Any recommendations on money management apps like Mint/YNAB/Personal Capital for a recent college grad? Just starting to look into them and I'm curious what other people in a similar position use

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

Strong vote for YNAB - it provides incredible clarity on my spending trends and where money goes. Mint sells your personal information and that was a huge turnoff for me.

likesmart

If BCG uses YNAB then I need to use YNAB and then maybe I can join BCG

funnylike

Excel I’ve been running myself for 6 years - it keeps me honest every Monday when I have to input my spending for the week rather than collating.

likehelpful

For those looking for templates - I never found one I loved so I kind of smushed together a few from Reddit - fire and personalfinance have a few.

Basically, every year gets two worksheets, one for daily spending broken down by the month as well as card/account I used and categories that make sense for my life (grocery, types of eating out whether bar coffee dining fast casual etc, clothes, health, charity, gifts, babies) with a vlookup function and then one for summary of where money goes (categories dumped into spending, paychecks, monthly auto transactions, bonuses) broken down by money in and money out and then total for the month.

The 20th of every month I go through and update a worksheet that tracks current status of all of my accounts - card balances, bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement, 529s for both kids, espp - and I get the total networth versus how much money I can actually touch if anything happens. Those numbers I’ve tracked on a chart and I’m just waiting for that exponential growth curve to start shooting up.

That being said, it is not that impressive nor difficult to throw together based on our skills. What makes it useful to me is that I made it work for me

like
Recent IconRecent

I use Mint. Good way to keep an eye on things from 10,000 feet and dive in where needed without having to be as meticulous as YNAB

like

Ditto - just hit a million dollars on net worth in Feb - all thanks to the discipline that Mint helped with without having to do much

I like personal capital

like

I am also on Mint. At a high level, i have heard that mint is better for budgeting, personal capital is better at investment tracking.

like

+1 for YNAB. Wish I would have started using it ages ago. Worth the steep learning curve.

like

Another vote for YNAB... I'm a big fan.

like

Apps take the fun out of it. Excel has plenty of great templates that you can modify to your own liking. Mine has evolved drastically over the course of one year. I check it once or twice a month, maybe more if I'm trying to hit financial goals.

Apps may be good if you start adding credit cards and brokerage accounts. But a key to financial management is you actually manually inputting your expenses to get a feeling of what your spending or blowing your money on.

Sharing a template is almost cheating you out of your financial knowledge experience. "Richest man in Babylon" & "Think and grow rich" are great books for financial. You didn't ask for book recommendations but these books are so great i want everyone to know about them.

like

I love YNAB. Used it since 2013 (it has evolved but still love it). Great for budgeting. Also use Personal Capital but for me that's more for tracking net worth.

like

Same here. YNAB is for monthly cash flow and accruing for bigger annual expenses; Personal Capital is for net worth, asset allocation, tax efficient-investing, etc. PC has a budget tool but it’s crude compared to YNAB, not on the same level at all. Together, they’re pretty powerful.

YNAB?

like

You Need A Budget. It's a budgeting app

like

Since your just starting out, I think the manual and meticulous nature of YNAB helps to learn budgeting from the ground up. Id also recommend true bill connected to some of your spending accounts which will does a good job of tracking subscriptions and recurring expenses -- it's not hard too lose track. Lastly, personal capital to help keep an eye on your wealth. They will grow with you start to grow your wealth and can even provide financial planning.

like

I love mint! Haven’t used the others but mint is very straightforward and easy to use!

like

Been using Mint since last 8 years. Tried many but always switched back.

like

Did Mint, now on YNAB. Favorite feature is the income vs expense report. It’s basically like a little monthly income statement. Can’t get it in Mint. Very easy to do in excel as well.

like

Mint is Mint ...use it alot

Mint as a fresh grad - great app

Mint

I love personal capital!

Personally, got out of grad school in 2011 and started using Mint in 2012. Does not matter which app you use among the 3 to be honest, it comes down to personal comfort over time with an app. If you start using one, make sure you are comfortable with the app’s security, its features and your budget/ networth traceibility - welcome to personal financial management!

I have personal capital, so far have really liked it

Related Posts

LTI Hiring # JAVA #Python#Informatica#DOTNET#QA Automation testing

Let me know if you are interested.

Post Photo
like

Hi guys, I am looking for data scientist/ machine learning engineer role. I am a fresher and looking for opportunities. Can anyone refer me for entry level data scientist/ machine learning jobs.
Thanks

like

What is the dollar amount you're willing to take more to go back to 5 days a week, 8 to 5 in office?
1. From fully remote job / position / condition
2. From 2 days in 3 days remote condition / position / job

like

Currently in IR and want to move to a better work life balance role....maybe engineering. Do engineers get paid more than responders/analyst? Looking to get the AWS SAA and maybe try to squeeze my way into a cloud sec role since i have about a year of AWS exp.

like

Hi all,

I have joined Startup from Denmark - but they are using Out-Dated Process and Indian Team politics is reaching their level, Company yet not in the position of good sales due to Faulty product - developments are going, what should I do in this case - leave the job or continue it to improve stability on the resume??? It’s been 9 months now

Please help to understand here.

like

I’m curious how other small and midsized firms are structured. Board of directors or executive leadership group? What types of officers and what do they do? Practice group leaders? A firm administrator? Firm development or marketing role? board size in proportion to number of partners etc. ?? We are about 25 attorneys but growing

like

What is your saving strategy? Anyone using a whole life policy as a way to steadily build value in addition to basic savings and higher risk options such 401k and stocks/bonds?

like

DBS is hiring women who wants professional comeback/restart career.

DM me for referral

Post Photo
like

Hi Fishes,

How is the life in Pwc ? I've got cleared 1st tech round for the position of Senior QA engineer manual. May I know what are the next rounds? And how is work life balance in Pwc? Job security?

Thanks in advance.

like

Thoughts on renters insurance? My building doesn’t require it but companies like Lemonade offer decent prices. I’m wondering if it’s worth some peace of mind

like

Are any top consulting firms hiring for experienced analysts currently? I know ACN and some others are cyclical for resources 2-3 years out of college, but I’m looking to make a move sooner than fall

like

Hi! Does anyone know what the State and Local Tax Associate salary at PwC in the NYC office (remote role) should be? Helpful if other big4 with same group can respond as well so I can gauge. Thanks!

like
like

Hi Fishes,
I am an immediate joiner looking for referral for the role of java developer. Today is my Last working day in Wipro.
YOE : 3
Stack : java
CCTC : 5.5 LPA
ECTC: 10 - 13LPA
Thanks in advance!

like

Currently in the cloud space. When is a good time to exit consulting? Goal is to become a tech lead in a mid to large size corporate. Thanks.

like

Hi fishies! I just got recruited for an AE position at HubSpot. Anyone else here work for them? Do they pay well? Are the quotas realistic?

like

Joining BNP Paribas for role of Senior BA in bangalore, is the Bangalore office new? How many employees are there? How is company culture? Management etc, I had other offers from societe generale and hsbc similar offer but in hsbc the role was of a manager in compliance risk analytics domain, bnp is in trade and investment banking domain, I choose bnp, was it a good choice?

like

I’m a home infusion nurse previously with CVS looking to get into clinical project management. Have PM skill set, just no experience. Anyone have advice on who’s hiring entry level? Any advice in general? It’s rather competitive out there

like

I wish “reply all” were not an option. I don’t need to fill my inbox with every detail of every position on my team.

like

More Posts

Could really use some kind words today. We had to say goodbye to our sweet girl on Saturday. She had severe pancreatitis and just couldn't bounce back. She was so sweet and affectionate, never met a person whose lap she didn't want to sit on. Feeling a lot of guilt that we should have tried harder before making the decision to put her to sleep. Maybe she could have bounced back if we had just waited. We miss her terribly. She loved us so much and I'm just really struggling today.

Post Photo
like

How much time does ACN take to send revised offer letter after negotiating CTC & confirming new CTC over mail? I hope they send revised OL soon!

like

Hi All..

Any idea why Accenture schedules managerial round after HR call?

Note: I got call from HR after clearing technical round but HR is not okay with the expected CTC I quoted so they kept my profile on hold for few days and on Thursday they asked to upload documents again put my candidature on hold again after managerial round.

like

The Green is Mesmerizing

Post Photo
like

Left my Big4 job in India to move to a smaller firm in London, wanting to move back to a Big4 in London, sounds possible ?
Worked in front office treasury and optimisation services while in Big4.

like

Flutter Developer at Kellton Tech

Post Photo

Director of Corp Dev and FP&A over a team of four role for a tech company in the LMM space (Sub $100mm Rev). Sponsor backed. What should total comp be? Ex IB

like

Experienced candidate.I have done with interview.Got selection mail and submitted documents.How much time @techmahindra will take to release offer. Any chance do they drop/ignore or change decisions. Tech Mahindra

I feel stuck in a hopeless relationship. I don’t trust them anymore (infidelity issues). I need courage to leave.

like

Any good spots in Vegas to drink whiskey? Not really looking to bottle hunt?

Thought for fun .. It’s been noticed that Amex folks do not respond to queries like “benefits at Amex” , “annual hikes at Amex” and so… Is it true guys ???

likefunny

American moving to london soon … is £1000 a month on rent reasonable with flat mates?

like

What is the salary range for career level 7IC ,6IC and 5IC?

I applied for my DREAM job almost 2 weeks ago, but I haven’t received a response to my application. Should I send a follow up email? I want to stand out and be noticed by the company without coming off as desperate.

like

Considering returning to Deloitte as Sr. Mgr. Can anyone advise the salary range for Commercial Privacy and Cybersecurity role based in DC but is a national resource? M.A., certs, 23 yrs work exp.

like

Hey guys! I wanted to share #HoldThePRess which is an initiative, inspired by #PullUpForChange and 600 and Rising, holding the PR industry accountable for recruiting and cultivating Black talent at all levels. The website with more info and to sign on in support is holdthe-press.com and you can sign whether you are Black or an ally. Also, we are planning on presenting the asks and demands to agencies in the coming weeks and will be sharing via the website and on IG: @holdthe_press.

likehelpful

Hi I am a care coordinator for a big insurance company. I recently graduated with my MSN LM and want to transition into the business side, analytics most likely.. I have no specific job experience with analytics. Is this a deal breaker when applying to these jobs that “require experience in analytics”

like
like

Additional Posts in Consulting

What’s the deal on this Deloitte SC = Accenture M situation? Have heard versions where this is known fact and versions where this is considered nonsense. Recruiters are reaching out and I’m trying to gauge whether it’s worth exploring. SC in EP at Deloitte - thank you in advance!

like

Starting a new job next week. How soon is too soon to ask for tuition reimbursement? 😅

like

going to be alt-traveling to Detroit at least once a month. need living accommodations once my marriott points inevitably run out. is Airbnb my best option?

like

Where and what’s for dinner tonight 🐟?
Eating alone in Wichita.

Post Photo
likesmart

I miss the corporate welfare of all my free mealz

Post Photo
likefunnysmartuplifting

For those with kids: any correlation to you as a parent traveling and your toddler/pre-Schooler acting out at school? Any recs?

Which line of services hires data scientists? What is the career path like?

like

Any female 🐠 in San Francisco looking to grab a drink?

likefunny

Is there anyone who’s experienced helping their parents get health insurance? Specifically, they aren’t eligible for Medicare, make too little to qualify for ACA subsidies, and cannot get employer-provided insurance. Only option is to pay standard premiums - and if that ultimately is the case, fine. Not trying to find loopholes, but given their low-income, would be nice to know if there are programs I’m not finding in my rsch.

like

Is there a professional way to ask for more notice before traveling? Or don’t bother with it? Last time I traveled it was less than 2 wks notice, made it hard to book the travel/make personal arrangements.

funnylike
like

Learned that I’ll be laid off next week. Setting up networking meetings now to find something new, but know it will take time. How do you explain a lay off or gap in employment to potential employers?

like

Please travel gods. Put the only hot girl on my flight next to me 🙌🏻

like

In March I bought a mobile game to pass the time & I’ve become low key obsessed with it. Like PLEASE...I need someone to TAKE AWAY MY PHONE. Why do I keep spending real money on god damn energy! 😂😂

funnylike

Anyone got pwc mobileiron installed on their personal ipads? Is it even worth it?

like

Managers -- do you prioritize project or sales work more? Senior Mgrs -- what did you prioritize?

like

I've worked at the same engineering firm for 4 years. I'm currently making $161k with only a $750 bonus, but excellent vacation (4 weeks, cash out anytime, rolls over indefinitely), 45 hours a week. I have an interview with a recruiter at Guidehouse this week for a Technical Project Manager role. It seems to be focused in the government space and requires a security clearance. What sort of salary and benefits could I expect for this sort of role at Guidehouse?

like

Someone I worked a couple projects and had little respect for is now at McK. I now have less respect for their "prestige".

funnylike

Best technical skills and learning opportunities for corporate finance?

- VBA, SQL, Python (Coursera/LinkedIn Learning)
- Quant (R)
- Hyperion or other apps (work)
- CFA study (books)

like

What’s up my consulting fishes!! Manager at Accenture, and really enjoy the HC, Org Analytics, CM, Org Design side of things.

I’d like to continue building my skillset here and venture into product development to facilitate strat consulting for the areas above (sorry for the buzzwords).

In this case, is an MBA required to succeed or progress to the MD, partner, C Suite level? Or should I grind my way through the industry given my interests are so pointed?

Would love a convo and/or guidance.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal