Money might not be able to buy happiness, but a lack of it can sure bring a whole lot of misery. If you’re willing to spend a few bucks sensibly in the App Store, sticking to a budget will be easier, and you’ll be flashing that several-hundred-dollar smile in no time.
Before you can work out your monthly budget, you’ll need to map out your expenses, starting with recurring bills. For complete control of your financial burdens—including a sortable calendar, cloud syncing, and due-date notifications—grab your unpaid bills, a copy of BillMinder ($1.99 iPhone, $4.99 iPad) and start inputting.
BillMinder gives you a heads up on upcoming bills.
As your financial picture starts to come into focus, you’re going to have to get down and dirty. Take stock of all your serious obligations (credit cards, school and car loans, iMac financing) and let Debt Payoff Pro ($0.99, universal) work its magic. Just plug in your balance, rates, and minimum payments, and it’ll calculate a target payoff date, complete with how much you’re wasting on interest. That should get you motivated to pay them off as quickly as you can.
Debt Payoff Pro puts your debt problem in sharp focus.
Finally, when it’s time to put it all together, Ace Budget ($1.99, iPhone) will expertly blend your red and black ink and show you what’s left. Assuming there’s something, take that number and bring it over to Pennies ($2.99, iPhone) to fill up your spending tank. And the next time you have a craving for a caramel macchiato, you’ll know if your gauge is on empty before your bank has to find out.
For an at-a-glance answer to “Can I afford this?” Pennies is aces.
