Author: brian

In the search for the perfect financial tool, two names consistently rise to the top: Copilot and Monarch Money. If you’re trying to move beyond basic spreadsheets and get a real handle on your wealth, you’ve likely encountered both. I look at these apps through a specific lens: the “Complexity Lens.” I work with couples budgeting together, business owners with fluctuating income, and families juggling rental properties. When your financial life isn’t “simple,” you need an app that can keep…

In the world of personal finance, choosing a budgeting app is like choosing a workout routine: the “best” one is simply the one you’ll actually stick with. Today, we’re putting two heavyweights in the ring: EveryDollar (the Dave Ramsey classic) and Monarch Money (the modern, automated challenger). As a financial coach, I review these tools through the lens of the families I work with—busy professionals, high-income earners, retirees, and business owners. These are people with complex financial lives who need…

Monarch Money is the one app I get asked about more than any other. Since the great “Mint Migration,” it has evolved a ton, and as we move through 2026, many are wondering: Is it still the gold standard for budgeting? 1. A Dashboard That Actually Works for You The first thing you’ll notice is the dashboard. Unlike other apps that force you into a specific layout, Monarch lets you completely customize your view. One of my favorite 2026 updates…