Budgeting App Reviews // 4 Apps to Help Manage your Money in 2015

In this post earlier this week I mentioned 4 apps that I had tried out for budgeting in 2015.  Today I want to get a little bit deeper into these apps because I know a lot of people have a lot of different needs when it comes to budgeting.  I mentioned some apps in this post about my money management plan for 2015 and I wanted to do a little review/overview of them.  First let me say that the screen grabs for the Mint apps below are from the iTunes page...not my personal account..so don't worry :)

Let's jump in:

Cash Strapped

What is it?

Ever struggled to keep your throwaway spending under control? Cash-Strapped is for you! 

Set a daily, weekly, fortnightly, 4-weekly or monthly budget for all your disposable income and keep track of it quickly and simply. Every time you spend money at the pub, on snacks or takeaways, or that impulse purchase, just enter the amount and your remaining budget will be recalculated immediately. 

No messing around typing in loads of info - this app does away with all the complexity so that you actually bother to do it. 

Feel richer at the end of each period, in the knowledge that you'll have some idea how much you spent!

info taken from iTunes description here

Easily add a transaction out of or deposit into your budget with no hassle

Why I like it

Just like the description says - you don't have to enter tons of info to use the app.  Spending entries are user defined.  I've used apps before - like Mint - where it auto-defined your purchases and I couldn't figure out what I spent $134 on groceries when it really was a clothing trip to Target.  If you define the purchase you remember what it is.  You can also add in titles like 'shopping trip with Katie' or 'Johns birthday present' so you remember exactly what you spent and exactly what is was for.

Additionally, I love the budget allowance countdown.  It is straight forward - there aren't any charts or graphs on the front page so it's simple to see that I have $40 left until my budget resets.  

The only thing that may be a downside for some users is that you can only set one budget.  So I plan on using this, as intended, for disposable income.  It is just for the so many odd dollars I allot to spend on whatever I feel like in a week.  I think this app would make a fun challenge - to see how much you can carry over to the next week.  This would not be good to manage a more specific, or complex budget.

Well Spent

What is it?

WellSpent is an easy-to-use budgeting app that helps you take control of your spending habits by helping you stick to your budgets! Using WellSpent has helped us pay debt faster, save for down payments and keep our expenses in check during family vacations. Enjoy more control over your finances and discover the guilt-free way to spend your money. 

We designed our app so it would be super easy to use so you can focus on keeping your money WellSpent, not in silly settings, unnecessary features, and gimmicks offered by other apps.

info taken from iTunes description here
get the free version here

Why I like it

The best part about this app is that you can set multiple budgets.  This is great because you can set a disposable income budget, the house/mortgage/utilities budget, a savings budget, etc.  There are multiple budgets available and you can keep track all in one place.

Purchases/entries are also user defined in this app as well and it's pretty straight forward.  Much like Cash Strapped you can keep track of expenses in a way you'll actually remember and they aren't preassigned to certain categories.  You don't have to link your accounts on either Cash Strapped or Well Spent.

Mint Personal Finance

What is it?

The free Mint app pulls in all your personal finance accounts and investments into one place, so you can track your spending, create a budget, receive bill reminders, and save more money. You can also check your credit score for free.

info & images taken from the iTunes description here 

Why I like it

This app automatically links your accounts to one app.  Track your spending through your bank, add in bill reminders, and create budgets.  It is an all in one app that corrals everything in one place.

This isn't my favorite app though because I can do the same thing through my bank's app.  I create my bigger budgets on paper and pretty much just pay things as they come in so this app isn't really for me.  It also automatically categorizes your spending and I just felt that it never really lumped things into categories where I wanted them to be.  Pretty much I only need to budget my disposable income and make sure i'm not over spending. Every other bill gets paid when it comes in because I know how much it will be.

Mint Bills & Money

What is it?

Mint Bills (formerly Check) is an award-winning app that stays on top of your bills & money for you, so you never miss a bill or get hit with overdraft & late fees again. Just set it up once and the app goes to work – proactively staying on top of your bills and monitoring your bank accounts and credit cards, all in one place. When bills are due or funds are low, the app will let you know so you’re never caught off guard.

info & images taken from the iTunes description here 

Why I like it

This app is great because you can link accounts and pay bills all in one place.  No more setting up individual payments on individual websites.  Pay with the swipe of a finger and get bill alerts all in one app.  You don't have to keep track of paper bills and you don't have to wait until you get an email.  Just pay and go.

Again, though, this app isn't for me.  I already have a lot of auto paid bills set up on the individual  company websites.  I don't really feel like going back through and setting it all up again.  This would be great however if you are the sole bill payer or the sole person responsible for paying the bills.  I can see how this would help you swipe and pay easily each month.  I even think that this app plus the Well Spent app would be the best together.

I hope this little review/overview was helpful for your budgeting goals this year.  I can't wait to keep up with the Cash Strapped app because I think that will prove to be the most effective for my needs.  But I would love to hear from you and what you're doing this year for your finances.

What apps are you using?  Do you have any budgeting tips?

xoxo, Moe

Three Ways I'm Managing my Finances in 2015

I feel like one of the biggest goals with my blog is to be open and honest about a lot of my life because I want to share with others how they aren't alone in the world.  In 2015 I want to get back to being more open about my thoughts and my life & post less filler stuff.  Post more important things, you know?  The real life things that may be hard or normal that a lot of others keep quite on their blogs.  So today I want to talk to you about finances.  In 2015 I have a few things I'd like to do to keep track of what I'm spending.

Budgeting Insert

A while ago I shared a Budgeting Printable here on the blog.  I've been kind of using it.  I found that I didn't really turn to it as often as I should have but it was a great way to keep track of big monthly payment type of things.  For example, I budget out home expenses, car payments, loan payments, desposits into savings, and what was left over, etc but it wasn't too great for my fun money expenses because I couldn't really see where it was all going.  It was too much to pull out my big binder and write everything down, and lets be real...I didn't do it at home either.  (We're getting to the solution to that problem shortly).  I also plan on using the horizontal bills tracker & the no spend tracker in that set again becaue I feel those two are the most helpful for me!

Smart Phone Apps/Websites

I have been testing out a few different budgeting apps to see which ones I like.  So far I have to say that I really like both Cash-Strapped ($0.99) and Well Spent ($1.99, but free version is here).  I used to use Mint Personal Finance (free) but now that I use my credit card for nearly everything (for points and to build up my credit) and Mint only worked to track my debit card.  If I want to do that, my bank has an app where I can see all my spending.  I also have my credit card website saved on my phone so I can see pending transactions and pay my bill there.  I need an app where I can just enter my daily spending to keep track of my fun money not really for the big things like bills, since I have a different system for that.

However, if you are the bill payer in your household (or need an all inclusive app) try Mint Personal Finance to keep track of your spending/bank account/budget.  Mint does have it all in one but you can't track your credit card...at least I can't.  Also Mint Bills & Money lets you pay bills straight from your phone...which would be great but I have a lot of my bills set up on auto pay online.

No Buy/Low Buy Periods

This might not be for everyone but I do like to shop and doing a No Buy in November 2014 really helped me out.  I purchase a lot of crafty things, a lot of planner things, and a lot of beauty things.  No Buys helped me save my money & helped me realize what I already have.  If you are creative person or someone with any hobby that you feel you might buy too much for, a no buy can force you to be more creative with the things you already have.  At least that is what I found for myself.  If you feel you just can't do a no buy, try a low buy where you limit yourself to a dollar or product amount.

Everyone has their own unique needs when it comes to budgeting.  Zach & I do things a little bit differently - but doesn't everyone?  So if you've got a budgeting tip, please let me know!

How do you budget?  What is your favorite tip?

xoxo, Moe

No Spend November // Free Budgeting Filofax Inserts

You know what I love...unexpected bills.  You know what's even better?  Two unexpected bills two months in a row.  Well the second bill wasn't really unexpected I knew it was going to come up sometime I just wasn't paying attention.  So now, in these most expensive months before the holidays, I need to kick my butt into gear!

Sooooooo......the other night I came up with some budgeting printables I'm going to stick into my A5 Raspberry Saffiano to keep me on track.  I've had the Bills tracker for a while now because I was constantly thinking 'Did I pay this? Did we mail that out?' but I need to start thinking about a real budget.  Instead of just the willy-nilly I'll pay it when I get it mentality.  I've always had a pretty good idea of where my money went....I knew I'd spent too much at Target but it really didn't cut into anything else.  I knew that I had the money and I knew where it was going.  I wasn't ever too loose with my money, but I did spend it where I really didn't need to.  I had a pretty decent savings until I had to buy a new car ..... and with that comes a whole new budget game.

When it comes to numbers and rations, I'm a planner.  I like to calculate out this and add up that just to make sure I'm on track with what I need to be.  I can't tell you how many times I find little papers lying around with numbers, addition & subtraction, notations, and lines lying around.  They are especially prevalent in little tiny note books I have.

Today I want to share with you three desktop sized (8.5 x 5.5 inch) inserts that fit perfectly in an A5 filofax.  I could be all technical and do it at proper A5 size......but that is a waste of paper especially since its only a few centimeters off.  So these are desktop sized, half page, inserts that you can print at home.  

Here's the breakdown:

No Spend Tracker - Because I reeeaaaallllyyy want to spend as little as possible this month, I'm doing a no spend.  That means I will not buy clothes, make up, stationery, Project Life supplies, shoes, purses, yarn, etc for the whole month.  I reeeeaaalllllyyy would like to carry this into December and I hope I can!  So that's what the No Spend Tracker is.  I'm going to mark everyday that I don't spend and we'll see what happens!

Monthly Budget - This is like the name suggests, my monthly budget.  I had a vague budget before but now it's going to really be broken down.  There is a section for the income, your starting balance budget, list of bills with due dates, name, amount, and a section for if it's been paid, an ending balance, and a spot to keep track of your savings.  Phew...thats a full sheet of paper!  There are two files in this one a right margin and a left margin so you can print back to back if you wish.

Bill Tracker - This is pretty simple, it is an at a glance look to make sure you've actually paid what you think you've paid.  For me it's good because I can see not only when bills are paid but which bills are every six months, which bills are quarterly, etc.  Like our trash bill is every 3 months and my car insurance is every 6 months.  Things like that are good to have at a glance.  You can see what's coming up due or if you've forgotten anything that month!

I hope these printables are helpful for you all I really had a fun time breaking it all down.  Printing instructions as well as terms of use are included in the .zip download from Google Drive, download the files here. 

Have fun and budget them dollars!

xoxo, Moe

How to Coupon With Out Stockpiling

Now, I'm not claiming to be a coupon expert...oh god no...but I want to share with you my coupon journey.  That journey involves no stockpiling.  I've been couponing mainly on beauty products for the past month & just now feel comfortable branching out into non-beauty products.  The other day I scored an awesome deal on laundry detergent (I'm actually thinking about picking more up on this sale because who doesn't need laundry detergent....but that is on the verge of stock piling for me!)  So below I just want to share with you what goes through my head when I'm trying to coupon:

Keep track of sales & check store sale weekly - If you have enough time I'd suggest keeping track of store sales.  I've heard the average sale cycle is 6-8 weeks.  To me, ain't no body got time for dat.  Dat being keeping a sales book, comparing prices, and traveling from store to store.  There are 2 stores I mainly shop at - CVS & Meijer.  However, I do want to start at least keeping an idea of the rotation of sales.  But also I check the sales at CVS each week which easy because you can view the ad online usually on Saturday nights.  I also check our Meijer's ad and clip their coupons often through their mPerks app on my phone & iPad.  It doesn't hurt to save a little something when you go in.  Even if you're not dropping you're $150 grocery bill down to $2.  Also try doubling coupons on top of sales.  Meijer had a good sale on paper towels last week & they had a coupon on their mPerks app.  And it turned out to be a bit better to buy a huge pack than a small pack.

Buy what you need when you need it (part 1) - While you can keep track of sales, the best thing to do is to buy what you need when you need it & stock up when it's on sale.  The best example of this is the laundry detergent I just bought.  Zach & I are a two person household so laundry detergent goes a loooong way.  Recently I bought 3 Arm & Hammer 32 load detergent bottles at 3 for $7.49 (a buy 1, get 2 free deal).  It would have been sweeter with another coupon on top, but alas I did not have one.  So I know we are going to need more laundry detergent in the near future, I keep that in the back of my mind as I'm out looking for deals.  I saw that deal & stocked up because 96 loads can last us at least 8 months (I do about 3 loads of laundry a week).  So the point of this is to buy what you need when you need it.  Do I care that I got Arm & Hammer and not Tide? Nope, we don't have sensitive skin nor do we notice the change in any sort of way from different brands.  Same sort of thing with toothpaste & tooth brushes - if you find a really good sale & are down enough in that department to justify picking up a few, do it.  I try to have no more that 3 things depending on the size.  Ain't no body got room for a serious stock pile (but if you do, go for it!)  Toothpaste is small so 3 items take up no space while detergent can be bulky so 3 things might end up being too much.

Buy what you need when you need it (part 2) - Don't buy 3 of a product you tend to change up often.  I bought Pantene shampoo on a great sale once right before I decided to try out Suave Moroccan Infusion line and now I have a whole bunch of shampoo that I don't want to use because I have a new favorite.  Same with face wash - I'm getting bored of my L'Oreal Youth Code collection but I have 2 other face washes I need to use and I don't want to because I want to try something new.  The other side of this is you can always donate anything unopened through your church or other group that may collect for a shelter.  Along the same lines - if you have 3 of something but want to try something new, try with all your might to use it all up before you migrate.  You might also find that you won't get a bang up deal all the time when you wait around to buy what you need but try to double up coupons and purchase the smaller item to save the most, shop with your rewards (like CVS Extra Bucks), and keep in mind when you'll need to be looking for this item again.

Clip coupons for what you need - Don't need any cat food? Then don't select clip all on coupons.com because you'll be printing for days.  Take the time to clip things you are thinking you will need & keep in mind what you'll be in search of over the next month or so.  Keep a mental list or an actual list...doesn't matter, but clip what you need & not everything.  It's always nice to have extra coupons on hand for Advil and the like as you may need to run out and get some randomly.  Think a tummy ache with no Pepto or suddenly sick with no NyQuil.  It doesn't hurt to save even a little bit.

You don't have to use a coupon (part 1) - Just because you have one doesn't mean you have to use it.  Along the same lines as part 1 & 2 above - I have a $2.00 off two Head & Shoulders shampoo which both of us use sometimes.  We are nearly out with only half of a back up bottle (don't ask me how that happened) so it's time to start looking for a good deal.  While I'm writing this, CVS has Head & Shoulder's as 2 for $10 so with that coupon it brings it down to $8.  Well the CVS brand shampoo is something like 2 for $7...so that's not a great deal.  I don't have to use the coupon and in fact I lose out a dollar when it comes to overall savings.  That Head & Shoulders coupon is good for another month or so, so if & when I find a better deal I can use it.  But until then we are set on a back up there's no need to waste a dollar.

You don't have to use a coupon (part 2) - Stacking generic store coupons - like $3 off $15 in beauty type of coupons - may help get a store brand product for free.  For example, I have a $1.10 off of an Olay body wash but I got the CVS brand for free using a CVS $1 off $$ body wash or shower gel coupon + a $5 Extra Buck reward.  That brought the $5.99 CVS body wash down to free when I would have paid something like $3 for the Olay brand.  That was a good price to grab another & use the coupon before it expired.  Sooooo I guess if you can use a coupon you should - but only if it's going to be awesome.

Mix & match BOGO sales - If you can mix & match your BOGO sales so you aren't stocking up on too many of one thing.  A good example is with the CVS beauty department.  Often they will have a sale where Maybelline, Revlon, & Almay are buy one, get one 50% off.  Look carefully but usually that means you can pick up one Maybelline and one Revlon item & get the lesser one 50% off.  I did this in Meijer the other day - knowing I need more Suave conditioner I picked up a large Suave conditioner & dry shampoo along with a Pantene hairspray because the deal was buy 2 of any Suave or Pantene product, get one free.  I use conditioner a lot so I got the big bottle.  I don't have any more dry shampoo.  And I find my self needing hair spray again but not too often so I picked up the smaller bottle of hair spray.  That meant my hair spray was free.  By mixing & matching and buying the sizes/quantities you need you'll never be over purchasing.

So those are a few tips I have on couponing & saving without stock piling.  If you think you need a garage full of paper towels then do it but even saving 20% on something is worth it, in my opinion as I don't have room for floor to ceiling paper towels in my garage.

How do you save money on everyday items?

xoxo, Moe

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Hasta Barista

So while looking for money saving tips, I got sick of reading article after article that told me not to spend money on my daily coffee.

This frustrated me a bit because, I can get coffee, from my work, for free.

I haven't purchased a frothy, foamy cafe whatever in ages.

source

I have a love affair with mason jars

Why? Because I am freaking poor!

I have too much to save for & pay for that I can't afford to use anything but el cheapo coffee.

In fact I am sipping on it right now.

anyway you can find some close to Starbucks recipes here

So for the lack of better budgeting, saving, & other important tips, here are mine:

If you have graduated or will graduate soon (or even next year) start out by saving your money.

open a savings account & try not to use it.

-save your graduation money.

thats all I asked for & I've put it away to help pay the expenses of starting off on my own.

-write out all your expenses & compare them towards your monthly income

Make a list and make sure you are bringing in enough during the month to cover your basic needs.

rent, utilities, phone, gas, food, internet, cable, car payments, credit card, student loan repayment

-there are things you can get by with out

you don't need the latest phone, you don't need cable, you don't need a new car.

The money you are spending towards these things you can put into savings

just in case your car breaks down, or there is another emergency.

-spend as little as you can on groceries but still eat well

I love the new my plate recommendations from the USDA.

this is a great guideline for eating well. It is easy & works great on a budget.

While you may need to sacrifice your gourmet habits (if you're like me you have none)

to satisfy your hunger but you can totally eat healthy for cheap.

The goal is to stay healthy & not eat those cheapo things with sodium 

like ramen, oodles of noodles, & soups 

I try to spend $100 a month on food - about $50 every two weeks.

However, I try to get away with $40 & put that other $10 away.

Anyway, you can use the my plate guide to organize meals.

one - buy generic

two - shop the sales, use coupons, make sure the deal is right

three - shop discount stores

four - buy canned veggies & fruit instead of fresh (they still count)

Once you get on your feet you can afford those fresh things again.

-apply for food stamps

if you qualify, there is no reason not to use them to get on your feet after graduation.

If you are like me & pride yourself in paying your own way,

you can still do so because these programs are here for those who need it!

- stay on your parents phone bill

If they don't mind that is.  Pay them what they pay for your added line.

If they say 'nope, get your own bill!' get a track phone.

From what I understand they have cool ones & if they don't

you're trying to pay bills, not look cool anyway. 

-write down when you will pay each bill

In my planner, I have written down when I will fill up with gas,

when I will buy food, when my rent money is due, when to get my oil changed, 

when my car insurance is due.

-get away from a 'stuff' mentality

You don't really need those shoes, that shirt, etc.

if you do...go to the thrift store.  Become a thrifter -- its a fun hobby!

-finally, take out a little for you each month

If you can afford it, take out a little bit of money from your paycheck each month

$20, $30, $40 or so to put away for yourself later.

put it in an envelope with your bills, on your desk, etc.

--its like saving up for a rainy day--

Use it to treat yourself, but try to stretch it out.

compile a little spending money over the month, combine it with next month, etc.

What do you do to save each month?  How do you afford what you want to do?

ps.  You can also find some great post grad inspiration from Megan over at Freckled Italian, Victoria from Be One of a Kind, & Hayley from The Weekend File.

Megan has load of spoil yourself recipes, Victoria has a bunch of DIY inspiration, & grab some outfit inspiration from Hayley 

PS. Don't forget to check out the link parties in the Side Bar or click here!