Here are some of the best budgeting apps for university students

There’s no denying that university life can be tough, what with managing classes, assignments, social outings and adulting in general. But another challenge that might have left university students blighted may include budgeting and managing their already limited finances. 

It’s a common occurrence to go through the week and wonder where all your money has disappeared to, so why not tap into a budgeting app?

We know that financial stress can negatively affect students’ academic performance, which makes it essential for students to master their finances as best they can. 

While they’re no panacea to university students’ money woes, budgeting apps can help university students spend less in certain areas of their lives and keep track of their finances, depending on the type of app.

We’ve scoured the web and found some budgeting apps that might be worth checking out: 

CheckPlease Lite

Have you experienced the pain of splitting a bill when eating out with a large group of people? This nifty app will help you calculate the tip or make splitting the bill between multiple people easier. Note that the app is only available for iOS devices.

Chegg Books

Textbooks cost a tonne, so if you’re looking to save some money without buying them full price, Chegg Books is an option worth exploring. The app allows you to rent textbooks, with nifty options to extend or purchase a rental, as well as to return rentals for free. 

If you’re dropping or switching classes, they also have a “21-day hassle-free returns”policy, where Chegg will provide a full refund minus the original cost of shipping, if applicable. 

Money Manager Expense & Budget

If you’re an Android user who wants to keep track of your daily expenses, this app is for you. It may take some practice to familiarise yourself with the app, but you’ll soon be thankful that you did. It has a simple interface and is flexible enough that users can personalise their entries and edit things such as the date, category and amount.

Mint

This app is similar to Money Manager Expense & Budget, but this option is only for iOS users. What’s cool about this app is its interesting interface for those particular about the app’s aesthetics.  

You can bring together your bank accounts, credit cards, bills and investments in one place, while it can also “unlock exclusive money-saving insights based on your real financial information”. Mint can help you enjoy an overview of your account balances, spending, your free credit score, net worth, and other things.

Budgeting apps can only do so much

It seems pertinent to tap into technology to help you better manage your money, but there’s a caveat worth noting.

While budgeting apps can keep track of your expenses and offer cheaper alternatives when making certain purchases, ultimately, whether or not your dollar stretches over a period of time depends on your ability to put what you know into action, ensuring you’re not in the red at the end of each month.

While it can take some practice and effort, introducing budgeting apps into your life could prove transformational when used correctly.

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