Qube Money Review (2021): The Only REAL Digital Cash Envelope App

This post is sponsored by Qube Money. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are 100% our own.

Qube Money Review

I am a firm believer in the cash envelope system. It's honestly the BEST way to stop your bad spending habits immediately, and force yourself to ONLY spend money on what you budgeted for.

The only bummer is that cash envelopes are kind of a hassle. And they don't really fit in your wallet. And honestly, a lot of people just don't carry much cash anymore (myself included).

That's why excited that someone has finally created digital cash envelopes that function 100% the same as using real cash.

What Is Qube Money?

Qube Money is a new finance app that takes the power of cash envelopes, and combines it into an easy-to-use budgeting and banking app!

Qube Money has partnered with Choice Financial to create a true digital cash envelope bank account that allows you to connect your budget and your bank to make sure your money ONLY goes where you tell it to go.

It is also expanding its capabilities to allow peer-to-peer money transfers, budget automation, and bill pay (coming soon).

Qube Money uses a Visa debit card attached to a Qube Bank Account to give you complete, secure control of your money.

How Does Qube Money App Work?

When you sign up for Qube and download the app, you start by funding your Qube Money Account (or linking an external bank account). This would act as your checking account.

Then you split up the funds in your account into "Qubes", which are your spending categories for the month. This includes, groceries, shopping, entertainment, gas, bills, etc.

Once your Qubes are funded, use the following 4-step process for purchases:

1. Open the Qube Money app and select the Qube you need to use (say, groceries)
2. All the money from the Qube is instantly transferred to the Qube Visa debit card
3. Use the Qube Debit Card for your purchase (just like any regular debit card)
4. The money is spent from your debit card, and the remaining balance is instantly transferred back to your Qube in the app

When I first heard about this, I thought "that's amazing!" Immediately followed by "wait a minute…"

I was skeptical of the app’s ability to give me the money I wanted while I was waiting in line at the grocery store (or at a coffee drive through).

But even in the BETA version, the Qube is funded in just seconds. Check out the video below for real-time testing.

Qube Money Benefits

Qube money is an app that can truly revolutionize how people manage their money day-to-day, and can stop overspending in its tracks!

Here are a few of my favorite benefits of using Qube Money:

Active Budgeting. Qube Money's most unique feature is that it makes you budget in real-time. This active budgeting requires that you make an informed spending decision for every purchase. You need to open the app, fund the purchase from one of your "Qubes", and then only spend the funds you have available.

Real-Time Money Tracking. In addition to requiring that you intentionally spend your money, it will also auto-update your "Qube balance" and total account balance in real time. It's the same as seeing cash leave your wallet, and knowing what you have left.

Customize Your Money. Qubes aren't just for spending. You can create Qubes for savings goals, Qubes for debt payoff or anything else you want to fund. I also love the idea of using Qubes as Savings Buckets for infrequent expenses.

Extra Money Protection. The Qube Debit Card has a default balance of $0, because the money isn't there until you select the Qube you are spending from the app. This give you an extra layer of protection vs. a tradition checking account debit card.

Qube Money is truly the only REAL digital cash envelope app that works the way real cash does.

How To Budget With Qube Money

Qube Money takes everything we love about the cash envelope system and brings it into the digital age. The best part about budgeting with Qube Money is that you can build an individual budget or you can create a budget that fits any family size!

Like using cash envelopes, you start your budget by identifying the categories you want and need. Then, you determine how much money you will allocate toward each category. These categories become your money qubes. 

Once you have your qubes set up, you spend money like always. Except instead of paying with cash from different envelopes, you use a debit card that is synced to your qubes. The second you swipe your debit card, the money is deducted from your qube.

If you’re wondering where the money comes from, you can use either an internal account or you can link Qube Money to an existing external account. 

As the month progresses, you can check in with your qubes to see if your spending is on track or not. Instead of sorting through different envelopes and remembering to take them with you, Qube Money streamlines the process. It makes budgeting simpler and streamlined, even if you set up your account with a partner or a whole family!

Connecting Qube Money To Apple Pay & Google Pay

Qube comes with a debit card, but if you're a big user of Apple Pay or Google Pay (I am!), you can now connect your Qube account directly to these apps!

Simply open you Apple or Google Pay app, input the card information, and you're good to go. Since the Qube card has a unique design (numbers on the back), you'll need to punch in the card info manually to get it added.

Remember - When you choose to use Qube with Apple or Google pay, you still need to select which qube you are spending from within the app BEFORE buying something. Again, this is the magic of cash envelopes in a digital world!

Qube Money Plans And Pricing

No two people or families have the same financial situation. That’s why Qube Money offers a variety of options to meet your needs. Qube Money has three tiers of plans available now, with a fourth plan option coming soon. 

The plans include:

• Basic for $0
• Premium for $8/month - Coming soon! 
• Family for $15/month - Coming soon! 
• Platinum for $25/month - Coming soon!