Okay, confession time: I know nothing about finances. Nada. Zilch. My idea of “investing” has mostly been stocking up on candles during a sale at Target. But recently, I’ve been hit with this unsettling realization: I need to understand money better. Not just because I should, but because I want to feel more in control of my future — and maybe stop breaking into a cold sweat every time someone mentions 401(k)s.
So, I did what any clueless person would do: I Googled. And guess what? There’s a whole world of apps out there designed to help women (like me, and maybe you?) get smarter about saving, budgeting, and even investing. Who knew?
Here are a few that kept popping up — and honestly, I’m as curious as you are to try them out:
Ellevest: This app was founded by women, for women, with the goal of helping us invest and plan for our financial futures. I read that it takes into account things like the gender pay gap and longer life expectancy. Sounds pretty cool, right? I’m low-key intimidated, but also intrigued.
Your Juno: Think of this as the Duolingo of finance. It’s geared toward women and non-binary folks and helps break down complex financial jargon into plain English. Perfect for people like me, who hear “compound interest” and immediately need a nap.
Rocket Money: This one helps track your spending and even cancels unwanted subscriptions for you. (Do I still pay for that meditation app I downloaded during the pandemic and never opened? Probably.)
YNAB (You Need A Budget): Apparently, this app has a cult following. It helps you assign every dollar a job, so you know exactly where your money’s going. I feel like budgeting might finally click for me with this one.
Honeydue: For those of you with partners, this app helps you budget together without having to passive-aggressively text “Did you really need that third coffee today?” every other day.
So, What’s Next?
I’m downloading a couple of these apps this week and seeing what happens. Will I become a financial guru overnight? Absolutely not. But maybe I’ll learn something—and maybe you will, too.
If you try any of these, let me know! We can swap notes, laugh about our money mishaps, and celebrate the tiny victories along the way.
Here’s to figuring out money stuff together. Wish me luck!
