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    Money & Banking
    Beginner
    2 min read 5 stepsApril 17, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Use Monarch Money for Budgeting

    Track spending and build a budget with Monarch Money, the most popular replacement for the now-shut-down Mint app.

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Sign up at monarchmoney.com
    2. 2.Connect your accounts
    3. 3.Categorize past transactions
    4. 4.Set your monthly budget
    5. 5.Check the app weekly
    1

    Sign up at monarchmoney.com

    ~15s
    Go to monarchmoney.com in your browser and click "Get Started". Sign up with your email, create a password, and start the free trial (7 days).
    2

    Connect your accounts

    ~15s
    Click "Add Account" and search for your bank by name. Sign in with your online-banking username and password. Repeat for credit cards, loans, and investment accounts.
    3

    Categorize past transactions

    ~15s
    Monarch pulls in the last 90 days of transactions and tries to categorize them (Groceries, Dining, Utilities). Click any transaction to fix the category if it is wrong. The app learns from your corrections.
    4

    Set your monthly budget

    ~15s
    Click Budget in the menu. Monarch suggests amounts for each category based on your past spending. Adjust each one to what you actually want to spend this month.
    5

    Check the app weekly

    ~15s
    Download the Monarch app on your phone. Open it once a week to review spending, catch any strange charges, and see how close you are to your budget for the month.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: How to Use Monarch Money for Budgeting

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    Monarch Money is a budgeting app that connects to your bank accounts, credit cards, and investments to show all your money in one place. It became popular after Intuit shut down Mint in 2024.

    Monarch costs $15 a month, or $100 a year if paid upfront. It has no ads, unlike free budgeting apps, and the interface is clean and easy to read.

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    Monarch
    budgeting
    personal finance
    Mint replacement

    Official Resources

    Consumer Financial Protection BureauFTC — Identity TheftAnnualCreditReport.com

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    How to Use Monarch Money for Budgeting — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure