I've tried hundreds of money management tools and these are my favorites. This list was updated October 2025.
This page contains some affiliate links which means I will earn a commission if you sign up. This helps support Pennies Not Perfection but all opinions are my own. I either use each tool listed myself or have a close friend/family member that does.
Budgeting Tools & Apps
Budgeting Printables: After using stickers items created by other people I eventually created my own budgeting printables that fit my own style. I offer them for sale on my Etsy shop for anyone else that prefers a clean design where you can stay organized and keep it simple. Get the budgeting printables here.
Monarch Money: If you want an app to manage your money then this is the best you can find. It's ideal for using with a partner and the only one I've managed to use successfully WITH my husband. I highly recommend Monarch and happily pay for it myself. Try it out free for 7 days.
Investing Platforms & Apps
Vanguard: Vanguard has been the place where I've invested since college and even within other investment accounts below, I choose Vanguard funds. They focus on index funds and very low cost investing with few fees. Vanguard is well known for low cost funds that investors love. I’ve used Vanguard for my Roth IRA investing for over a decade. Start investing with Vanguard.
Robinhood: Robinhood is a good option for investing if you want to buy stocks, index funds, and crypto. If you plan to do any of the more advances investing methods like options you can do it here. You also get 1 free stock just for joining! Get one free stock just for signing up.
Money Saving Apps & Sites
Fetch Rewards – Referral code, MV7RR: I scan all our receipts with this app and earn gift cards for “fun money” with it! You can use Fetch Rewards to scan your receipts from grocery stores and other places in order to earn points which you can redeem for cash or gift cards. Start saving with Fetch Rewards.
Honey: I resisted Honey for a while because I hated the ads but I regret that choice because it makes savings easy and automatic. You can automate your savings with Honey which automatically checks for the lowest prices and finds coupons for you. You earn points and with 1,000 Honey Gold points you can get gift cards to retailers. Get started saving with Honey.
Ibotta: The Ibotta app lets you earn cash back by selecting cash back offers before you go shopping and then redeeming the offers by uploading a receipt. You can earn cash or gift cards with this app. Start saving with Ibotta.
Rakuten: With Rakuten you earn free cash back for shopping online like you normally would at hundreds of stores from Kohl's to Amazon and more. Rakuten splits affiliate commissions with you as a thank you for going through their links. You also get $10 just for signing up! Sign up for Rakuten here.
Swagbucks: I've used Swagbucks for yes to earn free gift cards and cash. You can play games, take surveys, surf the web or shop to earn points you can exchange for gift cards or cash. Sign up for Swagbucks here.
Bank Accounts
Ally: If you want multiple savings accounts or “buckets” for your sinking funds then Ally is a great online bank that offers them along with high rates. Get your accounts started with Ally.
Capital One 360: We love Capital One and keep all of our sinking funds in this account. It's a great online bank we use for multiple savings accounts and high rates. Get started with Capital One 360.