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Starting the year strong often involves organizing finances, and for those avoiding custom spreadsheets, digital budgeting tools provide an efficient solution. New users can secure a 12-month subscription to Monarch Money—a top pick among Engadget's recommended options—for only $50 by entering the promo code NEWYEAR2026 during purchase. This offer halves the standard $100 fee.
Monarch Money serves as a comprehensive tool for financial planning, accessible through applications on iOS, Android, iPadOS, or web browsers. It includes a browser extension for Chrome that integrates purchases from Amazon and Target, automatically sorting them into categories. Similar to competing services, it supports linking various bank accounts to monitor expenditures across periods. Users can select from flexible or category-based budgeting methods tailored to their needs, plus a mobile widget to view monthly progress at a glance.
Apply the code NEWYEAR2026 to receive the 50% reduction on your order.
What sets budgeting platforms apart is their ability to transform transaction data into clear, instant visuals, and Monarch Money provides diverse charts and graphs covering areas such as overall spending, investment performance, or custom expense groupings based on user tags. It also allows joint oversight of expenditures for individuals and their spouses in a unified dashboard, simplifying shared financial strategies.
During evaluations, Engadget noted challenges with Monarch Money, including a steep initial learning phase and inconsistencies in capabilities—along with occasional glitches—across its web and app interfaces. Nevertheless, at half price, it remains a compelling choice for cost-conscious users aiming to manage finances in 2026, particularly those seeking to coordinate with a significant other.
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