Guides
Money, in plain words.
Short guides on budgeting together, saving for what matters and using your bank safely.
Couples and money
- A budget app for couples that keeps your banks separateWollie is a budget app for couples. Each of you connects your own bank, and Wollie puts them together in one household plan.
- How to budget as a couple, step by stepA simple way for two people to budget together: agree on the goal, split the bills, set category budgets and review once a month.
- How to talk about money with your partner without a fightA calm way to start the money talk with your partner: when to have it, what to say, and how to keep it short and kind.
- How to split expenses fairly as a coupleSplit 50/50, split by income, or put everything in one pot? Here is how each way works and how to choose.
- Joint account or separate accounts: which is better for couples?The pros and cons of a joint account, separate accounts, and a mix of both, so you can choose what suits your relationship.
- Money dates: a 20-minute monthly check-in for couplesHow to run a short monthly money date with your partner: a simple agenda, the numbers to look at and how to keep it positive.
- How to pay off debt as a coupleA clear plan to pay off debt together: list it all, choose snowball or avalanche, and stay on track month by month.
- Your first year living together: a simple money planMoving in together? Here is how to share costs, set up your accounts and agree on the money basics in your first year.
Saving
- Saving for a house as a coupleHow two people can save for a home together: set a target, pick a monthly amount, and keep going with a fixed transfer on payday.
- How big should your emergency fund be?How much to keep for emergencies, how to work out your number, and how to build it a little at a time.
- How to save for a wedding togetherA simple plan to save for your wedding: set the budget, choose the date, split the saving and track it month by month.
- Sinking funds explained: save for big costs a little at a timeA sinking fund is money you set aside each month for a known future cost. Here is how to use them for holidays, gifts, repairs and more.
- How to save for a holiday togetherPlan and save for a trip as a couple: set the total, split it by month, and keep spending money separate from the booking.
- Pay yourself first: the easiest way to save every monthPay yourself first means saving on payday, before you spend. Here is how to set it up so saving happens by itself.
- How to budget for a baby as a couplePlan your money for a baby: the one-off costs, the new monthly costs, and how to prepare your budget before the baby arrives.
Budgeting methods
- The 50/30/20 budget rule, explainedThe 50/30/20 rule splits your after-tax income into needs, wants and savings. Here is how it works and how to use it.
- How to budget on an irregular incomeIf your pay changes from month to month, here is a simple way to budget: plan on your lowest months and save the extra.
- A simple household budget template for twoA plain monthly household budget you can copy: the categories to include, how to fill it in, and how to keep it up to date.
- The zero-based budget, explained simplyIn a zero-based budget every euro has a job. Here is how it works, who it suits and how to start.
- Envelope budgeting: how it works and how to do it digitallyThe envelope method gives each spending category a fixed amount. Here is how it works and how to use it without cash.
- How to track your spending without a spreadsheetThree simple ways to track what you spend, from a notebook to automatic tracking with a connected bank.
- How to find and cancel forgotten subscriptionsSmall monthly charges add up. Here is how to find every subscription you pay for and decide which to keep.
- How to set a grocery budget for twoWork out a realistic grocery budget for two people, and a few simple habits to keep to it without feeling restricted.
- How much rent can you afford as a couple?A simple way to work out how much rent you can afford, using your take-home pay and the rest of your budget.
Banks and safety
- See all your banks in one budget appConnect more than one bank to Wollie and see your spending, budgets and savings in one place. The connection is read-only.
- What is open banking, and how does it work?Open banking lets you share your bank data with an app of your choice, safely. Here is how it works and what it means for you.
- Is it safe to connect your bank to a budget app?What to check before you connect a bank to a budgeting app: read-only access, where you sign in, and how to disconnect.