▎Money Matters: The Apps I’m Happy to Pay For Each Month
These days, it feels like almost every app operates on a subscription model, and I’m not particularly fond of it. I tend to favor free apps, even if it means enduring a few ads in exchange. I definitely miss the good old days when I could pay a one-time fee to avoid ongoing costs instead of dealing with monthly subscriptions.
That said, there are a few exceptions to my rule. I subscribe to four apps each month, and I have no regrets about it. These apps are worth every penny because they help me manage my work, personal life, and finances—well, at least three of them do. The fourth is purely for entertainment, which we all need from time to time.
Let me break down the paid apps I use and explain why spending a few dollars each month on them is a smart investment for me.
▎YNAB (You Need A Budget)
As a finance enthusiast, I'm passionate about budgeting and investing. Staying on top of my personal finances is crucial, and for that, I rely on You Need A Budget (YNAB).
What sets YNAB apart from other money management apps is that it’s more than just a tool for tracking income and expenses. It offers a structured system with a set of rules designed to help me effectively manage my money. After using it for over a decade, I can confidently say it works wonders.
I’ve tried numerous money management tools, but YNAB remains the only one that has provided me with clarity regarding my financial goals and helped me keep track of my hard-earned cash. At around $15.99 per month, it may seem steep, but the savings and reduced financial stress it brings make it well worth the investment.
That said, it does come with a learning curve; it's not an app you can master in just a few minutes. However, once you get the hang of it, the benefits become clear.
▎Todoist
With a busy schedule filled with responsibilities in both my personal and professional life, I often find myself forgetting tasks. That's why I rely on a task management app to keep everything organized.
After trying various options, I've found Todoist to be the best. It’s user-friendly yet powerful, boasting an attractive interface that enhances the overall experience. At just $4 per month, it’s a small price to pay for the organization it provides.
Without Todoist, I'd likely struggle to manage my workload. My job demands a lot from me, and if I don’t write down all my tasks, I risk forgetting important ones.
I appreciate Todoist's customization options, allowing me to create different projects, set custom filters, and even change the UI colors. Its natural language processing feature lets me input commands like “Clean the garage tomorrow at 5 p.m.,” and it automatically sets the due date and reminders.
Unlike YNAB, Todoist is straightforward to use, making it accessible for most people. While I find the subscription worthwhile for my needs, many users might find the free version sufficient.
▎Gemini
As an advanced user of Gemini, I enjoy the additional features available behind the paywall, even though Google’s chatbot and OpenAI’s ChatGPT are free.
I utilize Gemini extensively for both work and personal projects. It assists me in researching topics, correcting typos in my drafts, and crafting engaging titles. I've largely replaced Google Search with Gemini for personal inquiries because it provides quick access to precise information. While the premium models come at a higher price of around $20 per month, for me, the investment is justified given its utility.
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