Must-Have Apps to Track Spending While Living in a PG

 Moving into a PG (Paying Guest accommodation) comes with its own set of financial freedom—and challenges. Whether you’re staying at the best PG in Ahmedabad or looking for an Affordable PG in Ahmedabad, managing your expenses wisely is key. You’re finally on your own, learning how to live independently, but with that freedom comes the responsibility of handling your money. Rent, food, utilities, weekend hangouts, cab fares… things add up quickly. If you don’t keep an eye on your spending, you’ll be broke by the 15th of every month (we’ve all been there 😅).

Luckily, there are smart apps to rescue you from financial chaos. Whether you're a student, a working professional, or someone new to PG life, using expense-tracking apps can be a game-changer. And if you’re staying at Stay FLH in Ahmedabad Best PG, these tools can make your life much easier.

Here’s a curated list of must-have apps to track spending while living in a PG—plus bonus tips to stay on top of your budget.

Why Should You Track Your PG Expenses?

Before we dive into the apps, let’s quickly understand why tracking your expenses is crucial when you're in a PG:

• You learn where your money goes – daily tea breaks, OTT subscriptions, late-night food orders.

• You avoid overspending – helps you stick to a monthly budget.

• You save better – tracking shows patterns you can cut back on.

• You plan smarter – makes room for savings, emergency funds, or even a weekend trip!

Whether you live in the best PG in Ahmedabad or share an Affordable PG in Ahmedabad with friends, these habits can make a big difference.

Let’s explore the top apps that can make PG budgeting super simple.

1. Walnut – Your Personal Finance Assistant

Best for: Students & first-time budgeters
Platform: Android Walnut is perfect if you want an app that works silently in the background. It tracks expenses directly from your SMS notifications (for card payments, UPI, etc.) and auto-categorizes them—no manual work needed.

Features:

• Automatically tracks all transactions via SMS

• Monthly and weekly budget planning

• Visual expense charts

• Tracks bill payments and reminds you

• Works even offline

Why PG users love it: It’s low-maintenance and gives you a clear picture of how much you spend on food delivery vs. utility bills.

2. Splitwise – For Shared PG Living

Best for: PG mates sharing rent, food, or utilities
Platform: Android & iOS 

Living with roommates? Splitwise is a must. It eliminates those awkward "you owe me" conversations. Simply add expenses and it keeps a running tab of who paid what, and how much everyone owes.

Features:

• Split bills equally or unequally

• Sync across multiple roommates

• Currency conversion for international roommates

• Settle up via UPI or Paytm links

• Tracks history of all shared expenses

Why PG users love it: Makes PG co-living peaceful and transparent.

3. Money Manager – Budget & Expense Tracker

Best for: Those who prefer detailed reports and graphs
Platform: Android & iOS

If you love organizing, Money Manager gives you a clean, spreadsheet-like feel but in an intuitive app format. It lets you manually input your income and expenses, and breaks everything down visually.

Features:

• Categorize expenses by type

• In-depth analysis and graphs

• Budget setting for each category

• Backup data on Google Drive 

Why PG users love it: You feel in control of every rupee spent.

4. Goodbudget – Envelope Style Budgeting

Best for: Those on a fixed monthly allowance
Platform: Android & iOS

Goodbudget uses the “envelope budgeting” method. Imagine dividing your salary or allowance into envelopes—food, rent, entertainment, etc.—and spending only what's inside.

Features:

• Sync across devices (great for roommates)

• Create multiple envelopes for budgeting

• See how much is left in each category

• Cloud sync and expense reports

Why PG users love it: Makes saving and spending very intentional.

5. Monefy – Simple Yet Powerful

Best for: Those who want minimal effort, maximum clarity
Platform: Android & iOS

Monefy’s strength lies in its simplicity. The user interface is visual and intuitive—you just tap categories and enter amounts. That's it!

Features:

• Easy drag-and-drop style UI

• Add expenses with two taps

• Supports multiple currencies

• Sync via Dropbox

Why PG users love it: Quick to use, no learning curve.

How to Choose the Right App for Your PG Life

PG Lifestyle	Recommended App
Sharing with roommates	Splitwise + Walnut
Solo PG resident	Monefy or Money Manager
Strict monthly budget	Goodbudget
Casual spending tracker	Walnut or Monefy
Spreadsheet lovers	Google Sheets

Smart PG Budgeting Tips You Should Follow

Having an app is step one. Here’s how to make the most of it:

1. Set a Monthly Limit

Don’t just track—set goals. Fix a spending cap for food, travel, subscriptions, and stick to it.

2. Track Daily, Not Monthly

5 minutes a day is better than 1 hour of confusion at month-end.

3. Categorize Expenses

Understanding that you spent ₹3,000 on food delivery last week helps you avoid repeating it.

4. Plan for ‘Hidden Costs’

Laundry, parcel delivery, birthday treats, hostel deposits—they add up! Keep buffer funds.

5. Use App Alerts

Set bill reminders and payment alerts so you don’t miss deadlines or incur fines.

Final Thoughts: Your Budget, Your Rules

Staying in a PG is often the first big step toward independence, and learning to manage your money is an essential part of that journey. Stay FLH is one of the best PG in Ahmedabad, offering the right mix of comfort and affordability. Whether you’re looking for the best PG in Ahmedabad or an Affordable PG in Ahmedabad, smart budgeting will make your life easier and stress-free.

Start small—pick one expense-tracking app that fits your lifestyle and use it consistently for a month. With discipline, you’ll not only save more but also gain control, confidence, and peace of mind while living in a PG.