Original article can be found on Forbes.com.
As more and more financial transactions take place online, mobile apps for everything from investing and banking to debt payoff and automated savings have popped up to meet the needs of the modern consumer. These apps and tools are designed to make financial management and wealth building easier for individuals, but with so many on the market, it can be confusing and difficult to choose one to use.
The experts at Forbes Finance Council are very familiar with many of these products and know which ones are the best for amateur investors. While you should always consult with a financial professional for the most effective wealth management advice, here are some of the top apps and tools our members recommend for individuals.
1. Stash Investments
Stash is a great money management app. It allows you to set up auto-transfers for investing, retirement and savings. It has made it very easy to manage investments and savings accounts, as well as help prepare for retirement. They provide a user-friendly dashboard as well as learning resources to help you make better investing decisions. – David Haass, Elite Insurance Partners, LLC
2. Mint And Robinhood
Priority number one when it comes to building wealth is paying down debt and getting a handle on expenses. Mint can help with that. When it comes to investing, Robinhood is an accessible way to invest painlessly. Robinhood teaches you what you need to know as you make each new investment, helping you build out an optimal portfolio. As a bonus, the service is free and fully encrypted to ensure security. – Ismael Wrixen, FE International
3. EveryDollar
Dave Ramsey is one of the most brilliant business and financial advisors out there. His user-friendly app, EveryDollar, creates a spending plan that tells every dollar where to go so when you finish, you have a zero dollar balance. The baby steps Dave Ramsey recommends for getting out of debt and building wealth are also incorporated into the app. – Shane Hurley, RedFynn Technologies
4. Riskalyze
Riskalyze is great client-facing software and is easy to understand. If you’re invested at a risk level that you are uncomfortable with, you’ll never stick with it and reap the benefits. Also, learn about behavioral economics. If you understand your personality type and risk, you’ll know more than most. – Lance Scott, Bay Harbor Wealth Management
5. Any Financial Tech Tool That Comes With A Live Advisor
With so many options available, selecting a technology to simplify or improve financial management can be as confusing as predicting the stock markets. Begin with your financial institution to identify financial tech that comes with a live advisor. This gives you the best of both worlds by creating a blended approach. If you want to keep your personal information private, don’t use a free app. – Miguel Vasquez, Financial Fitness Group
6. An Advisor-Recommended Savings App That Suits Your Situation
We feel that it’s always best to consult with an advisor who works with clients in their same situation. I am a huge fan of specialization. It’s easy to find an advisor who specializes in working with your demographic, like millennials, business owners, corporate employees and young families. Generally, an advisor can steer you toward the right savings app for your situation. – David Podell, Podell Financial Group
7. An App That Gives You A Holistic View Of Your Personal Capital
It’s impossible to measure what you can’t see, so every investor should use a tool that shows their entire financial life in one place. The average affluent household has 15 or more accounts across multiple institutions. This leads to chaos. Having a holistic view of your accounts, as well as your spending and saving habits, is the first step to making better financial decisions. – Jay Shah, Personal Capital
8. A Tool That Aligns With Your Goals And Timeline For Building Wealth
The marketplace today is full of apps and websites you can use to track your spending and investments, but you must first invest your time to develop a plan for how you are going to build your wealth. That includes knowing exactly what your goals and time horizons are and understanding the “why” behind your motivation. Once you figure out your “why,” you can use the tools to monitor results. – Alexander Koury, Values Quest