7 Personal Budgeting Features That Actually Help You Stick to a Budget
Checking your bank balance and wondering where all your money went? While staying on top of your account is so important, it's easy to hope there's more in your account than there is. For many people, it feels like paychecks vanish before bills and groceries are even covered. That’s where personal budgeting tools come in.
A survey from debt.com revealed that 69% of people are living paycheck to paycheck in 2025, despite the fact that 86% of respondents reported having a budget. When done well, a budget shows you exactly where you’re spending and how much, which means you can plan to put money into savings and investments that can help you get ahead.
In this guide, you’ll find seven types of tools and apps for practical budgeting, from free mobile apps to EarnIn’s calculators1, that can help you stay on top of your expenses and make your money work harder.
Why personal budgeting tools matter for working Americans
Personal budgeting tools are resources — digital or physical — that help track where your money goes each month. For hourly workers, parents juggling multiple expenses, or people paying down student loans, managing money with a budget can make a big difference.
Keeping tabs on expenses may reduce the risk of overdrafts, make it easier to prepare for emergencies, and create room to save for long-term goals. If you’re living paycheck-to-paycheck, these tools are less about complicated spreadsheets and more about clarity and peace of mind.
What should you look for in a personal budgeting tool?
When choosing a budgeting tool, keep these factors in mind:
- Ease of use and automation. If an app, spreadsheet, or other tool isn’t simple to navigate, you’re less inclined to use it.
- Cost (free vs. subscription). If you opt for a paid budgeting tool, be sure the cost is captured in the budget itself and that you can afford it.
- Ability to sync with your bank or income source. If you want a budget to automatically pull in expenses from various accounts or credit cards, be sure auto-sync is part of the features.
- Features like alerts, savings goals, or calculators. Make sure the budgeting tool you choose has the features you want. If granular tracking of savings goals is top of mind, find a tool that allows you to track those goals.
These criteria can also help you decide which tool from the list below best suits your needs.
7 types of personal budgeting tools that can track your expenses like a pro
1. Mobile banking apps with built-in expense tracking
Many banks now provide budgeting features within their own mobile apps, so you’re tracking expenses as you spend. You can often see spending broken down into categories like groceries or dining, set savings goals, and recurring charges — all without downloading anything extra.
Price range: Often free with your bank account
Examples:
Examples:
- Chase Mobile. Includes spending categories with simple charts.
- Wells Fargo Control Tower. Manages recurring subscriptions and payments.
2. Dedicated budgeting apps
If you want more than your bank’s app can provide, standalone budgeting apps offer advanced tools like zero-based budgeting or debt payoff tracking. They’re designed for people who want deeper insights into every dollar.
Price range: Free to $15/month
Examples:
Examples:
- YNAB (You Need a Budget). Focuses on zero-based budgeting ($14.99/month).
- EveryDollar. Free version or $79.99/year for premium.
3. Spreadsheet-based budget trackers
For those who like full control, spreadsheets offer endless customization. You can create a simple income-and-expenses sheet or use a prebuilt template. Automation tools can even import transactions directly from your accounts.
Price range: Free (DIY) or $79/year for automated services
Examples:
Examples:
- Google Sheets Budget Template. Easy to use and includes free starter sheets and basic templates.
- Tiller Money Feeds. Includes automated transaction syncing to your Google Sheets template (free trial, then $79/year).
4. Financial calculators
EarnIn’s free financial calculators1 are designed to give you a clearer picture of where your money is going. You don’t need an account to use them, and they’re built to address real-life needs for working Americans.
Price range: Free
Examples:
Examples:
5. Goal-based savings tools
Saving feels more achievable when you can tie it to a specific goal. Goal-based tools let you create separate “buckets” for different savings needs, like an emergency fund, vacation, or holiday shopping.
Price range: Free to $5/month
Example:
Example:
- Tip Yourself 2 by EarnIn. An FDIC-insured account to save for personal goals by creating up to five "tip jars" with no mandatory fees.
6. Expense-alert and overdraft-protection tools
Sometimes the best budgeting tool is one that can stop you from overspending in the first place. Expense alerts notify you before your account dips too low, while overdraft protection tools can automatically transfer money to cover shortfalls.
Price range: Free or small fees for transfers
Examples:
Examples:
- Balance Shield3 from EarnIn. Sends real-time low-balance alerts and can automatically transfer up to $100/day (subject to your available earnings).
- Bank-provided alerts. From most major banks; allows you to set balance thresholds and get notified when you’re getting close to them.
7. Community and gamified personal budgeting tools
Budgeting doesn’t have to be a solo effort, or a drag. Some apps make it social and even fun by allowing you to track spending as a couple, or gamify the process so it’s less like a chore and more like an activity.
Price range: Free to $10/month
Examples:
Examples:
- Honeydue. Designed for couples to share expenses and budgets.
- Zeta. Good for families or roommates managing joint finances.
How EarnIn helps support your budgeting goals
EarnIn's focus is on helping working Americans reduce financial stress and take control of their money. Here's a little about our community impacts4:
- 62% of EarnIn users report improved spending habits
- 58% say they can save more
- 81% experience less financial stress
- 58% budget more effectively
Explore how EarnIn can support your money goals with free calculators1, Tip Yourself2, Balance Shield3, and other tools built to make everyday budgeting a little easier.
FAQs
How often should you check your personal budgeting tools?
Most experts suggest at least weekly check-ins, but daily reviews may be even better for catching small expenses before they add up. Once you’ve been using a budgeting tool for a while and you feel comfortable following a budget, you may decide to drop back to monthly reviews.
Can you use multiple personal finance budget tools together?
Yes, you can use multiple tools together to create a holistic financial picture. For example, you can combine your bank’s built-in tracker with EarnIn’s budget calculator1 or spreadsheets for added clarity.
What’s the difference between expense tracking and budgeting?
Expense tracking shows where your money goes. Budgeting uses that information to plan how you’ll spend going forward. Both work best together.
How do you choose the right personal finance tools for budgeting?
Pick ones based on ease of use, cost, and features. Start with free options like mobile banking apps or EarnIn’s calculators1, then add more advanced tools if needed.
Please note, the material collected in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as or construed as advice regarding any specific circumstances. Nor is it an endorsement of any organization or services.
This Blog was sponsored by EarnIn. While the author received compensation, the information shared is grounded in independent research and intended to provide helpful and accurate guidance to readers.
EarnIn is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Cash Out product is provided exclusively by EarnIn. Certain bank products are provided by Evolve Bank & Trust and/or Lead Bank, Members FDIC. The FDIC insures deposits to protect your money in the event of a bank failure. More details about deposit insurance here. Additional services in the app are offered in partnership with trusted third parties.
1
The calculations provided are based on estimates and should be used for informational purposes only. Please be aware that comparisons may not be 100% accurate. The insights and data presented do not constitute financial advice, and we recommend consulting with a qualified financial advisor for personalized guidance.2
Tip Yourself Account funds and Tip Jars are held with Evolve Bank & Trust, Member FDIC and FDIC insured up to $250,000. Tip Yourself is a 0% Annual Percentage Yield and $0 monthly fee service deposit account. For more information/details visit Evolve Bank & Trust Customer Account Terms.The FDIC provides deposit insurance to protect your money in the event of a bank failure. More details about deposit insurance here.
3
Balance Shield provides free alerts when your bank account balance drops below the threshold you set in your EarnIn account. You can also enable automatic transfers ($100/day - subject to your available earnings - with a limit of $1,000/pay period), if your bank account balance falls below your set threshold. If your available earnings are insufficient to transfer the $100, the transfer will not be completed. You choose the speed of these automatic transfers. Standard speed is available at no cost and the transfer typically takes 1-2 business days. Lightning Speed is available for a fee [see Lightning Speed Fee Table] and the transfer typically takes less than 30 minutes. You will also have the option to set a tip for automatic transfers. Tips are optional and can be $0; however, if you choose to set a tip, it will be applied to each Balance Shield transfer. Whether you tip, how much, and how often you tip does not impact the quality and availability of services. You can cancel the alerts and/or transfers at any time in your EarnIn account settings. See the Cash Out User Agreement for more details. While Balance Shield can help you avoid overdrafts, it does not guarantee protection from third-party fees, and its effectiveness depends on your usage and bank activity.4
Based on EarnIn Survey of 1654 EarnIn Community Members 10/12/2023 - 11/15/2023.Popular articles
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