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.
Why your score on Credit Karma seems higher than it should
Having a good credit score is something many aspire to, and it can be difficult to achieve. A good score can give you access to bank loans, credit cards with better interest rates or even more housing options.
But what happens when you get two vastly different scores from competing reporting agencies? Which is the one can you trust? Does the one company have more information on you than the others? Tap or click here to get your free annual credit report.
Check your credit report for free - and what you need to look for
Do you know the difference between 570 and 780? Yes, they’re 210 digits apart, but these aren’t just numbers; they’re examples of bad and good credit scores, respectively.
While some may not give their credit scores a second thought, others live by them — literally. These consumers are the ones who recognize how difficult life can be with bad credit. In addition to facing high-interest rates, people with poor credit often struggle to get approved for home or vehicle loans.