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Every budgeting application is going to have some problems with missed or incorrect data. And they've been consistently working on improving their connections w
by ktcoupon 13y ago
Every budgeting application is going to have some problems with missed or incorrect data. And they've been consistently working on improving their connections with most of the major banks.
The other stuff that the author talks about are simple website changes that the Mint team could make if he just send them suggestions and ideas for improvement. I don't think they're anything serious that would warrant the claim that Mint 'sucks'.
- antonpug 13y agoThere is serious feature deficiency going on there. If you look at support and feature forums, there are basic features that users have been asking for years, that are still not implemented. Connection and sync issues aside, Mint's math isn't always right either. I don't think Mint is completely useless, nonetheless, it sucks compared to what customers expect. Simple appears to have much more robust budgeting tools - too bad they are stuck with their "use our debit card crap"
- busterarm 13y agoI would say that I found Mint pretty close to useless. I was an early user and there wasn't much good that I got out of it. I have to give it some credit though, because just putting some effort in really helped me get control of my finances at a time when I was really bad at it. I can say the same for YNAB, which I've bought and since stopped using. I simply don't need it, but it's nice to know that I have it if I ever do. I actually think YNAB's model where you don't get to automatically sync your accounts works better at its goal. These days I have an excellent mental model of my finances at any given time. Eliminating debt plays a huge part in that. Mint got me to think about my cashflow in a way that motivated me to eliminate the burden of debt from my life. YNAB got me to think about my cashflow in a way that motivated me to control unnecessary spending and use short-term debt where appropriate. It probably could have done what Mint did too, but I was already at that point when I started using it.
- antonpug 13y agoI use Mint moreso for visual organization of sorts. I don't have any debt and pay everything on time regardless of Mint, but it's nice to have a visual representing all your spending, trends etc.
- busterarm 13y agoThat's basically what I used it for as well, but the constant bugs and worries about the potential of a data breach with software connected to my checking accounts got me to stop using it.
- DLarsen 13y agoI had similar experiences. The real value for a lot of folks would be to develop the proper mindset and decision making process for everyday spending. I have a hobby project (http://www.spendlight.com/ http://www.spendlight.com/) that's growing out of my own household's efforts to get on the same page with our mental model of our finances. The charts in Mint or the wall of numbers coming out of a typical bank statement wasn't directly helpful for my wife and I to truly coordinate our spending and reach a consensus on what expenses were good vs bad. The more we've focused on our decisions rather than the mere dollars and sense, the more progress we've made in becoming responsible spenders. Anyhow, I'd love to get more insights from folks such as yourself who were able to get their finances under control. I think a tool that accounts the behavioral realities of our spending habits would have substantial value for at least a handful of folks. Agree? Disagree?