SIMPL for People New to the US: learning American money one bill at a time
Full disclosure: SIMPL is our product; we make it and sell it. This page describes what money looks like for a person new to the US, 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 new to the US
What makes it hard
- No US credit history, so bigger deposits and fewer options
- Money sent home each month, with fees and exchange rates
- Unfamiliar costs: renter's insurance, withholding, first tax return
- Keeping track of savings and accounts in two countries
What this month costs where you live
An illustrative month for a person new to the US at US-average prices is about $3,310. 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 $4,894 a month
- Monroe, MI (overall 93.5, rents 74.6): about $2,885 a month
- Monroe, LA (overall 83.6, rents 42.8): about $2,374 a month
| Line | US average | Scaled by | Your metro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,450 | rents | $1,450 |
| Utilities and internet | $190 | utilities | $190 |
| Groceries | $450 | goods | $450 |
| Transit or car | $250 | goods | $250 |
| Phone and insurance | $220 | services | $220 |
| Money sent home | $400 | not scaled | $400 |
| Savings | $350 | not scaled | $350 |
| Month | $3,310 | $3,310 |
Illustrative amounts, not a statistic about people new to the us; 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 new to the us
- Automatic spending categories. Money sent home, and its fees, as its own category so you know the real monthly cost.
- Zero-based budget. A plan that includes the costs nobody explained.
- Net worth over time. Track what you're building in the US in one number.
- Savings goals. Separate goals for an emergency fund and for a bigger plan, like a car or tuition.
$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 new to the US:
- IRS: ITIN: Getting an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number if you don't have a Social Security number.
- IRS: international taxpayers: Tax rules for residents with income or accounts in more than one country.
- FDIC Money Smart: Free money-management lessons from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
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 |
| PocketGuard | $75 a year | $225 over 3 years |
| 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 new to the US?
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.