My parents are super-duper budgeters, but somehow I missed that gene. Thank goodness there are so many tools to help people like me keep tabs on my finances on the go, without a yellow pad or calculator.
Imagine you're at the mall, and you spot a fantastic bargain -- but will it put you in the red? Check to see if your bank offers mobile banking. Most banks let you check your balance, pay bills and transfer funds right from your phone.
Palm phones have always had great applications for money management (available currently on Palm OS or Windows Mobile platform) that can help you create and manage budgets, set up bill reminders, look at credit card and bank accounts, make checklists, convert currencies -- all on the go.
Here are a few apps you can download over the air. Prices start at under $10.
- Adarian Money for Palm OS: A complete personal finance program that manages credit cards, bank accounts, bills, budgets and income/expense analysis.
- Budget Master: Budgeting made simple. Creates budget categories specifying a description and budget amount for each category.
- Cash Organizer: Works as a stand-alone program on your mobile device and can also synchronize financial data with Quicken and Microsoft Money. Access your bank account and credit card balances, budgets, projects and planned transactions no matter where you are.
- Ultrasoft Money: Tracks your spending by entering checking, credit card, cash and other transactions. Helps you set up accounts on your handheld, flag items for follow-up or set up alarm notifications when a transaction is due.
And hopefully, apps like these will drill a few sound financial habits into your DNA -- enough to make up for any money-management gene you might be missing.
Zeenat S.
Edelman for Palm