Money tools, judged on whether you're still using them in month three.

It depends on whether the cost changes your behaviour. A $100-a-year app that helps you stop overspending by $200 a month has paid for itself many times over. If you're disciplined and happy in a spreadsheet, you may never need one. The honest test is month three: a paid app earns its fee only if you're still opening it after the novelty wears off.

Mint was retired in 2024, which pushed a lot of people to look for alternatives. The two most common landing spots are Monarch, for an all-in-one dashboard with a similar feel, and YNAB, for those who want a more active budgeting method. Both charge a subscription where Mint was free — but neither monetises by selling your attention, which is part of why Mint felt free.

The common guidance is three to six months of essential expenses, but the right size depends on your situation. A dual-income household with stable jobs can lean toward three; a freelancer or sole earner should lean toward six or more. Start with a smaller target — even $1,000 — to break the cycle of putting surprises on a credit card, then build from there.

Build a small starter emergency fund first so a surprise expense doesn't push you deeper into debt, then attack high-interest debt aggressively before saving more. Anything above roughly 7-8% interest — most credit cards qualify — is usually worth clearing before investing, because paying down that balance is a guaranteed return you can't get in the market.

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