Page 32 - BusinessWest April 3, 2023

you know if you’re approaching those limits.” Besides those budgeting features, Nerdwal-
let notes, Mint may help users pay down debt, save more money, and track goals, while show- ing users their credit score and net worth. As a bonus, Mint provides plenty of support for using the app, including a detailed FAQ.
As its name notes, You Need a Budget, or YNAB, earns top grades from Investopedia because of the company’s renowned budget-
ing philosophy and reputation. YNAB says new budgeters typically save $600 in their first two months and more than $6,000 in their first
year. It includes customizable reports that break down the user’s income and expenses by cat- egory, account, and time frame, with the aim of helping users get their finances in order.
“YNAB allows you to sync your bank
accounts, import your data from a file, or manu- ally enter each transaction,” the site adds. “After signing up, you create your first budget and
assign every dollar a purpose, such as your rent or car payment. The goal is to eventually get
at least one month ahead, so you’re spending money you earned 30 days ago. The company offers extensive educational resources and cus- tomer support to keep you on track.”
For investors, Forbes recommends Empower (formerly Personal Capital) for its outstanding reporting options, desktop capabilities, invest- ment-management platform and spending track- ing. Empower gives a holistic view of customers’ entire financial picture, from day-to-day spending to tracking portfolio performance.
“The app has several savings tools designed
to help build retirement savings and emergency funds and pay down debt,” the publication adds. “It also has excellent advisory tools, including an investment checkup, investment-fee analyzer, financial planning, cash-flow tracking, education cost planning, and real-time net-worth track-
ing. All of these tools give detailed insights into your current financial picture, while also helping you plan for the future. The list of features may sound overwhelming, but the app is easy to use.”
Meanwhile, CNBC sings the praises of Pock- etGuard, which, among other features, tak-
ing into account the user’s estimated income,
upcoming expenses, and savings goals, and uses an algorithm to show how much is available for everyday spending. The app categorizes expens- es; syncs to bank accounts and credit cards; and boasts security features like bank-level encryp- tion, PIN codes, and biometric IDs.
Beyond the Workout
Moving beyond financial wellness to physical wellness, countless apps are available to offer information on what to eat, how to exercise, and how to stay committed to better habits.
Forbes recommends FitOn, which offers
a wide variety of workouts, including cardio, strength, high-intensity interval training, dance, yoga, Pilates, Barre, and more. It even features workouts led by celebrities like Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough, and Jonathan Van Ness. Classes are available in real time with the app’s live classes feature or through on-demand workouts.
With a live leaderboard and real-time heart rate tracking via Apple Watch, users can track
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32 APRIL 3, 2023
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