FinMate: A Digital Companion for Financial Tracking and Planning

Abstract

Personal finance management remains a significant challenge for many individuals, particularly in budgeting, saving, tracking expenses, and achieving long-term financial goals. Despite the availability of various financial management applications, many users continue to struggle with translating financial knowledge into disciplined financial behavior. This study aimed to develop and evaluate FinMate: A Digital Companion for Financial Tracking and Planning, a web-based financial management system designed to assist users in monitoring expenses, managing budgets, setting financial goals, and improving financial decision-making through automated planning and financial analytics.
The study employed a quantitative-descriptive research design and utilized purposive sampling to select respondents consisting of students, young professionals, educators, and small business owners. Data were collected through a validated survey questionnaire adapted from the ISO/IEC 25010:2023 software quality model and administered using Google Forms. Statistical analysis was conducted using weighted mean and Likert scale interpretation to evaluate user challenges, system features, and overall software acceptability.
Results revealed that respondents sometimes experience difficulties in budgeting, savings management, and financial planning, obtaining an overall mean score of 3.57. The developed FinMate system received a favorable evaluation, with an overall mean score of 4.16 for its features, interpreted as “Agree.” Furthermore, the system achieved acceptable ratings across major ISO/IEC 25010 quality characteristics, including functional suitability (4.17), performance efficiency (4.04), compatibility (4.08), and reliability (4.13). These findings indicate that the system effectively supports users in managing their finances and addressing common financial management challenges.
The study concludes that FinMate is a reliable, user-friendly, and acceptable financial management tool that promotes better financial planning, budgeting, and decision-making. Future enhancements may incorporate advanced analytics and intelligent recommendation features to further improve user experience and financial outcomes.