College students are notorious for being penny pinchers. They spend their days studying, working out, and hanging out with friends, but they often forget to budget for food, entertainment, or even transportation. So what features should you look for in the best expense tracker app for college students?
When it comes to college expenses, students often don’t realize that they have options beyond using cash. Some apps allow them to track their spending and save money at the same time.
There are several expense tracking apps available for college students. Some are free, some require a fee, and some offer both. The key is finding the one that fits your lifestyle and budget.
Best Expense Tracker App for College Students- Features to Look For
So what features should you look for in an expense tracker app?
1. Many options for tracking expenses.
Most expense tracking apps offer the usual choices: cash, debit, credit cards, and checks. If you want to track your spending by categories, such as food, entertainment, or travel, you’ll need to look for an app that offers a category option.
2. The option to set reminders.
If you’re the type of person who tends to forget things, especially when you’re in a hurry or distracted by your iPhone, then you’ll want an app that sends reminders before you make purchases and have the option to pre-fill them. You’ll also want an option to disable notifications on the app if they become too distracting.
3. The option to add manual entries.
If you use cash or check on occasion and don’t want to add every purchase as a reminder on your phone, then you’ll need an app that allows you to enter them manually instead of having to go back into the app later. You should also be able to edit past purchases or add notes about the purchase.
4. The option to export your data.
As with any budgeting tool or saving tool, there are times when it comes in handy to be able to export your data and save it in a spreadsheet or other format for future reference and tax purposes. Some apps allow you to email your data or download it as a CSV file that can easily be opened in Excel or another spreadsheet editing program.
5. The option to sync with your bank account.
If you use this feature, make sure that the app has a secure connection to your bank and that it doesn’t require you to enter your bank account information.
6. The option to add recurring expenses.
While most apps offer the ability to add expenses as they happen, some offer the option to add recurring expenses, such as monthly rent or car payments. You can also add them manually if needed.
7. A web interface or desktop app.
While it may seem that using your mobile app is the most convenient way to track your expenses, sometimes you’re stuck at a computer and wish you could access your data without having to go through the hassle of transferring it over from your phone. If you have a desktop computer at home or find yourself working on a computer at work or school more often than not, then you’ll want an app that offers a web interface as well as a mobile app.
