SIMPL for Newlyweds: two sets of money habits, one plan
Full disclosure: SIMPL is our product; we make it and sell it. This page describes what money looks like for a newlywed, 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 newlywed
What makes it hard
- Two people with different habits and no agreed system
- Deciding what is shared and what stays personal without it becoming a fight
- Wedding costs that carried over as debt
- Saving for a first home while paying down loans
What this month costs where you live
An illustrative month for a newlywed at US-average prices is about $5,260. 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 $7,278 a month
- Monroe, MI (overall 93.5, rents 74.6): about $4,713 a month
- Monroe, LA (overall 83.6, rents 42.8): about $4,060 a month
| Line | US average | Scaled by | Your metro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,800 | rents | $1,800 |
| Utilities and internet | $230 | utilities | $230 |
| Groceries | $650 | goods | $650 |
| Two cars' gas and costs | $500 | goods | $500 |
| Insurance and phones | $380 | services | $380 |
| Wedding card and student loan | $600 | not scaled | $600 |
| House deposit savings | $700 | not scaled | $700 |
| Personal spending (each) | $400 | services | $400 |
| Month | $5,260 | $5,260 |
Illustrative amounts, not a statistic about newlyweds; 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 newlyweds
- Zero-based budget. Build one monthly plan together, with a personal allowance line for each of you.
- Savings goals. A house-deposit goal with a target date shows how far away it really is.
- Debt payoff (snowball or avalanche). Plan the wedding card and the student loan with snowball or avalanche and see the payoff dates.
- Net worth over time. Watch your combined net worth move as the debt goes down and the savings go up.
$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 newlywed:
- IRS: filing status: Which filing status applies after a marriage, divorce or other change.
- CFPB: owning a home: Independent guidance on saving for, and buying, a first home.
- AnnualCreditReport.com: The official site for your free credit reports from all three bureaus.
What the other apps cost
| App | Price | Three years |
|---|---|---|
| Monarch Money | $99 a year | $297 over 3 years |
| You Need A Budget | $109 a year | $327 over 3 years |
| Copilot Money | $95 a year | $285 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 newlywed?
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.