Your Information
Based on your personality type, certain apps will work better for your money management style. Pay special attention to the "BEST FOR" sections below!
MINT (Free)
PROS
- Automatically syncs with bank accounts
- Categorizes transactions automatically
- Free credit score monitoring
- Bill reminder features
- Investment tracking
CONS
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
- Ads throughout the app
- Limited customization
- Security concerns with bank linking
BEST FOR: Financial Nerds who want detailed automatic tracking
EVERYDOLLAR by Dave Ramsey (Free with Premium $17.99/month)
PROS
- Zero-based budgeting (give every dollar a job)
- Simple, clean interface
- Based on proven Dave Ramsey principles
- Great for debt payoff tracking
- Free version available
- Baby Steps progress tracking
CONS
- Bank connectivity requires premium
- Manual entry in free version
- Limited customization options
- Premium subscription for best features
- Less detailed reporting than some apps
BEST FOR: Students following Dave Ramsey's debt-free philosophy
YNAB (You Need A Budget) - $14/month
PROS
- Zero-based budgeting method
- Excellent educational resources
- Strong goal-setting features
- Desktop and mobile versions
- Great customer support
CONS
- Monthly subscription cost
- Steeper learning curve
- Manual transaction entry
- Can be too detailed for some
BEST FOR: Serious budgeters willing to invest time and money
POCKETGUARD (Free with Premium $12.99/month)
PROS
- Simple "safe to spend" calculation
- Easy-to-understand interface
- Bill tracking and reminders
- Spending limit alerts
- Quick setup process
CONS
- Limited customization options
- Basic reporting features
- Premium required for best features
- Less comprehensive than others
BEST FOR: Free Spirits who want simplicity without complexity
GOODBUDGET (Free for 10 envelopes)
PROS
- Digital envelope budgeting method
- Works without linking bank accounts
- Good for cash-based budgeting
- Family sharing features
- Privacy-focused (no bank linking required)
CONS
- Manual transaction entry required
- Limited free version (10 envelopes)
- Less automation than other apps
- Can be tedious for heavy spenders
BEST FOR: Students who prefer envelope method or use mostly cash
GOOGLE SHEETS/EXCEL (Free)
PROS
- Completely customizable
- No monthly fees ever
- Works offline when needed
- Can share with family/accountability partner
- Learn valuable spreadsheet skills
CONS
- Requires manual setup and maintenance
- No automatic bank syncing
- Time-intensive to maintain
- Need basic spreadsheet knowledge
BEST FOR: Tech-savvy students who want complete control and no ongoing costs
MY CHOICE
SETUP CHECKLIST
Questions for Your Coach
Need Help Choosing?
Coach: Money Coach Mary RN
Email: [email protected]
I'm here to help you succeed on your debt-free journey!
