We’ve all been there—tapping our debit cards and pleading that the word “approved” pings up on the terminal screen and putting the luho items away from the grocery basket in order to not go overboard on weekly grocery budget (in my case, the pricey oat milk that'll go so well with my morning espresso). We also avoid opening e-bills from the bank out of fear of sighting balances, misbudgeting, and having to dip into ~barely enough~ savings just to get through dinner.
You probably wouldn’t want to hear it, but the truth is if you’re reading this right now, there’s a high chance that you’re *not* good when it comes to handling money, but would really, really want to be. You came to the right place, hun.
Obviously, the most challenging part is to start, since there are too many proposed ways available claiming to help in better managing one’s finances. One suggestion would be to open several savings accounts in hopes that you'll finally have a "don't touch" account, only to see that getting emptied because the bills just pile up. There are also the intimidating worlds of NFTs and stocks, that can help you invest and see you grow your money through a not-so-easy-to-digest process, tbh.
We know you want to start simply, so budgeting with easy-to-use digital apps can help you jumpstart your journey! With just a few taps on your phone screen, you can stay on top of your finances and develop better habits in no time. Below, we round up the best ones to try.
Best Budgeting Apps to Help You Manage Your Money
Goodbudget
If you’re looking for an app that’s family-friendly and easy to use, look no further than Goodbudget. Its USP is it eliminates the physical hassle of carrying paper envelopes (yup, the ones you dread receiving every month) and keeps you on track with your loved ones with a time-tested virtual envelope budgeting method instead. Through this, users can divide income and set budgets for categories that they can customize—bills, groceries, allowances, you name it!
It’ll also keep you disciplined and stops you from overspending since you’re only allowed to follow the allotted budget per envelope and you need to stop once they’re “empty” (you can’t borrow from the other envelopes!).
Goodbudget is available on iOS and Android.
Monefy
If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly app that can help you track expenses in a visual way, then Monefy might be the right choice for you. It summarizes your expenses with an easy-to-understand pie chart, quickly identifying your spending patterns. It also gives a great overview of how you spend historically, tracking your expenses in weekly, monthly, and yearly charts, helping you evaluate yourself and improve where you can (Bye, online budols).
Monefy is available on iOS and Android.
Money Lover
Wanna budget in style? Money Lover is worth considering if you like cool designs and an easy-to-navigate interface. This app allows you to track your expenses, create budgets, and set financial goals effortlessly. It also provides features like bill reminders, debt management, and reports to help you gain insights into your spending habits. If you don’t want any fuss, its handy tools make this app stay true to its moniker and will help you ~fall in love~ with tracking your finances.
Money Lover is available on iOS and Android.
GCash
The all-in-one digital wallet GCash is not just a digital wallet but also a budgeting app that simplifies your financial transactions. With GCash, you can track your expenses, pay bills, transfer funds, and even invest your money. It offers a secure and convenient way to manage your finances effectively. Not to mention, most stores and shops in the Philippines accept payment through GCash, making it a convenient choice for the risk-taker in you who loves going out cashless (hard same).
GCash is available on iOS and Android.
Maya
Another digital wallet-slash-budget app that’s currently making waves is Maya, where you can spend, save, and master money handling. There are high-interest rates credited to your account every day, making your money literally grow daily! They’ve also got helpful tools if you’re into crypto-trading. And just like Gcash, Maya is a great choice for cashless individuals, given the ever-growing number of shops accepting payment from this wallet, too.
Maya is available on iOS and Android.
Budgeting App Reminder
Each of these budget apps brings its own unique features and benefits to the table, catering to different preferences and financial goals. Whether you're a tech-savvy individual or someone who prefers simplicity, there's an app that suits you! If you find it overwhelming to choose the right app, one piece of advice we can give is to take into consideration the key features of each, listing down its pros and cons. Once you’ve done that, you’ll probably see and compare what each has to offer, choosing the one that caters to your needs best.
Hopefully, this saves you from the occasional bouts of petsa de peligro (Payday could NOT come any sooner). Happy budgeting!
