There are a number of web-based Saas personal finance management websites to help you get a better handle on your money. This list will not include non web-based software such as YNAB and Quicken.
Here is the list of Personal Finance websites I have found and some thoughts on a few of them.
- Simplify My Finances – I saw this at a recent seminar I went to. They were selling a package with Stock investing, Tax lien investing, some health MLM and Simply My Finances as a pre-packaged get rich solution. They were selling this as a 4k a year program that includes coaching. I personally talked to the CEO at the conference and was intrigued with some of the features and still am. A feature I still can not really find anywhere else includes paying bills at just the right time to maximize interest in your account. Still at 4k that is $333 a month which is way out of line.
- trust finances – After a little research, I found this company that seems to be very similar to Simplify My Finances. I watched several videos and was impressed and excited, one video suggested it is 19.95 / month, and I was sold. However I clicked on the Sign Up page and it simply said “TEST”. For a finance site, that does not give me a very warm and fuzzy feeling. My excitement quickly dwindled.
- Mint.com – So after the first two, I decided to look for the 800 pound gorillas in the marketplace and see what they had for automatic tracking expenses. I searched for Quicken Online and found they merged with Mint.com. I am currently using and evaluating Mint.com. So far I like it but wish that it considered pending finances when calculating the amount in the account. Unless I am missing something, Mint.com seems to always be behind. The best part of Mint.com is it is completely FREE.
- mvelopes – Looks promising, but is not free after trial. Unsure of cost and have read numerous complains about their flash based website.
- PearBudget – $3 / month. Seems cheap enough, but the current website does little to sell me on advantages.
- Geezeo – I saw a post online that recommended this company. Trouble is they are limited to only a few banks (mostly credit unions). I believe they have a great business plan of selling to banks instead of directly to customers. It is possible that other Personal Finance management websites you come across are labeling Geezeo as their own (white label). This is genius. I say that because when I first saw Simplify My Finances a few weeks ago, I thought of the same idea of marketing online finance management to banks so banks can provide the service to their customers. I believe this would equal more money ‘sitting’ in the customers accounts and would help with customer satisfaction and retention. Obviously Geezeo has already thought of this idea.
- Buxfer – No comment at this time.
- MySpendingPlan.com – Says they are “Recommended by The Wall Street Journal”
UPDATE 2/11/2011
I have learned of more personal finance websites. Here is the list
http://www.yodlee.com/
http://www.justthrive.com/
https://money.strands.com/
http://www.bundle.com/
A website with Groups to discuss financial management is https://www.wesabe.com/
That is a helpful list. While inspiration should not be discounted planning and organizing are also critical.