The best budgeting and finance tools for home and business

The Mint budgeting app has been folded into Credit Karma, owned by Intuit. It’s been around since 2006, so it’s a shame to see it go. Worry not! There are other options out there.

What to look for in a budgeting app

Don’t just blindly choose the first app that pops up when you search for budgeting apps. There are several factors to consider when selecting the one that fits your needs best.

Security

Most budgeting apps have you connect your credit cards and bank accounts and enter personal information, including your most delicate passwords. That’s a lot of faith given to one app.

With hackers being a constant concern, security should be your number one priority when choosing the right budgeting app. Do they have a history of being hacked? Does the application offer two-factor authentication? Be sure to check the security settings of an app before making a final choice.

Cost

Budgeting apps typically have a free option, but many require upgrading if you want premium options. This doesn’t mean you should avoid the paid apps, but you’ll want to ensure the purchase is worth it for your budgeting needs.

Features

Not every app is created equal. Some will let you track all your financial accounts, and some are more limited. Investigate a few apps before choosing so you can see which features are the most valuable to you and if they are worth paying for. Now onto the apps.

You Need A Budget (YNAB)

When you look up the best budgeting apps online, you’ll probably find YNAB. That’s because it has a ton of robust features you can use to take charge of your personal finance goals.

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Small business owners: Simplify your life with one financial tool that does it all

Are your finances as organized as you’d like them to be? Come on, be honest. For most business owners, the answer is a reluctant no.

As your company grows, you will have more expenses, contractors, KPIs and hands managing it all. If your communication happens through email, over the phone, in messages, and via spreadsheets, you will hit a wall sooner or later.

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#BlueCollar: That’s the hashtag Gen Z influencers are using to show young Americans that blue-collar jobs can be a goldmine. Take construction gigs, which pay newbies more than entry-level accounting jobs — and minus the student debt. They’re not giving out this knowledge just to be nice; electrician Lexis Czumak-Abreu rakes in $200,000 a year from clicks and brand deals alone.

10 tech freebies to grab now: Software, phone service, logos and more

There’s never a dull moment when you own your own business. You don’t report to anyone but are on the hook for all the big decisions. You have complete control over what you spend your money on, but the bills never stop coming. Tap or click for small business tips that will save you money.

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10 free budgeting spreadsheets to help get a handle on your money

Keeping track of your finances can be a daunting task. Wouldn’t it be great to know exactly where your money was?

When I started on my own, recording and managing my finances was non-existent. If you’re not good at keeping track of what you have in your accounts or what is coming or going from those accounts, this may be the answer for you.

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5 small biz freebies to save you some cash, from shipping materials to logos

Owning or working for a small business is full of joys: Seeing your business take off, working closely with a small team and watching your ideas flourish.

It’s not all a walk in the park, though. Small teams, limited budgets and not enough time in the day can make things challenging.

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Best timekeeping, accounting and money-management software

Time is money, and every minute counts. Detailed time tracking and bookkeeping can seem like a hassle if you’re running things independently.

If a skeleton crew operates your business or you’re managing everything on your own, that means relying on the right tech to get the job done. Don’t waste your time and money on software that doesn’t work for your needs.

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3 simple things that will save your business money to start the fiscal year

Many people think that owning your own business means you have hundred-dollar bills hanging out of your wallet. Small business owners know differently.

Business owners face a myriad of financial hurdles, more so since the pandemic. So when it comes to budgeting, finding ways to cut costs is a priority for every business owner.

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