Budgeting program (with iPhone app)

[kermit116]

I'm looking for a budgeting program (either online based or something I can sync with my iPhone) that also has an iPhone app. I was looking at one called Mint, but that apparently asks you to input your bank account & credit card account info to sync all your budgeting info, and I really don't feel I want to give that info to a third party program/application.

What I am basically looking for is a simple program that will allow our family to see how we are doing on our monthly budget on a daily basis. I need to be able to access it remotely, and ideally to input receipt information remotely too using my iPhone so that I can keep up with tracking what we've spent. I'd like to have different budgeting categories (for both spending and saving). I don't want to be forced to input my account numbers. I understand some programs will offer that for the purpose of making it easier to sync info on your spending, savings, and debts, but I just don't trust my account info in the hands of some third party.

 

[vicki_c]

I use YNAB - You Need a Budget which has a desktop program & a mobile app. It is expensive for an app - the desktop piece probably costs $50 and the app was $10, but I bought it a few years ago.

We do use it for everything and download all our info from the bank though - it replaced Microsoft Money for all our finance & banking stuff. So I don't know if it would work for what you want or not.

They have a website with lots of info and videos and forums - so you might try checking there.

 

[LSU25]

We've used MINT for about a year now and have no problems.

 

[mamilovesdisney]

I use a free app called Easy Spend. I used the free version first and liked it so much that I actually paid for it but it was a dollar...I think. I love it and just input infor every time I spend money. I don't try to balance it out. I just use it to track all spending and it is great! Free is good

 

[usd2bmd]

I just recently downloaded the free trial of You Need A Budget and the Free App for ly iPhone (YNAB lite) and so far I love it.

 

[SaskDisNut]

I also recommend YNAB. They have just recently released YNAB 4 which now has cloud syncing with the mobile app (both iPhone and Android). The desktop application is $60 and the mobile app is $4.99. There is also a lite version of the mobile app for free. You can download the full application for a 34 day trial and also the free mobile app to get a real good idea as to how it will work for you. There is no banking information stored in the program. You have to download your bank transactions yourself.

They've also got great forums with lots of knowledgeable people to help with just about anything related to the program and the YNAB methodology. We've been using it for the last couple of years and it has really helped get a better picture of our finances. And better yet, eliminating our debt!

 

[clintswifeymomof4]

I also use mint and love it. Can't beat the free price and after using it for a year, I've had 0 security issues. I can't afford to spend $65 on something to help me budget... seems to defeat the purpose.

 

[Karenj2]

I've also got to recommend YNAB - we just upgraded to version 4, and have the apple app as well... I think for new people, it's $60 for the PC version, and $4.99 for the ap (which doesn't work without the PC version, I may add...) For previous YNAB owners, the upgrade is $40 (and for those that might not like having to pay for upgrades - I've only paid to upgrade twice - once to go from the XLS spreadsheet to the standalone program, and once from v3 to v4.)

I love it - I'm still working on getting DH on board with it. Now that the files sit "in the cloud" on Dropbox, it'll be much easier, because we can open the file from any of our computers, my phone, and DH's phone (and iPad if he wants to add the ap there, too).