Whenever I visit my accountant, he makes a point of saying how sharp I am about money. So you can imagine how shocked he was after he asked me for copies of some statements recently and my response was, “Really? You want me to dig through all my files?”

Aside from the embarrassment, this incident made me realize that I didn’t really know how much I was actually spending each month or how my investments were doing. I wanted to know for myself—as long as it didn’t involve going through file after file.

There’s a less painful approach: personal finance apps. These easy downloads transform all of your financial bills and expenses into one big picture that makes sense. No fuss, no mess and absolutely no misplaced information! Here are three of my top picks:

1. Check: An app that watches out for you

When you have so many bills to track and so little time, count on Check. With clear, colorful graphics, this user-friendly app tracks exactly what’s coming in and out of your accounts. It even has a “file cabinet” feature that stores old bank statements, something I really could have used during my last visit to the accountant. Formally called Pageonce, Check is free to use and has apps for iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows phones. It’s also got a number of other nice perks that make it stand out:

• It sets up quickly and easily.
• Once you link to your accounts (bank, credit card, loan and investment), you’ll see a snapshot of your entire financial picture on your dashboard.
• View individual transaction details in any account with just a tap.
• Link to accounts for your expenses such as electric service, phone or cable, and Check lets you know how many days are left until each bill is due. Pay in real time from your phone, or set up future bill payments.
• Track and organize spending with easy-to-use tools.
• Receive alerts when account funds are low to avoid overdraft fees. 

2. Level Money: Circle your goals

Sometimes life gets so hectic that dealing with too many details becomes a deal breaker. So deal with three. Level Money is a brand new, secure app that simplifies your finances into three circles: today, this week and this month. Each circle has one number, the money spent in that period, as well as a fill-up graphic. The circle turns gradually more orange the more you spend. When completely filled, you have spent the maximum you allowed. In the meantime, it can really help you budget.

To start, you just link to your bank and credit card accounts and enter your savings goals. After setup, the simple three-circle graphic is the main page that you’ll see, but when adjusting or looking at expenses, more details can easily be explored on the app. You can make changes to your income, savings goals and recurring bill info at any time.

3. Expensify: Expenses recorded easily

If you deal with expense reports every month—whether as an individual contractor, a small business owner, an employee or otherwise—this free app will make your life that much easier. Available for iOS, Android and Windows phones, Expensify tracks spending as you would expect from any decent financial app, but it’s got some extra features fit for small business and personal money management:

• Track time spent on personal projects.
• Scan up to 10 receipts free per month. (After that it’s 20 cents per receipt.)
• Generate expense reports.
• Enter mileage and track miles traveled automatically with GPS.
• Get real-time flight updates.
• Analyze spending with full-color graphs and charts.
• Customized labels and comments help organize your expenses.

Whatever your financial situation and lifestyle, there’s a great financial app out there to help you or your small business manage your money. And now that I’ve finally got a real grip on my finances, maybe I won’t need to run to my accountant so often. With all the money I’m saving, I think I’ll treat myself to a mango bubble tea with lunch (and not feel guilty after)!

Meet Allie Rice

Alexandra Rice is a writer who loves talking about all things education. After living in the Mid-Atlantic, South and Midwest, she has finally settled down out West in San Francisco. When not thinking about education, Alexandra can be found at the beach, playing with one of the many dogs at her office, or searching for the perfect cup of coffee. Catch her on Twitter day or night at @Alexandra_Rice.

 

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