Phone apps have changed our lives. We now have, at our fingertips, the ability to access information 24/7, wherever we are. There are a number of useful apps that can even help you save money and track your spending.
Level Money — Are you often struggling at the end of the month to pay your bills, wondering where all your money went? This app helps you keep track of your spending by letting you set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on how much you can spend. You begin with your actual bank balance and subtract essentials like rent and utilities. The remaining balance is what you can spend on non-essentials. You can even set alerts to warn you when you only have a certain amount of money left.
Mint — This is a budgeting app that links to your banking and credit card accounts and keeps track all of your spending. It will analyze how and where you spend your money, suggest a budget, and even suggest how to reduce the money you spend on monthly bills and fees. It also alerts you when bills are due or your bank balance falls below a certain amount.
Flipp — Like a traditional Sunday newspaper, this app tells you all the sales and special offers currently available, at as well as help you find coupons. It covers weekly ads from 800+ retailers, including supermarkets, pharmacies, and big retailers, like Target or Walmart. If you’re a member of a store’s loyalty program, it can automatically apply discounts when you use your loyalty card at checkout.
Good Budget — This app uses the envelope system of budgeting. You begin by placing a certain amount of money for each expense (rent, groceries, gas, eating out, etc.) into its own category. This app keeps track of each amount, helping you to stay on budget. It also allows you and your spouse to sync your account, letting both of you know who’s spending, where it’s going, and how much is left in each “envelope.”
ShopSavvy — When you’re out shopping in a store, this app lets you scan the bar codes on merchandise and compare prices from other local and online competitors to see whose price is better. It offers special cash-back deals and you can set up notifications to alert you when a specific product goes on sale.
Copyright 2017 Credit Union National Association Inc. Information subject to change without notice.