When it comes to finances, planning for the future can be an intimidating task for any couple. However, thanks to the rise of mobile apps, managing and organizing your finances as a couple has become more convenient than ever before. Whether you're saving for a big purchase, planning a budget, or investing for retirement, here are some top-notch apps that can help you take control of your financial future together.

1. Mint

Mint is a popular financial planning app that allows you to track your spending, create budgets, and view your overall financial health in real-time. With Mint, couples can link their individual bank accounts and credit cards to get a comprehensive overview of their combined finances. The app even provides personalized tips and insights to help you save money and meet your financial goals as a team.

If you're looking for an alternative to Mint, consider using PocketGuard or YNAB (You Need a Budget). PocketGuard focuses on tracking your spending and finding ways to cut down on unnecessary expenses. On the other hand, YNAB emphasizes budgeting and offers educational resources to help couples develop healthy financial habits.

2. Honeydue

Managing shared expenses can be a challenge for any couple. Honeydue simplifies this process by allowing you to easily track and split bills, create budgets, and sync your bank accounts. It even sends notifications and reminders to keep both partners on track with their financial obligations. Honeydue also offers a handy chat feature where couples can discuss and make decisions about their finances in one centralized place.

However, if you're seeking an alternative, consider using Splitwise or Zeta. Splitwise is perfect for couples who frequently split expenses with friends or roommates, as it allows you to create groups and track multiple shared bills. On the other hand, Zeta is designed specifically for couples and includes features such as joint accounts, shared goals, and personalized recommendations.

3. Acorns

Investing for the future is an essential part of any couple's financial plan. Acorns simplifies the process by automatically rounding up your everyday purchases and investing the spare change into a diversified portfolio. With its simple and user-friendly interface, Acorns makes investing accessible to couples of all financial backgrounds. Additionally, Acorns offers features such as recurring investments and cash back rewards to help you grow your savings effortlessly.

If Acorns doesn't quite meet your needs, consider exploring Stash or Robinhood. Stash offers personalized investment recommendations and educational resources, making it a great choice for couples who are new to investing. On the other hand, Robinhood is known for its commission-free trading and easy-to-use interface, providing couples with the opportunity to actively manage their investment portfolios.

4. Zillow

Planning for homeownership is a significant step for many couples. Zillow is a comprehensive app that allows couples to search for homes, view estimated home values, and connect with real estate agents. Additionally, Zillow provides mortgage calculators and personalized affordability estimates to help couples determine their budget and make informed decisions about their future home.

An alternate app to consider is Realtor.com. Like Zillow, Realtor.com provides an extensive database of homes for sale, but it also includes the option to search for rental properties and offers additional features such as crime maps and school ratings. Couples can choose the app that aligns best with their specific home-buying needs and preferences.

5. Wally

When it comes to tracking expenses and budgeting, Wally offers a simple and intuitive interface. It allows couples to manually input their income and expenses, set savings goals, and visualize their spending habits through informative charts and graphs. Wally also supports multiple currencies, making it a great option for couples who have diverse financial backgrounds or travel frequently.

If you're looking for an alternative budgeting app, consider using Goodbudget or EveryDollar. Goodbudget uses the envelope budgeting system, allowing couples to allocate their money into different virtual envelopes for specific spending categories. EveryDollar, created by financial guru Dave Ramsey, emphasizes zero-based budgeting and offers a guided approach to managing your finances effectively.

Conclusion

Managing finances as a couple can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. These apps mentioned above, including Mint for financial tracking, Honeydue for shared expense management, Acorns for investing, Zillow for home planning, and Wally for budgeting, provide couples with the tools they need to plan their future together effectively.

Remember, choosing the right app for your financial planning needs is crucial, so explore various options and consider the features and functionalities that align with your goals and preferences as a couple. With the help of these apps, you'll be well on your way to achieving financial stability and a prosperous future.

References

1. Hernández, D. A., Tumova, R., & Lynott, P. (2018). Honeydue: Exploring Design Opportunities for Bridging Financial Management between Romantic Partners. In Proceedings of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (p. 173). ACM.

2. Naslund, D. (2020). 12 Best Budgeting & Personal Finance Apps for Couples. Retrieved from:https://ourhomefromscratch.com/best-budgeting-apps-for-couples/

Explore your companion in WeMate