How To Make Your Phone Really Smart with Financial Apps
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If you’re like me you never go anywhere without your phone. My whole life is on my phone, including my address books, music player, camera, and keepsake photos. I use apps to socialize and games to amuse myself. But not all apps are created for fun and games.
There are some very powerful financial apps available for free or for a small charge. So when you have some free time, instead of playing the latest Angry Birds game, check out some of these financial apps, or search for your own and make your phone really smart!
*At time of posting all apps mentioned below are free or have a free version unless otherwise noted
Budget Trackers
Moneystrands or iSpend or iWallet: With these apps
you can record how much you earn and how you spend your money. They break down your spending into categories to show you where it’s going, which can be a powerful tool when making and reviewing your budget. There are many budget apps out there so review them and see which one you like best.
Bill Tracker – This app lets you set up reminders for your bill due dates so you will never be late because you forgot to make a payment.
Helpers for Saving
Gas Buddy – This is one of my favorites! With all the recent changes in gas prices, I use this oneevery time I fill my tank. Gas Buddy tracks gas prices at stations based on your GPS location. You can also report gas prices, which gives you points into a weekly entry for a $250 gas card.
DebtTracker or DebtMinder – Want to pay off your outstanding debt? These apps can help you build strategies for getting your existing debt paid off in the most cost effective ways. (App cost: $1.99)
ImpulseSave or Urge – Out shopping and have the urge to buy something outside your budget? Pull up one of these apps and it will remind you why you are saving your money. They can help you stop and think before you buy, and have features to help you save or pay off your debt faster.
Debt Dog – Enticed by a sale price to buy now with your credit card? This app will help you figure out the real cost of the purchase. Simply plug in the price and interest rate of your card, plus the time it will take you to pay for the purchase and you’ll get the true cost of the item. Maybe that bargain isn’t such a bargain after all!
Calculators
Mortgage Calculator or Loan Calculator or LoanShark – Whether you are thinking of buying a home, a car or something else, these calculators will arm you with all the information you will need to make a decision. These apps will help you determine what you can afford and figure out what your payments will be based on sale price and interest rates. If you are looking to buy a house or condo Realtor.com, Trulia and Zillow apps are an absolute must download so you can find available homes, view pictures, and get prices. (LoanShark: $2.99)
CheckPlease – Not so good at doing tip calculations in your head? This nifty little app figures out the tip on your tab based on whatever percentage you choose. You can also use it to calculate splitting the bill.
Financial Assistants
Balance – This simple app helps you keep track of your account balances. It takes the place of your paper registers. I hardly ever use checks so I rarely carry my checkbook. Now I don’t have to try to remember to record my purchases or cash withdrawals later to keep updated on my account balances.
Mint.com – We at The Bank Roll often recommend Mint dot com for its financial information. Now you can have that priceless information right at your fingertips!
MoneyPass – Ever been out in an unfamiliar place and needed cash? This app will give you a list of surcharge-free ATM’s based on your current location.
Evernotes – This is a note pad and reminder app that lets you type in info, take a picture or voice record what you need to remember.
Receipt Catcher or Expensify (more business orientated) – Never lose a receipt again! The apps allow you to take a photograph of your receipts for safe keeping whether it’s for budgeting, business expensing or for your tax return. (Receipt Catcher: .99)
Square – Is your summer lawn care, painting, or baby sitting service booming? This app allows you to accept credit cards payments using your phone for a small transaction fee with no contracts or long-term commitments.
StockWatch- Helps you keep an eye on the stock market.
Do you have a favorite finance app? If so, share it in the comments and let us know why it’s a must have for you.
Equal Housing Lender
8 Responses to “How To Make Your Phone Really Smart with Financial Apps”
I’m always looking to try something that will make my life simpler and more compact. Thanks for the reviews and advice. I’m going to check out a few right now! I’ve also used GasBuddy and it becomes like a little game to see how much mpg’s I can get out of my car, plus I don’t have to worry about “if” I got the lowest price.
I agree Christopher. GasBuddy takes the guess work out of getting the lowest price!
Did you know there are apps for keeping track of and calculating your gas mileage? Car Care ($2.99) and Gas Cubby (free) not only keep track of your mpgs but also keep track of maintenance like mileage for your next oil change. I know for me that little sticker was always peeling of my windshield or the sun bleached the numbers off and I was left wondering.
So why isn’t Webster more up on apps? Really?! A pure app, not a Google search? No Webster Bank app is available on my iPhone. And Citibank is making a phone photo deposit app available?
Why isnt Webster offering an app for the smart phones to take a photo of a check for deposit. Given the numerous branch closings this would be wise to offer if you want to keep your current customers.
Cynthia and Susan,
In short, we agree. Our mobile optimized website is great but you can not beat an app. We are in the middle of building one now and will roll it out by the end of the year.
We are also going to roll out mobile deposits shortly after that.
Thanks for the feedback!
Greg
Hey Cynthia & Susan – here’s some more information on our mobile capabilities for now, and how you can save it to your smartphone to pull up like an app. I can’t wait for our app to launch either!
http://blog.websteronline.com/customers/a-guide-to-mobile-banking/
Thanks to the Guide to Mobile Banking blog post I set up an icon for Webster Bank mobile on my phone. You forget it’s not an app.
Thanks Susan and Cynthia for your comments. We are always looking for input from our customers. We want to meet your needs and provide you with the best services possible.
on August 28th, 2012 at 9:51 am #
[...] you set up a budget and savings goals, it will be easier to avoid impulse buys. Check out some of these great financial apps to keep you on track while you’re on the go. For helpful advice on how to set up a budget, read [...]