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Tag: Budgeting

  • Best Budgeting Apps for Beginners in 2025

    Best Budgeting Apps for Beginners in 2025

    A young Indian adult managing expenses on a mobile budgeting app

    Not long ago, managing money meant writing numbers in a notebook, scratching your head, and still wondering kaha gaya paisa? But now, with so many useful apps, things are changing. Especially in 2025, budgeting is not some big, boring task. It’s more like helping yourself make sense of your income — in a few taps.

    If you’re someone who’s just started earning or trying to control expenses, these apps can really make life easier. And no, you don’t need to be a maths expert.

    Why Budgeting Apps Matter (Especially Now)

    Whether you’re a college student sharing rent with 3 roommates or someone earning their first salary and trying not to finish it by the 10th — these apps bring one big thing: clarity.

    They help you:

    • Know exactly where your money is going
    • Create simple categories like Food, Fuel, Rent, Netflix
    • Get alerts before you go over budget
    • Set small goals like “save ₹1000 this month”
    • Some apps even tell you where you can cut back

    You don’t have to write down everything or guess anymore. It’s all in your phone, updated in real-time.

    Top Budgeting Apps (That Even Lazy People Can Use)

    You don’t need motivation, you just need one good app that fits your routine. Here are some options that are beginner-friendly, and work even if you’re not great with numbers.

    1. Mint – All-in-One Tracker

    Mint has been around for a while, but now it’s become smarter. You link your accounts, and it shows where your money’s going — rent, petrol, Amazon shopping, all of it.

    Best for: People who want everything in one screen

    Good things:

    • ✅ Free to use
    • ✅ Tracks your expenses automatically
    • ✅ Shows your credit score too

    Not-so-good: Bit of ads, and sometimes it hangs

    2. YNAB (You Need A Budget) – For the Serious Planner

    This app teaches you how to plan your income. Like, not just what you spent — but how to use your money properly. Very good if you want to save for a trip, loan, or anything big.

    Best for: Those who want full control

    Good things:

    • ✅ Teaches good habits
    • ✅ Syncs across phone, tablet, PC
    • ✅ Encourages saving for goals

    Not-so-good: ₹750 per month — not cheap, but useful if you stay consistent

    3. Goodbudget – Digital Version of ‘Envelopes’

    Your mom or dad probably used the envelope method — keep ₹3000 for groceries, ₹2000 for petrol, etc. This app does the same, just inside your phone.

    Best for: Cash users, or those who prefer to enter things manually

    Good things:

    • ✅ Simple UI
    • ✅ Good for offline use

    Not-so-good: No automatic tracking — you’ll need to update yourself

    4. PocketGuard – “Can I Spend or Not?”

    If your main question is: “Can I buy this right now or better wait?” — this app is perfect. It calculates what’s left after bills, so you know how much is safe to spend.

    Best for: Daily money decisions

    Good things:

    • ✅ Very clean layout
    • ✅ Smart pocket feature — tells how much is safe to spend

    Not-so-good: Less flexible with categories

    5. Walnut – Made in India, Made for India

    This one feels like it was made for people like us. It reads your bank SMS and shows where your money is going. You don’t need to type anything — it auto-updates everything.

    Best for: Indian users who want easy, automatic tracking

    Good things:

    • ✅ No account linking — just SMS
    • ✅ Shows how much you spent on Zomato, Uber, etc.
    • ✅ Monthly summaries, bill reminders

    Not-so-good: Not many advanced features — but for beginners, it’s great

    How to Choose the Right One for You

    Every app has its style. Some are simple, some are more advanced. So before choosing, just think:

    • Do you want to update things manually, or let the app do everything?
    • Are you okay linking your bank account, or prefer offline?
    • What’s your goal — just track spending, or also start saving?
    • Will you actually use the app weekly?

    Try one app for 15–20 days. If it doesn’t suit you, switch. But give it time.

    Budgeting Tips That Work (From Real Life)

    Before you start using any app, remember a few small things:

    • Don’t over-plan: Start by tracking 2-3 basic things — income, bills, and fun spends
    • Be honest: If you spent ₹500 on pizza, write it down. Don’t skip.
    • Check once a week: Set a reminder for Sunday night — just 10 mins
    • Keep it real: Saving ₹300 is still better than saving nothing
    • Give yourself a reward: Save something → treat yourself (but in budget!)

    Final Words – Budgeting Isn’t Boring, It’s Just You Taking Charge

    Nobody’s saying you need to become a financial guru. But knowing where your money is going is a life skill. These apps don’t make you rich — they help you stay smart.

    So whether you’re trying to save for a trip, or just avoid going broke by the 25th, start with one small habit — and one simple app. You’ll thank yourself later.

  • How I Paid Off $20,000 Debt in One Year — My Honest Journey

    How I Paid Off $20,000 Debt in One Year — My Honest Journey

    A young adult holding up a ‘Debt Free’ sign with a big smile

    The Moment I Woke Up

    Let me tell you clearly — clearing $20,000 debt in one year wasn’t easy at all. I didn’t get any shortcut, no family support, and no fancy job with lakhs of salary.
    One day I realised I was spending around $600 every month just on credit card interest. That’s when it hit me — I was not living, just surviving.
    That night, I took out all the papers and bills. Credit card statements, loan documents, everything. It was all there in front of me. I looked at it and said, “This cannot go on like this. It has to end.”

    Step 1: Facing the Real Numbers

    I sat down and wrote everything. Every debt I had, how much it was, what the interest rate was, and when the payment was due.

    Here’s what it looked like:

    • Credit Card A – $7,800 at 22% interest
    • Credit Card B – $5,400 at 18%
    • Personal Loan – $4,200 at 10%
    • Car Loan – $2,600 at 7%

    Altogether, around $20,000. Seeing it on paper was scary, but at least now I knew what I was dealing with.

    Step 2: Making a Budget That Actually Worked

    I checked my last three months’ bank statements to see where all my money was going.

    And I was shocked. I was spending too much on food delivery — almost $450 per month. Then I noticed subscriptions I didn’t even remember signing up for. And many unnecessary online shopping orders.

    So, I made a strict budget. Every rupee I earned had to go somewhere useful — either for bills, loan payments, or basic needs.

    I made tough decisions:

    • Cancelled all extra subscriptions
    • Stopped ordering food except once a month
    • Sold my gaming console
    • Started cooking every Sunday for the week

    Cutting things was painful, but it was necessary.

    Step 3: Choosing the Right Debt Method

    I looked up different ways to pay off debt. Two main ones kept coming up:

    • Snowball method – pay the smallest loan first
    • Avalanche method – pay the highest interest loan first

    I went with Avalanche. Why? Because that 22% credit card was draining my income every month. So, I paid minimum amounts on all debts, and whatever extra money I had, I put it on the costliest one.

    Step 4: Not Just Saving – I Found Ways to Earn More

    There’s only so much you can cut. At some point, you need more income. So I tried different things:

    • Took small writing jobs on weekends
    • Delivered food part-time
    • Sold old gadgets and clothes
    • Bought used furniture online, fixed it, and sold it for profit

    In my best months, I was making $600 to $800 extra. That money went straight to debt payments.

    Step 5: Staying on Track Without Losing My Mind

    Debt is not only about numbers — it’s a mental game. Some nights, I felt like giving up. I wanted to travel, or just spend for fun. But I reminded myself — this is temporary.

    I stuck notes around my room with reminders like:
    “Debt-Free = Freedom”
    “You’ll thank yourself later”

    These small things helped me stay focused.

    The Day I Made the Final Payment

    After 12 months, I sent the last payment. It felt unreal. I didn’t cry out of sadness — I cried because I finally felt peace.
    No more calls from banks. No more fear of checking my account. For the first time in years, I felt free.

    What I Learned — And What Might Help You Too

    If you are in debt right now, I’m not here to give big lectures. Just some things I learned the hard way:

    • Face your debts. Hiding won’t help.
    • Cut your spending, but also try to earn more.
    • Choose a method that works for you — there’s no one right way.
    • Track your progress, even if it’s slow.
    • Celebrate small wins — but within your budget.

    Final Thoughts

    Being in debt feels like you’re stuck in one place while the world moves on. But with the right plan, steady effort, and some patience — you can come out of it.
    I’m not special. If I could do it, so can you.