Budgeting using Apps

Let’s face it – budgets have been tight for a lot of people the past couple of years, and these days getting the most out of every cent really matters.

Budgeting doesn’t have to be a tedious and overly complicated process.  In fact Today’s technology provides a multitude of ways to help individuals and families keep track of their budget and a great place to start is one of the many budgeting apps available online.

If you have a smart phone, or tablet, you can download many apps for as little as $6 – and for the really budget conscious, there are many others available free.

These are the apps I use

Budget Back in Black 

This truly is a simple app to use, easy to apply-to-real-life budgeting app that anyone can use. You can set income amounts, enter fixed expenses and apply a budget for all other spending. You can track both your spending and expenditures at a glance by the home screen. Other features include setting goals like savings or credit card debt reduction. My favourite part to this app is the visual pie graphs that help me see where my money is going.

Westpac bank has also developed a budget planner app with many of the same features.

Want to keep track of your bill payments?

Bills

There is nothing worse than getting penalised for a late payment so Bills is a great for keeping track of just that: when your bills are due for payment. Very easy to use, this app lets you list all your bills within the month and have then reoccurring weekly, fortnightly or monthly.  It sends you pre-alerts when a bill is due and rewards you when you have paid a bill on time.

Want to teach your children about money?

iallowance

This App is super cool. Not only can your children keep track of their chores but they can see how their money grows and best of all it helps children get into the habit of saving.  The app has a reward system so parents can keep track of what they have promised. No more “But you said I could get a treat if I did all my chores for the week.”
Parents can also use this app simply for just the reward system as well.  Your child can receive  or lose stars and stars translate into money. Menu planner (best app)

This might not seem like a budgeting app but it is. Because I can track my items within my pantry and Menu planner then suggests different menus, this app has saved me money and time. Each week I can organise what I want to cook for the week and it uses the items within the pantry and writes a list of items I need to get. A lifesaver.

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