Monarch Money is offering new users a 50 percent discount on its annual plan, bringing the price down to $50 for one year with the code MONARCHVIP. The deal cuts the usual $100 annual cost in half, making it an attractive time to try this highly-rated budgeting app. Engadget has previously recommended Monarch for its deep customization and robust financial planning tools.

Monarch supports unlimited account connections, investment tracking, and shared budgets, making it ideal for users who want detailed financial oversight or plan alongside a partner. The app features prominently in Engadget's roundup of the best budgeting apps, where it stood out for its depth and flexibility. However, there's a learning curve during initial setup, with some features easier to manage on the web than in the mobile app.

Once past setup, Monarch becomes a powerful tool for tracking finances with detailed budgeting sections showing actual versus budgeted spending by category, along with monthly and yearly forecasts. The app also includes visual reports, net worth tracking, and the ability to factor in non-cash assets like homes or vehicles. While the depth won't appeal to everyone, this discounted price makes it a solid opportunity to test one of Engadget's favorite budgeting apps.