Why I Finally Started Using a Budgeting App—And Which One Actually Worked

By Beelinger Staff
Estimated read time: 6 minutes

I didn’t want to use a budgeting app. I really didn’t.

Every time someone said “You should try this money app!” I’d groan inside. I already had a half-used spreadsheet, some colorful highlighters, and about four different ways of tracking my spending… all of which I gave up on after a week.

But then came the month where I overdrafted twice, forgot my car insurance bill, and realized I had *no idea* how much money I actually had to spend. That was the wake-up call.

Why I Resisted Budgeting Apps for So Long

• They seemed too complicated
• I didn’t want to link my bank accounts
• I thought I could “just remember” everything (I couldn’t)

Turns out, my refusal to use technology was costing me money, time, and peace of mind. So I gave in and downloaded a few popular options. What happened next surprised me.

The Game-Changer: Rocket Money

After testing out a few apps (RIP Mint), I landed on Rocket Money (formerly Truebill). It’s clean, easy, and actually helped me stay consistent.

Here’s what I love:

• Automatic syncing: It connects to your accounts and pulls in transactions—no manual entry!
• Spending breakdowns: Color-coded charts made me realize I was spending way more on delivery than I thought 😬
• Subscription tracking: It caught a $15 app I hadn’t used in 6 months!
• Bill negotiation: I used their service and saved $22/month on my cell phone bill.

And no, they didn’t pay me to say this. I just genuinely love this app—and I wish I’d started sooner.

The Results After 30 Days

After a month of using Rocket Money, here’s what changed:

• I knew exactly how much “fun money” I had each week
• I stopped overdrafting (finally 🙌)
• I felt in control—for the first time in years

I realized that budgeting isn’t about restriction—it’s about awareness. I’m not perfect, but I’m no longer afraid to check my balance or open my banking app. That’s a win in my book.

Apps I Also Tested (But Didn’t Stick With)

• YNAB: Super powerful, but too complex for my needs
• Goodbudget: Decent envelope system but felt outdated
• EveryDollar: Great if you follow the Dave Ramsey system

Ultimately, the best budgeting app is the one you’ll actually use. For me, that was Rocket Money.

Have you tried a budgeting app before? What worked—or didn’t? Drop your thoughts in the comments or hit us up on Instagram @Beelinger.