The economy seems to have been the buzzword for the last couple of years. Everyone is paying more attention to the economy, their jobs, and especially their finances. With technology on the rise and their prices getting more affordable, many are turning towards tech to help keep their finances in order and save as much money as possible.
The economy’s future is unknown, but your finances and budget don’t have to be. If you are also turning to your computer or smartphone to help manage your finances, then you should consider the software and apps you will need to stay organized. Here is some of the most popular software to keep you on top of your finances.
You Need a Budget:
YNAB is personal finance software that implores 4 rules of budgeting. Each rule is implemented in the software as well as teaches you how to look at your money differently. These rules include giving each dollar a job, save for a rainy day, roll with the punches, and stop living paycheck to paycheck. More than just a system for their software, these rules can be applied to everyday spending.
The software shows you how to create your budget and stick with it. You can import your bank statements to see where your money is going, where it has been, and how much you are saving. The software remembers everything from your normal bills, to the larger infrequent payments that need to be made. There are even an iPhone and Android app available for managing your budget on the go. You can try it for free, but the full version of the software is $60 and is available for Mac and Windows.
Manilla:
This is an online service that basically puts all of your bills in one place. By adding all of your accounts, Manilla will show balances due, payments that have been made, and reminds you of when your payments are coming up. You can easily track all of your utilities and other bills with one password. This service is meant to help avoid late fees and overdraft charges by offering an easier way to view your monthly bills. Currently, Manilla is n beta and is free to sign up.
AceMoney:
Since Microsoft Money is no longer supported or upgraded, many are looking for full-featured software to replace it. AceMoney is one of those software suites. It is a cheap solution that offers downloadable transactions, budgeting, and investment tracking, plus much more. The software tracks your spending habits and shows you how to budget your money more effectively. You can view reports in AceMoney or export them to your favorite spreadsheet format.
Buxfer:
This software does it all. It allows you to upload reports from your accounts, track payments, and even set spending limits. If there is more than one in the family with access to your accounts, you can even track shared expenses and spending. For those who want to keep an eye on your budget while on the go, there is an iPhone app available to see where your finances stand no matter where you are.
Either the economy needs to improve or we need to improve our budgeting. If your finances are on your mind, look to technology and the many different software suites available for managing your personal budget and spending. Take the small amount of time it takes to enter your account information and yield the rewards of a better financial future.
Author Thomas Hathaway is a finance consultant and contributor for payday loans in the UK, a site that provides more information and cash advances when you need an advance on your regular paycheck.
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