JumieAn alternative to spreadsheets and traditional budgeting apps
If you've tried tracking your spending with a spreadsheet or a budgeting app and gave up, the problem may not be you. It may be the format.
Three ways to track expenses
Each format has its strengths. The right question isn't which one is best, but which one you'll actually keep up for months.
| Spreadsheet | Traditional budgeting app | Conversational assistant (Jumie) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you log | Typing row by row | A form with amount, category and date | A sentence, a voice note or a receipt photo |
| When you log | When you have spare time | When you remember to open the app | Right when you spend, in seconds |
| Categories | You build everything | Picked from lists | Chosen automatically |
| Budget alerts | None | Depends on the app | Alerts at 80% and 100% of the cap |
| Calendar and reminders | No | Usually not | Yes, in the same conversation |
| Learning curve | High | Medium | Low: you just talk |
When a spreadsheet is the best choice
For detailed analysis, tracking investments, running a business's finances, or if you enjoy building your own formulas and charts. If you've been using a spreadsheet for months without effort, there's no reason to switch.
When a traditional budgeting app makes more sense
For people who want deeper reports, to follow several accounts and cards in one place, or to import bank statements. They're complete tools that ask a bit more time from whoever uses them.
When Jumie is the better alternative
- You've already given up on other methods because you never had time to log.
- You want to log on the spot, by voice, without filling in a form.
- You don't want to connect your bank account to any app.
- You want money, calendar, lists and reminders in one place.
- You want an alert before you blow your budget, not a report afterwards.
You can use them together
Plenty of people use Jumie as the quick way to log day-to-day spending and keep a spreadsheet for yearly planning or investments. What matters is that the logging happens, and that's where a conversation beats a spreadsheet.
See everything Jumie does as an expense tracker, or start with the guide to a monthly budget.