2010 is over and this new year, the nation is still digging out from one on the worst financial crises in history. So, it doesn't take a genius to figure out what the number on financial New Year's resolution is this year.
If you guessed “Getting out of debt”, then you are exactly right. In fact, a survey by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling found that nearly 70% of people polled mentions getting out of debt as their resolution for the New Year.
But, the truth of the matter is that resolutions can be difficult to keep. Experts say that in order to make change, you have to be motivated, have someone hold you accountable and have real, measurable results. Sounds easy enough. But, when it comes to finances, it isn't easy to find someone to help you keep focus. Nevertheless, if you want to keep your resolution, don't panic. There is an app for that. Actually, there are several, and they can help you get a handle on your money and give you new ways to save.
Take a look at these 5 apps that can help you keep your financial resolutions:
- Mint.com (Free) – Mint.com will allow you to keep tabs on your budget, your bills, your investments and your bank account. The easy to understand format makes it easy to track your monthly budget and see how much of it you have already spent. You can create charts that track your income vs. expenses and can give you a great idea of your spending habits. It is available for the iPhone and Android phones.
- BillMinder ($0.99) – Keeping up with the due dates of your bills can be a challenge. It is easy to get busy and forget a due date. Then, of course, you get hit with the large late fees. BillMinder can help you organize your bills, mark them as paid and even has a calender to remind you of which bills are due when. It is available for iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry.
- GasBuddy ($2.99) – With gas prices getting higher, many of us really need to find ways to get the cheapest gas possible. With GasBuddy, you just put in your zip code or city name, and you can get a list of gas stations in your area, along with their current prices. In addition, you can click on a gas station and find out what amenities they offer, like a convenience store, an ATM and if they are open 24 hours.
- ATM Hunter (Free) – ATM fees can end up seriously cutting into your budget. This app from MasterCard will map out the ATMs in your area to help you find ones that belong to your bank. This way, you won't have to get stuck with another ATM fee. The app is available only for the iPhone.
- Coupon Sherpa (Free) – With this free app, you can search for coupons by category or by store and then find the nearest store location. You also have the option to save the coupon to your favorites and use it later. When you get to the register, all you have to do is have the cashier scan the barcode on your phone, and ta-da! You just saved some money. This app is available only for the iPhone.
Keeping your financial goals can be a lot of work, but it is certainly worth it. One of the hardest parts is overcoming the idea that money matters and finances have to be boring and painful. With so many fun and easy apps designed to help you keep an eye on your spending and help you save up for bigger rewards, it is easier than ever.
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By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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