The Surplus Blog

Guides, comparisons, and tips to help you take control of your money and grow your wealth.

App Comparisons·11 min read

Best Mint Shutdown Alternatives in 2026: 6 Apps Worth Using

Looking for Mint shutdown alternatives in 2026? Compare 6 apps to replace Mint, including Simplifi, Monarch, YNAB, Copilot, Rocket Money, and Surplus.

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Savings·10 min read

What Is a Money Market Account? How It Works in 2026

What is a money market account? Learn how it works, how it compares with savings and CDs, and when it makes sense for an emergency fund.

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Savings·10 min read

Emergency Fund Calculator: How Much Should You Save in 2026?

Use this emergency fund calculator formula to figure out how much to save, how many months to cover, and how long it will take to reach your goal.

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Budgeting·11 min read

How Much Should Your Grocery Budget Be in 2026? Average Grocery Bill by Household Size

Set a realistic grocery budget in 2026 using USDA benchmarks, average grocery bill data, and simple formulas for 1-person, 2-person, and family households.

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Net Worth·11 min read

How to Track Net Worth Together in 2026: A Practical System for Couples and Families

Learn how to track net worth together in 2026 with a simple system for couples and families, including spreadsheets, apps, and monthly review steps.

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App Comparisons·10 min read

Best Free YNAB Alternatives in 2026: 5 Options That Cost Less

Looking for a free YNAB alternative? Compare 5 options in 2026, including truly free apps and cheaper alternatives that cost less than YNAB.

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Net Worth·10 min read

Net Worth Spreadsheet: How to Build and Use One in 2026

Build a net worth spreadsheet that tracks assets, liabilities, and monthly progress. Learn the exact rows to include, formulas to use, and when an app is easier.

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Personal Finance·10 min read

What Is Coast FIRE? How to Calculate Your Coast FIRE Number in 2026

Learn what Coast FIRE means, how the Coast FIRE formula works, and how to estimate your Coast FIRE number with realistic assumptions in 2026.

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Investing·10 min read

How to Start Investing for Beginners in 2026: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to start investing for beginners in 2026 with a simple step-by-step guide, account options, monthly investing formulas, and mistakes to avoid.

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Savings·10 min read

Where to Keep Your Emergency Fund in 2026

Wondering where to keep your emergency fund? Learn why a high-yield savings account is the default choice and when money markets, CDs, or checking make sense.

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App Comparisons·10 min read

Best Budget Apps for Couples in 2026: 5 Options Compared

Looking for the best budget app for couples? Compare 5 strong options for 2026 by pricing, shared-finance features, and which type of couple each one fits.

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Net Worth·10 min read

Best Net Worth Tracker App for iPhone in 2026

Looking for the best net worth tracker app for iPhone? Compare the top options for 2026 by pricing, features, and how much of your financial life they actually cover.

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Budgeting·10 min read

Budgeting for Beginners in 2026: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

New to budgeting? This beginner-friendly guide explains how to start a budget, pick a method, avoid common mistakes, and stay consistent in 2026.

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App Comparisons·11 min read

Best Free Budget Apps for iPhone in 2026: 4 Options Worth Using

Looking for the best free budget app for iPhone? Compare 4 strong options for 2026, including truly free apps and free tiers worth trying.

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App Comparisons·11 min read

Best Expense Tracker Apps for iPhone in 2026: 5 Options Compared

Looking for the best expense tracker app for iPhone? Compare 5 strong options for 2026 by pricing, features, and the type of spender each fits best.

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Net Worth·10 min read

Best Net Worth Tracker Apps in 2026: 5 Options Compared

Looking for the best net worth tracker app? Compare 5 top options for 2026 by pricing, features, platform support, and who each app fits best.

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Personal Finance·10 min read

What Is the FIRE Movement? A Practical Guide for 2026

Learn what the FIRE movement is, how it works, the main FIRE variations, and the biggest risks to understand before aiming for early retirement.

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App Comparisons·10 min read

Best App to Track Spending, Investments, and Crypto Together

Looking for the best app to track spending, investments, and crypto together? Compare the top options for 2026 and see which one fits your setup.

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Budgeting·10 min read

How to Budget as a Couple in 2026: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to budget as a couple in 2026 with simple systems, fair bill-splitting options, and practical steps to stop money stress.

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Personal Finance·10 min read

How to Pay Off Debt Fast in 2026: A Practical Step-by-Step Plan

Learn how to pay off debt fast in 2026 with a realistic plan, payoff methods that work, and ways to lower interest and avoid common mistakes.

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Personal Finance·10 min read

How to Track All Your Money in One App

Learn how to track all your money in one app, including spending, investments, crypto, and home value, without juggling spreadsheets and multiple tools.

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Savings·10 min read

How to Build an Emergency Fund in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to build an emergency fund in 2026, how much to save, where to keep it, and how to make steady progress even on a tight budget.

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Savings·10 min read

What Is a Good Savings Rate? Real Benchmarks for 2026

What is a good savings rate in 2026? Learn practical savings rate benchmarks, how to calculate yours, and what to aim for based on your goals.

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Budgeting·10 min read

What Is Surplus Income? How to Calculate It and Why It Matters

Learn what surplus income means, how to calculate it, and how to use it to make better budgeting decisions in 2026.

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App Comparisons·10 min read

Best Budget Apps for iPhone in 2026: 6 Options Compared

Looking for the best budget app for iPhone? Compare 6 top options for 2026 by price, features, budgeting style, and who each app fits best.

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Net Worth·10 min read

How to Track Your Net Worth in 2026 (Complete Guide)

Learn how to track your net worth in 2026 using a simple monthly system. See what to include, how often to update it, and which tools make it easier.

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Savings·12 min read

How to Save Money on Groceries in 2026: 15 Strategies That Actually Work

Learn how to save money on groceries with 15 proven strategies. Cut your food bill by $1,500–$2,000 a year without sacrificing quality.

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App Comparisons·12 min read

Surplus Budget vs Rocket Money: Complete Comparison for 2026

Comparing Surplus Budget and Rocket Money side by side — features, pricing, and which budgeting app is the better Rocket Money alternative for you.

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App Comparisons·8 min read

Surplus Budget vs Copilot: Which iOS Budget App Wins?

Comparing Surplus Budget and Copilot Money — two iOS-only budget apps. See how they differ on crypto, real estate, net worth tracking, and pricing.

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App Comparisons·9 min read

Surplus Budget vs Monarch Money: Which Budget App Is Right for You?

Comparing Surplus Budget and Monarch Money side by side — pricing, crypto tracking, net worth features, and who each app is best for in 2026.

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App Comparisons·10 min read

Surplus Budget vs YNAB: Which Budget App Is Right for You in 2026?

Comparing Surplus Budget and YNAB side by side — pricing, features, philosophy, and who each app is best for. Find the right YNAB alternative for your needs.

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Net Worth·9 min read

What Is Net Worth and How to Calculate It

Net worth is your total assets minus your total liabilities. Learn how to calculate yours, what counts as an asset or liability, and what the numbers mean.

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Budgeting·10 min read

The 50/30/20 Budget Rule Explained: Complete Guide

The 50/30/20 rule splits your after-tax income into needs (50%), wants (30%), and savings (20%). Learn how it works, with examples and when to adjust it.

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