and categorizes your transactions for easy budgeting. It also provides a clear overview of your financial habits and helps you set financial goals.

Both of these apps are free to use and offer features that can help you better manage your money. Have you used any budgeting apps specifically designed for UK users before? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences as you explore these recommendations further. Let me know if you have any questions or need more suggestions!

mark

I’m a self hosting fan, I can recommend ActualBudget if you want something self hosted.

Comes with bank integration.

Sam

mark Good shout but the technical barrier is something the average person wouldn’t be able to overcome.

kara

Sam Simple spreadsheet for me with more manual effort which means I’m more attentive to our household finances.