We live in a world where smartphones can get us anything, from a midnight pizza to a new car. Yet despite all its capabilities we mostly use this gadget to distract ourselves or make insignificant purchases that we often don’t even need. But smartphones can also help you plan your budget, becoming an inseparable part of your financial world. Need to improve your credit score? There’s an app for that. Maybe you’re paying too much for subscriptions and they’re draining your account? An app can help you analyze your spending and look for better deals. In this article, we’ll review 7 apps that will turn your phone into a financial advisor.
1. Chime MyPay: PayDay Loans and More
We all have different situations in life, and sometimes we simply need cash fast without the hassle of applying for a loan at a banking institution. Whether you need to borrow in California or anywhere else, you can use an app to do it online. Chime offers up to $500 before your payday with immediate access to funds for a small fee if you need cash extra fast. To access all Chime features you’ll need to move your paycheck to the app and your limit will rise with time.
2. Simplifi: Plan Your Budget Smartly
If you need to make sense of your spending and become more financially savvy, Simplifi can import all your transactions from various sources, including different credit cards and bank accounts, and sort them into various categories. This app can help you set up a spending plan and see where you tend to buy more than you intended to. You can later add those categories (for example, restaurants) to the watchlist, so you can track your spending more efficiently. You can also get notifications when you’ve spent a certain percentage of your monthly budget on a certain category.
3. Qoins: Deal With Your Debt More Efficiently
Paying out a debt can seem like a daunting task, and that’s where Qoins comes in handy. It will help you make extra monthly payments by allowing you to save on various expenses. The app offers a few ways for you to save money. You can use roundups from each transaction and save them to help you pay out your debt at the end of the month. You can also make weekly recurring transfers from each paycheck to accumulate more funds to pay your debt.
4. Too Good To Go: Save Food From Perishing
We live in a world where a lot of good meals go to the trashbin just because there is no one to buy them. Now there’s a marketplace for surplus food where you can rescue various meals from going to waste at a quarter of the price. This app kills two birds with one stone: on one hand, you help the environment by reducing waste, and on the other hand – you get to try cheap meals from local cafes and restaurants that can be otherwise too pricey. It’s also a great way to get to know your local eateries and their owners.
5. GasBuddy: Refuel While Saving Money
Whether you’re traveling to a new place or simply want to save a few cents per gallon, GasBuddy can help you with that. The app monitors real-time prices and can offer you the best deals on gas depending on where you’re traveling. There’s an option of using a GasBuddy account to get cash back if you use the app while paying for gas. According to the company, you can save up to 30 cents per gallon if you use the GasBuddy card at checkout.
6. Honeydue: Budget Planning for Couples
Sharing expenses can be a tricky matter, whether you’re at the beginning of your relationship or have already moved in together. Honeydue was created specifically for couples, allowing them to share their accounts, loans, investments, and credit cards with each other via the app. You can explore both your finances together or have an overview of your personal income and spending. It’s an all-in-one money-tracking app that can be used to plan your budget individually and as a couple. If you need reminders to pay various bills, the app has features to do that, too.
7. Checkout 51: Cash Back on Gas and Groceries
Shopping can also earn you some money while you’re at it. Checkout 51 will show you the cashback deals on a specific store you’ve chosen. Each time you buy something from the list of products with cashback, you’ll get some money in return. The cashout is available when you save at least $20 on your Checkout 51 account. The app also allows you to earn cash back after you buy gas or do online shopping.
Conclusion
Your smartphone can be used in a variety of ways, and saving money is one of them. Not only can you plan your budget using apps like Simplifi and Qoins, but you can also share your account information with your partner and use Honeydue to join your finances to better understand your spending. Apps like GasBuddy and Checkout 52 can help you get some cash back on each purchase while looking for the best deals in your town or city. Chime offers an easy way to get money before your payday if you need to buy something fast. You can even save on delicious foods while getting to know local restaurants and their owners with Too Good to Go.
