‘APPY’ FINANCES

Six clever apps that take the hard work out of getting on top of your finances...

Squirrel

squirrel.me/works A bit like having your mum in charge of your money. You keep your existing bank account, but pay your salary into an app-controlled Squirrel account where your money goes into pots – bills, savings and spending money.

Bill money is paid into your bank account the day before bills are due, spending money can be paid in weekly or monthly, and you watch your savings grow. Backed by Barclays and it’s FCA authorised. Cost: Free for three months, then £3.99 per month.

Direct Debt Control Centre

directdebit/controlcentre or iTunes or Googleplay The easiest way to keep track of your Direct Debits, making sure you know how much you’re paying out, and when. Register each DD with the app and you’ll get a reminder of when a payment is due to go out. Cost: Free

UK Mortgages

iTunes and Googleplay Want to know if you can buy a house? This is a fast and simple way to search through the thousands of mortgage products – comparing them, calculating costs and finding a broker to help with your application. Cost: Free

Moneyhub

iTunes and Googleplay Take control of our finances and see where your money goes, from mortgage payments to spending from your current account and on credit cards, so you can see where you can make cutbacks. Cost: 30-day free trial then 99p per month

Moneymailme

moneymail.me Social pay app that lets you pay friends for those coffees and event tickets. You can make micropayments to friends and family across the world in over 100 countries. And donate to charities. Cost: Free, but 2.5% fee to upload cash to your account.

Wally

iTunes and Googleplay A simple app that offers a “360degree view” of your money. It tracks what comes in and what goes out working with smartphone location services to track where you spend your cash.

Lets you photograph receipts to update spending and notifies you of bill dates and keeps track of your savings. Cost: Free