9 Top Budgeting Apps for Families That Are Super Simple to Use

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Managing a budget can be a challenge, especially when you’re balancing the financial needs of a family. For those flying solo, adjusting spending is a bit simpler—after all, it’s just you to consider. But once kids enter the picture, the financial landscape can get complicated. Unexpected costs pop up everywhere: from sports registration fees to doctor visits and occasional babysitting when you need a break. And let’s not even get started on holiday expenses!

Even if you consider yourself a budgeting whiz, taking the time to manage ledgers or endless spreadsheets can feel overwhelming. This is where budgeting apps come into play. Recent search data indicates that the quest for the best budgeting apps is a common one, with nearly 49,500 monthly queries. You’re not alone in seeking a little help! With so much on your plate, it can be a game-changer to have these handy (often free) tools at your fingertips. While it’s tricky to declare a single best app, many excel in specific areas, whether it’s helping couples manage shared finances or supporting travelers on the go. Below, we share tips for creating a budget and our picks for the best budgeting apps for your family.

How to Create a Simple Household Budget

Step 1: Record Your Income
Begin by listing your net income from all reliable sources, including your job, alimony, child support, side gigs, and other revenue streams.

Step 2: Tally Your Fixed Expenses
Next, add up your essential fixed expenses, such as rent, mortgage, healthcare, car insurance, and childcare. These are your consistent monthly bills—avoid adding variable costs like groceries or entertainment at this stage.

Step 3: Calculate Your Variable Expenses
Now, list your essential variable expenses. These are necessary monthly costs that fluctuate, including food, transportation, and utilities.

Step 4: List Nonessential Expenses
This category covers entertainment, vacations, dining out, and other discretionary spending.

Step 5: Determine Your Net Income
Subtract your total expenses from your income to find out how much you have left.

Step 6: Adjust as Needed
If your final amount is negative, it’s time to make some budget cuts, starting with nonessential expenses. Maybe reconsider those streaming services for a while.

Step 7: Set Up a Monthly Budget
You can either create your budget in a spreadsheet or download one of the apps below to simplify the process.

Our Favorite Budget Apps

1. Mint
   Widely recognized, Mint is user-friendly and ideal for families and couples. The app automatically categorizes transactions from linked accounts and offers customizable budgeting tools. It’s free to use and provides valuable insights into your spending.
2. PocketGuard
   For a quick snapshot of your budget, PocketGuard is perfect. It shows how much money you have available for spending after accounting for bills and savings goals. It also allows you to track specific spending categories like groceries and dining out.
3. GoodBudget
   If you prefer the envelope budgeting method, GoodBudget digitizes this approach. You allocate funds into virtual envelopes for categories like food and transportation and track your spending accordingly, helping you stick to your limits.
4. Clarity Money
   Great for managing subscriptions, Clarity Money links your financial accounts and generates spending reports. It alerts you when you go over budget and helps you identify recurring charges you might want to cancel.
5. You Need a Budget (YNAB)
   If you prefer a more hands-on approach, YNAB assigns every dollar a specific role in your budget, ensuring you account for every cent. This app is great for individuals or couples and offers both desktop and mobile interfaces.
6. EveryDollar
   Designed for zero-based budgeting, EveryDollar ensures your expenses match your income each month. The free version allows you to track every transaction, while the premium version adds extra features for a fee.
7. Trabee Pocket
   For travelers, Trabee Pocket simplifies expense tracking across different currencies. It differentiates between cash and credit card spending and provides a comprehensive view of your travel expenses.
8. TripCoin
   Another excellent choice for international travelers, TripCoin functions offline, allowing you to record expenses in real time. It’s particularly useful for business travelers needing to submit expense reports.

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Summary

Managing a family budget can be daunting, but with the right apps, it becomes a lot easier. From Mint to Trabee Pocket, each app offers unique features tailored to different budgeting needs. Whether you’re tracking daily expenses or planning for a dream vacation, these tools can help keep your finances in check.