What are the Best Money Tools Available to Investors?

When I was still working, my employer offered a free account aggregation tool via its money management platform.  I remember being excited to input all of the assets that I held on different platforms, eager to see everything in one place.  To my surprise (or more appropriately, dismay), the aggregator didn’t work as expected.  The accounts were listed but the numbers were not accurate.  So much for my excitement.

I searched the web for other solutions.  Unfortunately, I continued to encounter the same problem.  The tools just didn’t work (the employer that offered the aggregator that I attempted to use later scrapped it all together).

I don’t recall how, but I eventually stumbled upon Google Sheets - and that’s when things changed.  It quickly became my go-to tool for tracking my finances.  It was easy to list common expenses (rent, internet, cell phone, food, gym membership, auto insurance, etc.) and assets (401(k), Roth IRA, Rollover IRA, taxable brokerage, Health Savings Account, etc.).  Using this simple tool, I gained a clearer picture of my financial situation and became addicted to updating my information daily.

The key takeaway? You don’t need the latest software or fancy app to start gaining control over your finances. What’s most important is a willingness to take charge and the confidence to open the spreadsheet.

Ready to take the next step?