8 Apps To Get Your Money Right In 2021
If you're like me, you like the freedom that money can bring. Budgets, investments, and proper money management are all part of creating the life that you want and making your coins work for you. But sometimes life happens, and the dreaded B-word (budget) can seem like a noose around your neck, not a resource that ensures you reach your goals. Between taking care of everyday bills, managing households, trying to advance in our work, practicing self-care, or taking on new challenges, there can seem like there's barely enough time in the day to really zero-in on financial fitness or keep up with ways we can save or invest as often as we should.
Well, these 8 money management apps make keeping an eye on your financial growth a bit easier and take a bit of stress out of it all:
1.EveryDollar
This is an app by Ramsey Solutions (yes, think, Dave Ramsey and Rich Dad, Poor Dad) and it allows you to plan your spending, manage savings and debt payments, and track expenses. Transactions can be set up to stream automatically and create custom budget reports.
2.Mint
Mint is a tried-and-true app that's easy to use for budget planning, and a place to manage all of your bank accounts. You also have an online resource for all of your personal finance needs.
3.Acorns
Another OG in the personal finance app game, the Acorns app helps you by automating your savings, rounding up your purchases and putting the extras in an investment portfolio.
4.PocketGuard
This one is great for overspenders (i.e. me) because it uses a special algorithm to track how much you earn and spend, along with your savings goals, and then gives you a limit based on those factors. It takes the guesswork and the temptation out of the equation.
5.YNAB (You Need A Budget)
If the name doesn't spark your interest, this should: Not only does this app give guidance to meet your financial goals via tutorials and educational materials, it's made to cater to people with modest incomes. YNAB sticks with the basics of personal finance because your dollars are assigned to a particular task and the account information is in real time (so no delays thinking you have money to spend when you might have forgotten about a bill due or that pack of gum you bought.)
6.Joy
This one is all about the user's happiness, and it provides financial coaching and savings resources. Joy allows you to rate your emotions when buying certain things and then logs this for a report. It's an awesome resource to keep track of your motivations for the purchases you make and evaluate your spending choices based on that. Their website also has awesome content on income-earning options, money tips and more.
7.Digit
Digit is another that uses data on your income and spending habits to automate your savings. Every few days, it will transfer money into a Digit account based on how you spend your money, your upcoming pay and the state of your linked bank accounts. There's also a text option for transferring funds.
8.Zeta
If you have a serious significant other or spouse, this app is perfect for you. Zeta is made for managing joint accounts or simply keeping track of one another's spending. There's also an option to sign up for a joint no-fee account, and their website offers resources and tips for couples who tackle to financial fitness together.
Featured image by Getty Images
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images