Budgeting apps recommendations

[HappyPumpkin81]

Hi,

I am looking for recommendations on budgeting apps. My income and outgoings are fluctuating quite badly at the moment and I have been burying my head in the sand about it. However my savings are rapidly disappearing and if I don't take control I am going to end up in debt. I have been reading about zero sum budgeting and considering using You Need a Budget but I don't know if there might be something better suited to me. I basically have one current account, one credit card and one savings account. At the moment I am purchasing everything on the credit card as I get cash back on it and I then pay off the credit card each month. However I am not keeping track of what is going on the credit card and my monthly income is not always enough to cover it so then I end up raiding the savings to pay for it, I then have no money in my current account so end up putting everything on the credit card again. Is there an app that will let me track if an expenditure has gone on the credit card rather than out of the current account?

I appreciate any help you can give me 🙂

YNAB is great for budgeting. But it does rely o you inputting spend whether it be from current count or credit card (you can do both of these on ynab). I also do a lit of spending on credit card due to cashback but pay it off straight away - something to consider. I also use my banks mobile app to keep track that I have paid cc balance off, so full visability, just in case I forget to input into ynab.

Thanks peppaminttea,
I think I need the discipline of entering in the information myself. I have downloaded YNAB so I am going to give it a go.

What about Yolt? It can monitor your different accounts and track budget

I definitely recommend ynab, I've been budgeting with a spreadsheet for years but ynab has really helped me sort out the nuances and get a real hold on our financial situation.

There's a really helpful Facebook group - Ynab (you need a budget) fans! It'll help if you're stuck because it does take a bit of working out. Especially credit cards. Stick at it!

Oh and if you've got a laptop or desktop make sure you use it on there as well as the mobile app, I find it much easier on the laptop

Another YNAB fan here. I've used it for years and adding transactions is almost second nature now - I do it without thinking. As a 'spender' it really help me keep on top of spending, especially as I also do 95% of my spending on a credit card for the rewards then pay it off in full.

I use an iOS app called Buddy (it recently changed it's name from Kashing).

Have you considered using a card that tracks instantly - such as Monzo, Starling. They are debit cards so you have to have the money already.

The meaningful money handbook mentions having two bank accounts, one for bills and one for spending. You seem to be using your credit card in a similar way so replacing that card with another bank account or pre-paid card may work for you.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I have started inputting my data on YNAB and I'm planning to starting inputting all my transactions from tomorrow.I plan to use it for several months and then see how it is working for me. At the moment my income is fluctuating a lot as I am coming to the end of maternity leave, I have new childcare bills to pay and I am reducing my hours. I am getting in a real panic about money but I already feel a bit more in control just writing down what payments need to go out and when. I shall check out the Facebook group.