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5 Online Tools to Help Budget Your Money
When it comes to budgeting money wisely and with a plan, there are two types of people in the world…well, three: Those who have the natural, organizational mind and just budget naturally, those who resist budgeting initially but are taught (or forced) to adhere to a budget long enough that it becomes natural to them, and those that do not budget, period.
If you are reading this, it’s a safe bet that you are one of the first two types of people and are just looking for ways to make budgeting a little easier. Perhaps you’ve been doing it in your head, or with pencil and paper, or maybe even a makeshift Excel spreadsheet you threw together. Whatever your method, the following 5 tools can help you get a handle on any loose ends you may have or, if you don’t budget at all, perhaps one of them will inspire you to start.
Budgeting Tool #1
Mint is a free online budgeting tool that allows you to connect securely (one way) with your bank accounts so that you can see what each one is up to and how your spending patterns work. Mint uses a system of filters and macros that help you to automatically file charges that appear in your account in the proper area (such as under spending or household bills). The program is customizable and best of all, is easy to use and FREE!
Budgeting Tool #2
Buxfer is another online budgeting system that has many different tools, but a different feel and may appeal to the more mobile customer. It can link well with all of the popular messaging systems (Yahoo, Messenger, AOL, etc.) and allows you to check your accounts and information using a mobile device such as a cell phone or a blackberry.
Budgeting Tool #3
More of a bill reminder service for the absentminded, Budget Tracker looks like a calendar that you can put the due dates and other information for all of your bills into and have it remind you when they are coming due. Also portable to mobile devices such as your blackberry or cell phone.
Budgeting Tool #4
Pear Budget isn’t free, but it isn’t expensive, either. Free for the first 30 days, and then just $3.00/month after that, Pear Budget is a very expansive client-side (on your computer) software that is based in Excel. Robust and capable of connecting with your bank account to download information, Pear Budget is a great tool for beginners to begin putting together the basics of a budget plan to live by using their simple set-up wizard.
Budgeting Tool #5
Mvelopes is not free, nor is it inexpensive, as Pear Budget is. If you sign up for a yearly plan, you end up paying $10.80/month which doesn’t sound like a whole lot, but coming out as one big, nearly $130.00 bite, it may be daunting to many inspiring budget-masters. Mvelopes proves itself to be well worth the expense in a short period of time. This online system is extremely easy to use, linked to your bank accounts in secure and intimate ways that allows you to move money between them without leaving Mvelopes, and is accessible by mobile device as well. For those with the money to spend, a 30 day free trial may be in order - it is highly doubtful you will come away disappointed.
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