Best app for personal finance and budgeting for beginners?

Seeking Advice
1

I read somewhere that Mint might no longer be active. Is it still the go-to option, or has it been replaced by something better?

I’m a beginner with no investments or stocks (except for retirement savings), and I have one checking account. I’m planning to open a high-yield savings account and want to get better control of my finances. What apps or tools would you recommend?

2

I use YNAB (You Need a Budget). It’s based on zero-based budgeting, so every dollar gets assigned a purpose. If you stick to it, it’s great for managing debt and controlling spending.

3

EveryDollar is easy to use and more beginner-friendly than apps like YNAB or Mint in my opinion. The free version has enough features that I’ve never needed the subscription.

4

Jade said:
EveryDollar is easy to use and more beginner-friendly than apps like YNAB or Mint in my opinion. The free version has enough features that I’ve never needed the subscription.

Does it let you track credit card balances, considering it’s tied to Dave Ramsey’s philosophy?

5

@Gabriella
Yes, you can track debt in it. It would be odd if they didn’t include that feature since paying off debt is a big part of his advice. I use the free version and enter transactions manually, but the paid version allows account linking.

6

@Jade
I might give it a try. I respect some of his advice, but his approach can be a bit much for me.

7

Gabriella said:
@Jade
I might give it a try. I respect some of his advice, but his approach can be a bit much for me.

Definitely check it out. It’s one of the easier apps to use. I understand what you mean about his style, but some of his basic principles helped me a lot early on.

8

@Jade
I agree his advice helps many people, but I wish he didn’t use extreme examples to make his points, like saying airline miles aren’t a reason to get a credit card.

9

Monarch is a great option. They recently had a discount, and we love how straightforward it is.

10

I prefer GnuCash. It’s a bit old-school, but it’s reliable and works well for tracking finances.

11

BlueCoins is another great option. It has many features and doesn’t require an account or subscription. The premium version is a one-time purchase and reasonably priced.

12

Rocket Money is worth looking into.

13

I used Mint for years and loved it, but it’s no longer active. Monarch seems to be a favorite alternative, though it costs $100/year. There are cheaper options, but they’re still around $50/year. If your retirement account is with Fidelity, check out Full View—it’s free, but its budgeting features aren’t as robust.

14

I’ve been enjoying Monarch. It’s not free, but I think it’s worth the cost.

15

Honestly, a spreadsheet might be your best option. Apps have limitations, and creating your own budget spreadsheet will give you more control and flexibility.