The political measures of the last two years have had a significant impact on Spanish society and its consumption patterns. The sad confinement imposed, among other things, has led to a drop in spending by Spanish households, for some an increase in their savings, and new consumption patterns.
On the one hand, the shopping and leisure budget has increased and, on the other hand, online purchases have convinced even the most reluctant.
Many, to escape boredom, have invested in the purchase of video games, consoles, or have subscribed to video on demand services, such as Netflix or Disney Plus. Some have taken the plunge and bought a house in the country, have chosen to buy a bicycle, to buy equipment for doing sports at home, gardening, etc.
Here, the challenge is, also and above all, to know how to put a brake on your expenses, to see in the medium or long term.
So, to better control your personal, professional and family budget, and at the same time save money, why not use a dedicated application for this purpose?
In this comparison, we have selected free applications (so as not to add an additional expense) to control your money effectively, save and establish a budget from your smartphone. It also saves you the mountains of paperwork and receipts accumulated in your wallet.
They are also very practical to help teenagers or students to manage their savings, not to squander it, especially before a holiday period and to maintain a certain purchasing power.
If you are a grasshopper who would love to be an ant, then take the plunge and install one of these apps.
If none of these apps satisfy you, remember that Excel can also help you take stock and get your finances under control.
In preparation for Christmas, many merchants, all types of resale sites are selling devices at bargain prices, also take this opportunity to save on high-end products that are usually very expensive. However, we advise you to remain vigilant, because it is easy to spend lavishly...
As we know, tightening our belts during this period can be very difficult, but to please at a lower cost, think about refurbished offers and resales of new products from individuals to individuals, for example.
1DriverBudget
- Indicated price:
PiloteBudget is an application recommended by the Bank of Spain and was initiated by SOS Famille, Emmaüs Nanterre and the Cerise association. It is supported, among others, by the Mes questions d'argent portal, Logirep, La Banque Postale, Crédit Municipal de Paris.
It accompanies you on a daily basis by calculating your Rest to Live (RàV), that is to say what you have left at the end of the month, once all the fixed charges have been paid.
For each category (Resources, Charges, Credit, Savings) and sub-category (salaries, pensions, family benefits, rent, housing assistance, property tax, internet, car, booklet A, life insurance, retirement savings, business, etc. .) fill in the amount and their frequency.
PiloteBudget takes care of the rest, you will get a circular diagram indicating your monthly and weekly RàV, the colors corresponding to categories.
You can then transfer this data to your email.
PiloteBudget is a confidential application (completely anonymous, not connected to the internet and your accounts), and it is available on Android and iPhone.
2Bankin '
- Indicated price:
Bankin' is one of the most popular money management apps. This Spanish app, which has been approved by the Bank of Spain, allows you to scrutinize your expenses with a simple glance.
Its interface is very nice and easy to use. It gives you access to your bank account with detailed visibility of entries and exits.
The organization is carried out via a classification of categories such as Subscriptions (which is practical for monitoring your Netflix, Spotify, telephone packages, etc.), Purchases & Shopping, Taxes & Duties, Housing, Health, Withdrawals... and these are subdivided so as not to miss anything.
Thanks to its graphs as well as its My progress and My Coach functions, you will be able to avoid overdrafts and set aside for your projects, for example. She also gives you good advice.
Bankin' is a secure application which encrypts your data and undertakes not to sell it.
With Bankin', controlling your daily budget will no longer be a chore; you will even enjoy it.
For more features, there are the paid versions Bankin'Plus and Bankin' Pro.
3Linxo
- Indicated price:
Linxo allows you to have an overview of your various personal and professional bank accounts.
Just like Bankin', it has been endorsed by the Bank of Spain. It therefore ensures the security of your data and peace of mind. Moreover, your data is stored on encrypted disks and their access is protected by a code or your Face ID.
Linxo presents your expenses and your savings in the form of graphs, which are also viewable from your computer.
With its free version, update your accounts, make a forecast balance and export your information in CSV format.
On the other hand, for OFX or QIF, you will have to upgrade to the Premium plan. It also offers other advantages such as an algorithm for forecasting a budget over 30 days and unlimited operations searches (compared to 6 months for the free version).
Note that Linxo is compatible with Apple Watch, what better than your wrist to always keep an eye on your savings.
4Budgea
- Indicated price:
Budgea is a very serious application, its interface may even seem a little austere for some. However, it remains accessible to anyone wishing to control their budget down to the smallest detail, but also their assets.
On Budgea, link your bank accounts in order to consult them on the fly, monitor your transfers, income, categorize your transactions, scan your IBAN, add documents, invoices, or even access graphs for an analysis of your financial health.
Security issue, each time you need to access the app, you are asked for a previously chosen Pin code or a fingerprint.
Better yet, Budgea is dubbed by the CNIL, your information is encrypted and you can permanently delete your account via the settings.
To control your budget and save with zeal, install Budgea.
Tricount
- Indicated price:
With Tricount, the adage "Good accounts make good friends" takes on its full meaning.
It is always difficult and delicate to ask a loved one that he owes us. With this application, you will be relieved of this embarrassment. Indeed, Tricount helps couples, roommates, friends, etc. to keep all traces of payments in full transparency.
The interface is childishly simple, all you have to do is fill in the fields, enter the amount of each expense and the creditor(s). Then, Tricount takes care of the rest.
You can choose the currency, receive notifications and invite other participants. For the more rigorous, there is the option of adding photos, which is practical for receipts of small amounts. Finally, it is possible to categorize expenses and export the data in PDF or CSV format.
Note that with Tricount, you don't need to provide email addresses or enter bank accounts, and it's also available on AppGallery for Huawei. The app can also be used offline.
This application succeeds wonderfully in reconciling money and social ties.
6Toshl Finance
- Indicated price:
With Toshl Finance, connect your bank (more than 100 Spanish institutions) and follow each expense made, regardless of their currency. You manage cash, credit cards and accounts, including those not connected.
The interface has a minimal design and its use is very simple. It clearly separates the different functions Graphic income, expenses, Balance sheet…. Since, these all you have to do is establish a weekly, annual or monthly budget, select the categories (food, gifts, sports, education, health, transport, etc.). Finally, to remember to enter your charges, set an alarm.
If you wish, it is possible to import CSV, XLS, TXT or even TSV files.
Toshl also allows you to synchronize your information on your different devices, there is also a web application to use Toshl from a computer.
Try Toshl free for 30 days. Then, if you are convinced, and want to access more graphics, then upgrade to Toshl Pro or Medici.
Don't forget to add this additional expense to your budget...
7Daily Expenses 3
- Indicated price:
Daily Expenses 3 is very similar to PiloteBudget. Fill in all your fees, whatever they are, this will generate a pie chart for better visibility.
You will have access to a monthly report in stick diagram and will be able to assign icons to more easily identify your money outflows (Netflix, petrol, wi-fi, energy, family food, telephones, transport, parties, sports, etc.).
The application is, for our taste, a little too catch-all and the display of ads is somewhat disturbing.
Daily Expenses 3 on iOS and Android.
