Staying on top of your finances should be simple. From keeping track of your mortgage payments to figuring out where your money went last month, there’s an easier way to get it all done!

So – close your excel spreadsheets and get automating with our top 5 financial tools.

Tool #1 Mint

Mint is the easiest way to keep track of your finances online. It’s completely free and quick to set up – seamlessly integrating with your bank, credit card, loan and investing accounts.

You can download the app onto your mobile device and easily track down the ‘where, how and why’ of your wallet. One of the really nice things about Mint is that it automatically tracks your spending and generates useful budget reports for you. It’ll even send you notices when your bills are due – great for keeping you accountable.

 

Tool #2 whistleOut

Finding an affordable cell phone plan with a decent phone can be a nightmare – Canadian providers are notorious for their hidden fees and confusing contracts.  With whistleOut, you can compare cell phones and plans instantly, saving you valuable time spent calling up each individual provider.

If you do want to call and negotiate, you can use the list of options to amp up your negotiating power! Simply tell them: “well, this is what your competitor is offering, so what can you do for me if I switch?”

 

Tool #3 TurboTax Canada

TurboTax is a low-cost and easy way to to file your taxes online. If you think doing your taxes by yourself is intimidating, think again. They provide a huge amount of comprehensive learning materials that include a knowledge base, forum, community and video tutorials.

You don’t have to be a tax pro to get started – and you’ll definitely learn a thing or two from getting smart about tax deductions associated with your home, family or business!

 

Tool #4 DebtMinder

Debtminder (iphone only) gives you a super simple, clear picture of your debts. This simple app does one thing and does it well: if you’re laser-focused on paying down your mortgage, student loans or any other type of debt, this app will help you create a realistic payment plan and even provides a couple of payment plan options to allow you some flexibility.

Sign up in minutes, create your plan and watch your debts reduce over time!

 

Tool #5 Bloomberg

BloomBerg Business keeps you on top of Canadian markets, the global economy and the stock market. If you like staying updated with the latest financial news, this is one of the best applications for it.

You also get access to a portfolio tracker, so you can see how your stocks are performing each day – neat!

 

If you’ve found any other great financial tools you think we should know about, let us know in the comments below!