Dollars and Sense: Apps to Improve Your Finances

We’ve looked at unusual apps that help one improve his or her health. With the other top contender for most popular New Year’s Resolution being better finances, this week we will look at another roundup of quirky apps that will help one save — and maybe even make it fun.

So here’s are some apps to give one sense about dollars and cents.

Sorry. It couldn’t be helped.

Many apps have decided that the right way to motivate is to make life into a game.

One app allows users to set random goals such as flossing your teeth or putting money in savings. If you reach the goal, you are rewarded with a leveled-up character, better armor, quests, and other rewards. Fail and you’re punished. The app lets you engage in battles.

So flossing one’s teeth really can help one defeat monsters.

If monster battles aren’t your speed and you still want to experience the thrill of gaming when you save, there’s the Long Game. As in, literally, an app called Long Game. This app was originally developed by a credit union and allowed users to earn plays in the game by performing banking tasks. SaveUp and WinWin also reward users for saving.

Rounding Up and Envelopes

Making saving into a game might not be for some, but there’s other ways to get those bank balances climbing higher.

One easy way is to round up purchases to the nearest dollar and automatically send those extra pennies to saving. While it might not seem like a penny is worth much anymore, pennies here and pennies there can add up.

The Envelope Method dates back for decades, but it’s now gone digital. Historically, those using this method would label envelopes with different categories, divide their actual cash, and place the money inside. When those using this method run out of money in a particular envelope, the individual must do without until the next paycheck refills the envelopes.

This method no longer requires actual cash and envelopes to follow. Instead, digital currency is divided into digital envelopes.

Supported Saving

Saving money doesn’t have to be done alone. Perhaps the best way to save is to engage communal support.

Twine provides a way for couples to save together. HoneyDue allows users to set a budget as a couple. SplitWise, CoPilot, EveryDollar, and a host of others all allow couples to budget and save together.

But what if one is not half of a couple? One can always use apps like Qapital to set money-saving goals and then share them with friends or family to encourage accountability and support.

If one lacks friends or family to help one save, one can engage AI. Chip, Trim, and MoneyLion all employ AI to help one save. The apps look for ways to trim expenses or automatize saving by moving money into savings for you. Other AI financial apps use a more I’m-your-financial-advisor-and-friend approach with a myriad of apps that have “friend” names such as Albert, Cleo, Emma, and Joy.

Are they as annoying as a GPS insisting one makes a U-Turn when one stops for pie on a road trip?

Perhaps.

Then again, if you’re looking to save money, an app can probably up your chances.

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