📊 Budgeting & Financial Planning Tools

Explainer

Budgeting tools help track income, spending, and savings goals.

Popular Tools:

• Mint
• YNAB (You Need a Budget)
• Personal Capital / Empower
• New AI-driven finance apps

Comparison: Spreadsheet vs. App

• Spreadsheet: Fully customizable, manual entry
• App: Automated syncing, reminders, analytics

Guide: Building a Budget

Track spending for 1–2 months

Categorize needs vs. wants

Use 50/30/20 rule (needs/wants/savings)

Automate bill payments & savings transfers

Trends in 2025

• Rise of AI-based smart budgets
• More apps offering debt payoff planners
• Integration with banking & investment dashboards