Best Budget and Money Management Apps

Times are hard. Whether you make a lot of money or you are barely making to the end of the month, keeping track of where your money is going is important. There are plenty of ways you can track and record your investments, spendings, etc. Since most of the time your smartphone is with you in your pocket, mobile apps are a great option to track everything.

There are plenty of apps available on the market and new arrivals pop up every week or so. Therefore, dividing good apps from poorly built ones can be a big problem. A good app can save you from the complexity of managing your personal finance life. It can show you specific problems with your finances like lack of savings, excessive credit card debts, spendings on things you don't use or need (gym memberships) or can help you with digitizing or editing your receipts.

Budgeting apps can be compared to Apple Watches where instead of tracking and reporting time and your heartbeat, your budget app will monitor your earnings and spendings. So the question is, which budget and money management apps are the best in class? We compiled a list of the ones we think are the most interesting, each having strengths of money management apps with some unique features that stand out.

Image to Word Converter

This is the best way to convert images of your receipts or other financial documents to MS Word right on your mobile device. Simply take a photo of your paper or onscreen document and the app will do its magic. It will convert it to editable MS Word document with ease. 

Powerful OCR engine is used for conversions so excellent text recognition and conversion quality are guaranteed. Most popular cloud service like iCloud, Dropbox and Google Drive are supported which means you can convert images directly from the cloud. Instead of using a scanner and then converting scans to editable files, let this app do the job for you and save you time in the process.

Price: Free

Available on: Android and iOS

Mint

There are barely any things not to like about the Mint app. The app seamlessly syncs to your bank account and tracks all your incomes and expenses. It creates personal budget tailored just for you, tracks all your bills and even provides notifications and alerts so you never miss out any payments. 

Mint regularly informs you about your credit score and provides you with special tips and strategy ideas on how to improve it without using a credit card. The app can work across many different financial platforms like brokerage or retirement savings account, your bank account, credit card account etc. And the best thing is, it's free to use.

Price: Free

Available on: Android and iOS

Acorns

Everyone knows that it is smart to invest some money, right? But it's often easier said than done. To save you time with finding great investment options, we decided to introduce you to the Acorns app. It is very similar to Qapital app. The only difference is that instead of saving a virtual change it took from your account, it reinvests it. 

This is the great way to start investing with literally no effort from your side. You simply set everything up and the app will do the rest. The app invests your money in the diversified investment portfolio of stocks and bonds that you own. Or you can choose to save money for retirement.

Price: Free

Available on: Android and iOS

PocketGuard

The name of the app is self-explanatory. Simply said, the app will save you from overspending. It links to all your financial accounts and track and compare your spendings to your monthly budget. It is very easy to set up the app and connect it to all your accounts. 

It will track your monthly income, savings, expenses, and bills. You even have an option to track specific bills and the app will help you find opportunities to save even more. For example, PocketGuard can look at bills from TV, cable or phone companies and try to find a better deal on your monthly services.

Price: Free

Available on: Android and iOS

Venmo

It is one of the best apps developed for splitting the cost of a bill with your friends. The service is similar to PayPal (which owns Venmo) but at the same time unique in its own way. It enables users to share and like payments through social media. Logically, the service is very popular with the millennial generation. 

This is how the app functions: if you want someone to pay you, you simply send them your personal QR code and they will then add you as a receiver. The transaction limit is $299.99 per week and for authorized merchant payments your limit is $2999.99 weekly.

Price: Free

Available on: Android and iOS

As you can see there are plenty of great apps in this space and it was really hard to choose 5 of the best. The key to succeed with money budgeting is to pick one or maybe more and stick to them. Learn how everything functions, apply it to your finances and reach desired goals.

Try To Trade The Market With A Balanced Trading System

Your trading performance works well when there are some proper plans ready. The environment has to be somewhat inspiring you in the process. Then the planning and strategies will be proper for trading. This is because a-relaxed mind works more efficiently. 

Unfortunately, traders will have to work for the proper environment of the trading business too. A retail account will not be okay for multiple traders to work in this business. So, the traders will have to manage their business procedures in such a way which can make good outcomes from the markets. 

In this article, we are going to talk on the topic of making the approaching plan for the trades right. The following parts will denote the necessary topics for the proper maintenance of your own trading profession. So, read it carefully and try to modify your own trading business accordingly.

You cannot take too much tension with a profit target

For all of the trades from your account, there will be proper preparations needed. The trades will be placed inside the markets and in between the trends as well as the major swings of the market. 

For that, the traders will have to prepare the proper condition of the trades. We are talking about the position sizing of the trades. Because it helps the traders with proper execution of the trades, it is very much necessary. If you forget about it any time in your career, there can be a good tragedy. 




Winning can be a sudden chance provided to you but it will not come all the time and not for all of the traders. The trends are uncertain for all of the traders. That is why the traders will have to stay organized so that they can take immediate actions for certain conditions of the markets.

Focus on premium trading environment

New traders in the United Kingdom don’t really understand why they should trade the market with a well-regulated broker. The low-end brokers will never give you the precise price feed. Most importantly they might scam you and you will have nothing to do. 

The moment you think to become a fulltime trader in the Forex trading industry is the very moment you should start working hard. Try to find a well-regulated broker like Saxo, so that you know you have access to the premium trading environment.

The market analysis with have to be proper for trades

Like the proper position sizing, traders will have to be good at doing the market analysis. Because trades are going to be placed in the markets based on the analogy of the markets. Basically, the trader’s will be ensuring the position sizing in the key swings and trends of the markets. 

For that reason, all of the traders will have to know about the proper analysis of the trends and swings. For that, you can take advantage of the support and the resistance points. They will be acting as the reference of the traders. Even there is a tool called based on the Fibonacci rule for your help. 

You will just have to learn how to use it for analyzing the past signals to understand the future of the markets.

Work with a very little risk which is easy to handle

For safety, traders will have to maintain the business with decent trading risks. Because the market’s volatility is very much uncertain for all of the traders. There is not a good sign for you to make money. But still, some pro traders happen to manage the proper trading performance with the right approach. That is possible when there will be very fewer risks to work with. The mind will not get any kind of pressure for trading. If you want to make every trades proper, this is a thing you should do in this profession.

3 Tips for Budgeting Around Insurance and Investments

As you look toward the future, setting up the right life insurance coverage while also saving and investing for retirement and other future plans are essential steps. For the most effective results from your planning efforts, both of these factors must receive adequate attention. 

Because they can impact your current budget significantly and because they are essential for the future, a closer look at how you can manage these items in your budget is in order.

Trim down Expenses

In order to pay for life insurance premiums on an adequate amount of coverage and in order to save and invest a suitable amount of money for the future, you may have enough cash available each month to contribute to these areas. 

A smart idea is to review your budget today to look for areas where you can cut back. For example, by updating and reviewing your budget carefully, you may determine that you should refinance your car loan or mortgage to set up more affordable monthly payments. In cash that is freed up in the process can be allocated toward insurance premiums and investments.

Assess Your Coverage Needs Periodically

While you understandably want to have enough life insurance coverage to provide for your loved ones in the event of your death, you also need to ensure that you are saving as much money for the future as possible. 




Assessing your coverage needs periodically may help you to avoid being over-insured. Remember that you can sell life insurance when needed. By doing so, you may use money that was previously allocated for insurance premium payments as retirement contributions instead.

Automate Payments and Contributions

Keeping up with insurance premium payments is critical. Failing to make payments can result in the cancellation of your coverage. Likewise, you may find it difficult to meet your financial goals for the future if you fail to make investment contributions regularly. 

With this in mind, it makes sense to set up automatic premium payments for all insurance policies. It is also a smart idea to make automatic retirement account contributions. Consider gradually increasing the amount of money that you contribute to your retirement account as needed.

Saving, investing and being properly insured are all essential for financial security in the future. Now is a great time to review your current coverage needs and financial goals. If you are falling behind on your goals, take steps to trim down your expenses so that you can properly prepare for the future.

What is a Life Settlement?

A life settlement is the sale of a life insurance policy. A life settlement is the selling of an existing life insurance policy to a third party for more than its cash surrender valuation but less than its net death benefit. In a life settlement deal, the policy's owner transfers ownership of the policy to the buyer in exchange for an immediate cash payment and, in some instances, a curtailed interest in the survivor benefit for the policy's beneficiaries. 

The purchaser of the policy pays all future premium payments and is given the survivor benefit upon the death of the insured (as soon as the policy matures).

What is a Viatical Settlement

A life settlement is dissimilar from a viatical settlement in that the individual insured on the policy has a longer life expectancy. In a viatical settlement, the life expectancy of the insured is 24 months or less.

Many American senior citizens-- generally those 70 years of age or older-- are finding that life insurance policies that once seemed necessary, have become unaffordable or no longer satisfy their needs.

Because of this, most seniors lapse or surrender their policy back to the insurance provider. Policies with more than $100 billion of face value are lapsed by seniors over age 65 each year, mostly because they are unaware an alternative might be offered-- including the sale of the policy.

Who Can Help?

It's usually best to consult with members of the Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA). Member companies are certified in all areas of the life settlement market; however, to initiate the sales process of your policy you need to work with a licensed life settlement broker or specialist like Mason Finance.

Life settlement brokers provide an essential function of guiding a policy owner through the sales process, including assembling the required information to finish the sale. Additionally, they look for competitive offers for a policy and provide guidance concerning the deal that best meets the needs of the client.

Life settlement companies purchase policies either through a life settlement broker or straight from consumer individuals for either their own account or on behalf of an investment firm. State regulations require that all policies are offered through a licensed life settlement provider.

Law firms, medical underwriters and other intermediaries serve specific requirements associated with the settlement process. LISA members yearly attest to sticking to a Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

Click Here - How Selling Your Life Insurance Policy Works

Discovering A Growing Vietnam

If you have never traveled to Vietnam, it is hard to imagine it as anything but a war-torn state. Even though the war that was fought there is over four decades past, the thought of visiting there would probably not be your first choice for a vacation spot. However, Vietnam has changed.

Today, Vietnam is working towards becoming a developed country by growing the economy, along with the other countries in and around Southeast Asia. They are achieving this by doing so in a productive and steadfast manner. The hope of Vietnam is that this will be more than a possible reality by the year 2020.

The Continuing Progress to a World Once Forgotten

In addition to the Vietnamese peoples' aspirations of future progress and growth, they do know that acquiring the continuing appeal that will make more people want to visit will need to be their focus. In order to continue to expand into a developing country, they will need businesses to come in and travelers to stay and spend money.

It is true that a lot of us may hesitate to visit a certain part of the world if we feel that the exchange of money will be difficult to understand. In Vietnam, the currency exchange is important when establishing their goal of becoming developed. 




When or if you decide to take a trip to Vietnam, you will be expected to pay in Vietnamese Dong. The dong has been the currency in Vietnam since 1978 and is thought of as an exotic currency, but is one of the currencies of this category with the greatest future potential. To understand it you will have to know the exchange rate between the dong (VND) and the dollar (USD). 

Here is a list that could help:

• ₫ 20000 (VND) is equal to $ 0.86 (USD)
• ₫ 800000 (VND) is equal to$ 34.44 (USD)
• ₫ 4000000 (VND) is equal to $ 172 (USD)
• ₫ 16000000 (VND) is equal to $ 689 (USD)
• ₫ 80000000 (VND) is equal to $ 3444 (USD)
• ₫ 160000000 (VND) is equal to $ 6887 (USD)

It could be that you are a business owner that would like to expand your business in places around the globe that are in this type of circumstance. By investing in the growth of Vietnam's industry, you could help yourself and the need of this developing country.

As the growth of Vietnam has reached great goals since 1986, it is, indeed, now moving more swiftly to greater expansion in business endeavors and in travel and hospitality ventures. So, if you are thinking about a trip to this up and coming area of the world, let's talk a little about the things to do and see while there.

The Town for Tourists is Hanoi

The most notable city to visit in Vietnam is Hanoi. There are plenty of historical places to see in this city, such as the very narrow streets of the Old Quarter. You will be surprised by all the extravagance of this city; fancy cuisine, shopping, and exciting nightlife.

Take a stroll to the Hoan Kiem Lake and stop to peek at the famous water puppet show, which is one of the oldest art forms of the Vietnamese people.

If you are into museums, the Ethnology Museum is also in the city of Hanoi. This museum displays old historical artifacts about Vietnam. You will learn many facts while marveling at the beautiful Vietnamese culture.

After a tour around town, you may want to spend one of your days relaxing by the water. Halong Bay is a perfect serenity spot. Landscaped with limestone islands and many coves to explore, you will, no doubt, have a day of captivating fun when visiting this bay. Swimming, diving, and kayaking are also offered on this excursion.

Book Your Trip to Vietnam and Be a Part of Progress

As you can tell, Vietnam has rapidly picked up their pace through the years and has put in an impressive effort to compete with the global world. Since Vietnam started in a poverty-ridden climate, it has been a slower process to catch up and be noticed. Even so, this spot on the map is expanding at a faster rate with no intentions of slowing down.

So, what do you say? Will you contribute to Vietnam's growth? Whether it be touring the great towns and bays or exploring business ventures, the people of Vietnam will welcome you.

4 Techniques for Financial Success That Will Surprise You

The secrets to financial success are not actually that secret. They can simply just be difficult to achieve. These four surprising techniques for financial success will put your finances on the right track.

Invest

Investing is a very practical skill and how most people with significant amounts of money got rich. Its sheer influence over financial success is what will surprise you. There are many different kinds of investments you will need to understand, including stocks, funds, bonds, and more. Know your risk tolerance. 

Remember that, in most cases, you don’t lose or gain any money until you actually withdraw investments and that values will change over time. To be successful at investing you will have to take the time and learn how it works to make the best possible decisions.

Save for Retirement Early

Many, many people neglect their retirement savings. Would it surprise you to learn that just about every age group has far too little in retirement savings? You will likely not be able to live on social security alone when you retire. 




Take advantage of any employer-sponsored retirement savings accounts from the moment you get your first job. You can also utilize investments, outlined above, to grow your retirement savings so you can enjoy your golden years while having enough money to live on.

Watch Your Credit

Your credit rating and score are essentially a history of your financial reliability. Credit checks are done in a large variety of circumstances, including by landlords, mortgage companies, insurance companies, and employers. 

Odd things such as closing accounts, not utilizing credit, credit reporting errors, and getting parking tickets can affect your credit score. If your credit is poor, there are ways you can improve it, including fast credit repair services, working hard, and budgeting well to get your finances back on track.

Budgeting

Perhaps the single best thing you can do to achieve financial success is to have a budget and stick to it. Doing so means you are less likely to overextend yourself by borrowing more than you can afford. 

It will help you set up good financial habits such as paying all bills on time and putting a little into savings each month. While budgeting is hardly a surprising financial tip, its effectiveness certainly is.

In most cases, financial success comes from using the money you do have wisely. These tips may not be revolutionary but they will surprise you in their effectiveness. Don’t make your financial situation more complicated than it needs to be. With a solid foundation of good practices, you can achieve financial success over the course of your life.