Guides
Budgeting without linking your bank: a privacy-first guide
You do not have to hand a budgeting app your bank password. How to build a budget from statements, Apple Pay and quick notes, and what you trade off.
5 min readRead
Blog & money guides
Money, explained calmly.
Practical guides to budgeting and saving, plus product news from Balance. Clear, honest and free of jargon.
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- Budgeting
Free YNAB alternatives in 2026: an honest look
YNAB costs $109 a year. Four free alternatives compared honestly: what each does well, where it falls short, and who it suits. Prices checked October 2026.
5 min readRead - Guides
Budgeting in Israel as a new oleh: shekels, cards and apps
New to Israel? How the overdraft, credit card billing dates, standing orders and apps work here, and a simple budget setup that fits life in shekels.
5 min readRead - Budgeting
How much does your overdraft really cost?
Overdraft costs are taken quietly, so most people underestimate them. How to work out yours, why it adds up, and what to do once you see the number.
5 min readRead - Guides
How to cancel subscriptions and direct debits in Israel
Find every recurring charge on your Israeli bank account and cards, and cancel the ones you no longer use: standing orders, card charges and app stores.
5 min readRead - Saving
How much should I save each month?
A clear way to decide how much to save each month: start with a buffer, use a percentage as a guide, then let your goals set the number.
5 min readRead - Budgeting
Why is my credit card bill higher than I expected?
A credit card bill bigger than you remember usually has one of six causes. How to find which one, check for mistakes, and avoid the surprise next month.
5 min readRead - News
Introducing Balance
Why we are building a calmer, more private way to manage money, and what you can expect from the app in its first release.
4 min readRead - Budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule, explained
A simple way to split your take-home pay between needs, wants and savings, plus how to adapt it when the numbers do not fit neatly.
6 min readRead - Saving
How to build an emergency fund
Why a cash buffer matters, how much to aim for, where to keep it, and a step-by-step way to build one even on a tight budget.
7 min readRead - Budgeting
Zero-based budgeting in five steps
Give every dollar a job before the month begins. A practical walkthrough of zero-based budgeting and how to keep it from feeling like a chore.
6 min readRead - Saving
Sinking funds: the calm way to pay for big things
Predictable but irregular costs can wreck a monthly budget. Sinking funds spread them out so they stop feeling like emergencies.
5 min readRead - Guides
Reading your spending patterns
Your transaction history tells a story. Learn how to spot trends, recurring costs and emotional spending without drowning in data.
6 min readRead
Our guides are general education, not financial advice. Everyone’s situation is different, so consider talking to a qualified professional before making important financial decisions.