SIMPL for People Rebuilding After Divorce: starting over with one income and a clear picture
Full disclosure: SIMPL is our product; we make it and sell it. This page describes what money looks like for a person rebuilding after divorce, what it costs where you live using government price data, what SIMPL does and what it doesn't, and what the other apps cost, so you can decide for yourself.
A month of money, for a person rebuilding after divorce
What makes it hard
- Taking over finances you didn't manage before
- One income covering costs that used to be shared
- Settlement debt now in your name alone
- Tracking support payments and a new tax situation
What this month costs where you live
An illustrative month for a person rebuilding after divorce at US-average prices is about $3,800. Prices differ a lot by metro, and not evenly: rents vary far more than groceries. Each line below is scaled by the matching part of the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis's Regional Price Parities for 2024 (US average = 100). Debt payments and savings aren't scaled.
- San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA (overall 115.6, rents 194.7): about $5,479 a month
- Monroe, MI (overall 93.5, rents 74.6): about $3,333 a month
- Monroe, LA (overall 83.6, rents 42.8): about $2,803 a month
| Line | US average | Scaled by | Your metro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,500 | rents | $1,500 |
| Utilities and internet | $200 | utilities | $200 |
| Groceries and household | $500 | goods | $500 |
| Car loan, gas and insurance | $650 | goods | $650 |
| Phone and other services | $250 | services | $250 |
| Settlement debt payment | $400 | not scaled | $400 |
| Emergency fund | $300 | not scaled | $300 |
| Month | $3,800 | $3,800 |
Illustrative amounts, not a statistic about people rebuilding after divorce; your own month will differ. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by MSA (table MARPP), 2024, 387 metropolitan areas.
What SIMPL does for people rebuilding after divorce
- Zero-based budget. A budget built from scratch around one income, with every bill on it.
- Debt payoff (snowball or avalanche). A dated payoff plan for the settlement debt.
- Net worth over time. See your own net worth, and watch it climb, month by month.
- Automatic spending categories. Track support received and paid as its own category for your records.
$199 once · 30-day money-back guarantee
Get SIMPL — $199What SIMPL doesn't do
- SIMPL does not give financial, tax or investment advice, file your taxes, or move money for you. It records, categorises and plans.
- It tracks investment and retirement balances for your net worth; it does not trade or manage them.
- Bank connection runs through Plaid and depends on Plaid supporting your bank; you can always enter or import transactions yourself.
- SIMPL is $199 once and runs on the device you install it on. Using it on more than one device, or sharing it live with a partner, needs Cloud Sync at $4.99 a month (optional).
Independent help, free, and not us
An app records and plans; it doesn't replace real guidance. These official and nonprofit sources are worth knowing for a person rebuilding after divorce:
- IRS: filing status: Which filing status applies after a marriage, divorce or other change.
- AnnualCreditReport.com: The official site for your free credit reports from all three bureaus.
- NFCC nonprofit credit counseling: The National Foundation for Credit Counseling connects you with nonprofit counselors.
What the other apps cost
| App | Price | Three years |
|---|---|---|
| You Need A Budget | $109 a year | $327 over 3 years |
| Monarch Money | $99 a year | $297 over 3 years |
| Rocket Money | Free to use | — |
| SIMPL | $199 once | $199 |
Published prices, checked April 2026; they change. Several of these apps do things SIMPL doesn't; if one of those is what you need, the subscription may be worth it.
Questions
Is SIMPL a subscription?
No. SIMPL is $199 once, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. The only optional extra is Cloud Sync at $4.99 a month, if you want it on more than one device or shared with a partner.
Does it connect to my bank?
Yes, through Plaid, when Plaid supports your bank. You can also enter or import transactions yourself.
Is SIMPL right for every person rebuilding after divorce?
Not always. If you want investment advice, bill pay or a credit score, SIMPL doesn't do those. If you only want a free spending feed, a free app may be enough. SIMPL is for people who want a real budget, goals and reports without a yearly bill.