Create wealth at the tip of your fingers
You’re probably already pretty impressed by what your smartphone can do, but have you thought of it as a wealth builder?
It’s all down to the apps you can install. There’s an increasing range available to help you manage your spending, supercharge savings, complete your tax returns and manage your investments – all at the tip of your fingers.
Track your spending
Most people approach the ‘b’ word – budgeting – with dread. Getting your spending under control is fundamental to any wealth creation plan. For starters, you’ll need to know where your money is going. Several apps take much of the drudgery out of tracking each dollar you spend while also helping you to take control of your money. This includes separating your ‘wants’ from your ‘needs’, categorising expenses, and setting spending limits for each category.
A popular app is Pocketbook, which syncs with many Australian bank accounts and largely automates the task of categorising each transaction. It also tells you exactly what your bank balance is and how much you can safely spend to stay within your budget for each category.
Boosting savings
Remember piggybanks and the pleasure of slipping the day’s loose change into the slot? With electronic transactions now dominating our spending, loose change is a disappearing commodity.
Apps such as Raiz provide a digital solution. It automatically rounds up each purchase you make on a linked debit card to the next dollar and invests this ‘loose change’ into one of six diversified investment portfolios. You can also set up regular contributions or make one-off additions to your portfolio.
Manage your investments
From simple watch lists for shares to mobile apps that give you full access to a stockbroker’s trading platform, a vast range of apps is available to the connected investor. Check out what’s available from your super fund, investment managers, and share broker. In many cases, you’ll find apps that can do everything that you would normally use your desktop computer for, and often with more convenience. Enjoy lunch in the park while you check up on your super or snap up a few shares.
File your tax return
We know that apps are mainstream when the tax office gets in on the act. The ‘ATO app’ includes the myDeductions tool to help you track expenses. Sole traders can also record income as well as deductions. Come tax time the data can be emailed to a tax agent, or you can use your app to prefill your tax return before lodging it yourself.
Pocketbook also has a dedicated tax return app, though a fee applies to lodge the return with the ATO.
Be appy
This is just a snippet of the many financial apps that are available. Many are free, but be aware of ‘in-app purchases’. In some cases, functionality may be limited unless you upgrade to a ‘premium’, paid option. Also remember that you may be sharing your financial information with a third party. Make sure you’re happy with the app provider’s privacy policy and security before you commit.
Then, when you’ve found the ideal electronic helpers for your financial needs, ‘app up’ and get your mobile phone building your wealth.
Want to know more?
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The information contained in this article is general information only. It is not intended to be a recommendation, offer, advice or invitation to purchase, sell or otherwise deal in securities or other investments. Before making any decision in respect to a financial product, you should seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional. We believe that the information contained in this document is accurate. However, we are not specifically licensed to provide tax or legal advice and any information that may relate to you should be confirmed with your tax or legal adviser.