These days, it seems like everyone has a smartphone, tablet, or fancy mobile device. What was once a simple gadget designed to make phone calls and send or receive messages is now a powerful portable computer, able to do everything from track your heart rate to manage your finances.
This is great news for those of us trying to save money for a new home, and especially if you want to keep yourself within budget throughout the home buying process.
When you want to save money, better manage your finances, and keep on track for important goals like paying off your debts or saving for a down payment on a house, these apps can help.
Mint for Canadians
By far the most popular financial app in the United States, Mint is now available for Canadians too. Mint connects with your bank accounts, helps you set and track spending, organize a budget, and give you tools to achieve your financial goals.
Mint is available for both Android and Apple devices as well as via a browser on your phone, tablet, or desktop computer. Mint supports nearly all Canadian banks, including RBC, TD, Scotiabank, Bank of Montreal, HSBC, Canadian Tire, Tangerine, American Express Canada, the National Bank of Canada, Desjardins, and Capital One.
Receipts by Wave
Many of us do a lot of our shopping online, but there are still plenty of times when you spend money at mortar-and-brick retailers. In order to help you keep track of all your spending, Receipts lets you scan paper receipts in order to seamlessly upload the information to Receipts' free accounting software. Receipts by Wave is available for both Android and Apple devices.
Pocket Guard
Now available in Canada, Pocket Guard lets you connect your phone or tablet to all of your bank accounts, create a budget, and help you identify ways to save money. The simple yet intuitive interface shows you how much money you have, what you've earned, and where you've spent money. It also helps you plan for future spending. Pocket Guard is available for both Android and Apple devices (including Apple Watch) and can also be accessed via the web.
YNAB
Officially known as "You Need a Budget" but known as YNAB to its legions of fans, this powerful platform operates by the philosophy of "give every dollar a job." Instead of just tracking where you spend money, YNAB helps you plan for the future, budget for infrequent expenses, and keep you from overspending. YNAB is available via the web or Android and Apple devices.
Good Budget
If you've ever seen anyone sort their bills and future planned spends into (paper) envelopes, then you'll immediately understand how Good Budget works. This simple app helps you track your spending and easily plan for the future, including savings targets. Best of all, it automatically syncs between devices. Good Budget is available for both Android and Apple devices.
Wally
Wally is completely free to use and yet delivers a simple and beautiful way to keep track of all of your expenses. Wally helps you keep track of bills, monitor where you spend your money, and learns from your habits to help you save money for future goals. Wally is available for both Android and Apple devices.
Bill Minder
If you're ever finding that you're forgetting to pay bills or make payments, then Bill Minder might be right for you. Bill Minder works by tracking all of your future expenses and then notifying you when it's time to take action. Bill Minder is available for Apple devices.
iXpenseIt
Probably the most sophisticated and powerful budgeting app around, iXpenseIt is for people who want serious, granular level control over how they spend money.
iXpenseIt allows you to track multiple currencies, monitor your spending trends, do kilometre tracking (for vehicles), and even output your data to other programs. It also supports recording GST information. iXpenseIt is available for Apple devices only.
TD Bank App
If you're a customer of the TD bank, then you should definitely be using their handy app. Far more powerful than just checking your bank balance, the TD bank app allows you to receive and send money, pay bills, track purchases, and monitor your spending. The TD bank app is available for both Apple and Android devices.
Unsplurge
Unsplurge works by helping you track your spending so that you can save up for a big goal such as a dream vacation or down payment on a house. The app also has a lively online community where users share tips and tricks. Unsplurge is available for Apple devices only.
With so many great apps out there, everyone can easily master their budget, pay off debts, and work towards future savings goals. Find the one that's right for you!
