There's an app for that...or is there?

[Miss Piggy]

I'm a spender by nature. I buy way too much crap. But I am in the process of getting back on the FIRE-planning/preparation bandwagon, and as part of that effort, I've declared a moratorium on spending. But I know in my heart I will cheat a little. So my husband and I agreed that I'll get a $100/month "allowance" that I can spend on whatever I want. (Believe me, that's a huge improvement over the thousands I have been known to spend. Yes, I am a terrible person.  *Facepunches self*)

I need an easy way to keep track of where I am each month, at any given time, with my $100, so I can stay honest. Is there a spreadsheet-ish/calculation-type app that I can access across devices (Microsoft computer, Samsung/Android tablet, Samsung/Android phone), where I can input what I spend (and on what) and it keeps track of how much of my $100 I have left?  I might spend some in cash and some using credit cards.

Not sure I'm describing what I'm envisioning very well...if you don't understand what I'm looking for, let me know and I'll try to do a better job.

[Blonde Lawyer]

We set up special checking accounts for this purpose.  Much easier that way.  Also, if you have some leftover it can roll into next months and you can save for something bigger.

[nanu]

Ynab? I've tried using it once but it didn't really work for me. However, sounds like it can work for your needs

[Miss Piggy]

Yeah, maybe a new bank account will be the way to go. My husband suggested that, too. (I was trying to avoid it simply because we have so many bank accounts already, but they all have a purpose.)

[Miss Piggy]

I thought of YNAB...but I've never used it, and I got the impression (here) that it's for tracking credit card usage and stuff like that. I'll take a better look to see if it might work for what I need.

[Cannot Wait!]

A pencil and a notebook?

[pbkmaine]

Or whatever the notes app is on your phone.

[elaine amj]

A simple tool could be using an evernote app. That's cross-platform. You have to do the math yourself though. For a $100, it likely isn't going to be a lot of math.

I use YNAB - but you have to pay for it. Like you, we are a cross-platform family and it is usually important to me that I can pick up whatever device is closest to me and use it.

I remember using Toshl Finance before but can't remember if it is cross-platform. I was trying to find a way to make google spreadsheets work (was using it for my Christmas shopping list) but couldn't get it to sync cross-platform.

You might want to hunt for any free cross-platform budgeting app.

[HipGnosis]

Google Sheet (google's version of excel) and the google drive app

[JLR]

I use an app I downloaded on my Samsung Galaxy. It is called Goodbudget. Not sure if you can access it on your computer, but it would be worth you looking into it. I just enter stuff manually into the app, I don't allow it access to my account or anything like that. And I just have the free version, which allows you to have up to 10 categories/accounts.

[Miss Piggy]

Goodbudget appears to be exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for the suggestion.

[gardenarian]

Put your $100 in an envelope, in cash. Easy.

[MarioMario]

Put your $100 in an envelope, in cash. Easy.

That would be my suggestion.  My wife and I are talking about doing this where we each get a certain amount each month that we can spend and the other can't complain or insult us about it.

My sister suggested cash because that way it wont show up on the credit card bill as "Boot Barn" for my wife or "Game Vault" for me.