I'd refer to it as more of a "set-it-and-forget-it automated financial framework". I'm not, for example, pondering how much I'm spending on groceries, frantically updating YNAB with those transactions. Everything's sorted and just keeps working for me.
> Mint scrapes the sites and stores passwords in plaintext
Incorrect:
> How secure is my login information I store in Mint?
> Your login user name and passwords are stored securely in a separate database using multi-layered hardware and software encryption. We only store the information needed to save you the trouble of updating, syncing or uploading financial information manually.
That's hyperbole. Having a bird's eye view of every single account, transaction, investments, net worth, etc. is "totally useless"? No.
I use Mint and it works quite well for keeping an eye on your financial life at a glance. I don't need some micro-managey software like YNAB (that I'd have to pay for monthly!) to continually increase my wealth and keep debt in check - here's my tricks:
* Pay off credit card in full every month (I have one card that I use for gas, etc.)
* Invest 20% into company-matched 401k, my Roth, etc. primarily focused on S&P 500 Index Funds
* Save roughly $275/check into a liquid savings account.
* I have no car payment (paid of my 2010 Subaru that I got for $9k).
* Everything on autopay.
* Don't buy stupid nonsense.
It's worked well thus far. There's no real "need" to budget - KISS principle wins the day again.