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10 Budgeting Apps for Couples That Make It Easy to Share Finances
Get a joint bank account, they say.

It’ll be fine, they say.

So you do it.

But then you discover your significant other doesn’t prioritize saving as much as you do. Your partner, on the other hand, can’t fathom why you consider a new outfit to be “a need” when you have a closet full of clothes.

Before the tense money discussions become full-on arguments, you and your partner need to get on the same page about your shared finances… or better yet, the same app.

Breaking Down the Best Budgeting Apps for Couples

EveryDollar
If you and your partner are fans of Dave Ramsey’s favorite money management method, the zero-based budget, this app will be right up your alley.

But that doesn’t mean you’d have to abandon your 50/30/20 budget if that’s what you prefer. You can customize the budget template to fit what works for you.

This budgeting app is known for providing great user experience without a bunch of distracting ads. If you opt into the premium version Ramsey Plus, you get automatic syncing to your bank account — which the free version does not provide — and access to Ramsey’s Financial Peace University.

Goodbudget

Goodbudget is for couples who like the cash envelope system but are ready to stop carrying cash everywhere.

This app uses virtual envelopes for your various spending categories. If you’re using the free version, you get a total of 20 envelopes. The paid version allows you unlimited envelopes.

Another difference between the two versions: You can only use the app on two devices with the free version; whereas with the paid version, you can use up to five devices.

With Goodbudget, you’ll need to be comfortable manually updating your envelopes when you make purchases or uploading your transaction history from your bank. The app does not sync to bank accounts to track spending in real time.

Honeydue

Honeydue helps you and your partner stay on the same page by letting you track spending and saving together, collectively manage debt and save for the future.

Like its name implies, Honeydue has a feature that reminds you and your honey when bills are due. You can also chat with your partner directly in the app about all things financial.

Firstly
Firstly is a budgeting app that’s ideal for couples who are carrying the financial responsibilities of raising children plus assisting their aging parents. The app is created as a one-stop shop for managing family finances.

In addition to tracking spending and wealth building, Firstly helps to encourage money convos by letting users send in-app communication to their partner or another family member. You can also set family savings goals, like putting aside money for a big vacation or to purchase a larger house. You set your savings rules and authorize Firstly to pull a certain percentage or a set amount from your checking accounts each month.

Firstly was previously known as Honeyfi until Strategic Financial Solutions acquired the app in March 2021 and rebranded it.

So now go ahead and explore more apps for the list!

How can I get a loan with bad credit?
Finding a bad credit loan can be a challenge. Stick to it. Diligence will be rewarded. The loan could come from your regular bank, but more affordable interest rates and flexible qualifying requirements probably can be found with these options:

Credit unions – Typically have more flexible lending standards than banks and may be willing to offer a small personal loan. Membership is easy to obtain, in most cases.
Family or friends – It’s easier to qualify and hopefully has lower interest rates. Credit history also may not count as much.
Find a co-signer – Use someone else’s high credit score to lower your interest rate.
Borrow from the equity in your home – Credit score is not a factor. If you have equity in the house, this is an attractive debt relief option.
Peer-to-Peer Loans – These are loans from an individual or group of individuals rather than a lending institution.
Online Loans – This is a significant market of lenders, who can be flexible with terms.
Negotiate an Agreement with Your Bank – Use a long-term relationship with your bank to obtain a short-term loan at reasonable rates.
Cash advances – Not advised because this is an expensive option, but in an emergency, it’s available.
Other options like borrowing from a retirement fund (must be paid back or face a penalty); borrowing against life insurance (more penalties); and payday loans (exorbitant interest charges) exist but are risky. A better alternative would be to consolidate debt.

What Is Considered a Bad Credit Score?
Credit scores range from 300-850 and though there is no official start to the “bad credit score” category, it’s safe to say if you’re under 650 you are considered a high risk, which means you will pay the highest interest rates.

People in this category are prime candidates for bad credit loans.

The definition of a “good” and “bad” credit score does vary from lender to lender. Some won’t touch anyone with a credit score under 650; some actually market to consumers with a sub-650 score.

So it’s hard to say what makes you “good” or “bad” on the credit scoreboard, but the accepted range looks something like this:
760-850 – Excellent
700-759 – Very good
660-699 – Fair
620-659 – Poor
Scores under 620 – Extremely poor
If this is not an emergency, the first step would be to improve your credit score so you are able to afford the loan you need.

Pay bills on-time, especially on credit cards; reduce the balance on cards to less than 30% of the credit limit allowed. Finally, don’t apply for any new credit.

The combination of those three factors – on-time payment; low credit utilization; no new credit applications – account for 75% of your credit score. It’s not unrealistic to think that making an effort on those three fronts could raise your score by 100 points in as little as 3-to-6 months.

If, however, this is an emergency and your application for a loan has been turned down repeatedly due to poor credit or no credit, it might help to ask a bank or credit union loan officer for an in-person interview to convince them you are creditworthy.

If you get that interview, be sure you are prepared with documents that prove you’re a better risk than the credit score suggests. Lending institutions love stability. It definitely helps your case if you can show them that you’ve lived in the same house (or city) and worked the same job (preferably for the same employer) for several years.

Common things to bring that prove your credit worthiness include:
Tax returns, W-2s and 1099 forms from at least the last two years
Details of your job history, including salary and pay stubs
List of assets such as home, car, property and where you stand on paying them off
List of unsecured debts such as credit cards, student loans and medical bills
Whether you pay or receive alimony or child support
Bank statements for checking, savings and CDs
Not all of these documents are required, but if you have a poor credit history, anything you can produce that demonstrates you have become responsible with your money will be considered a plus. You should also expect the lender to ask questions about your credit history that may reflect negatively on you. Things like:

Have you been involved in any lawsuits?
Do you have any court judgments against you or items in collection?
Have you declared bankruptcy or had a foreclosure judgment against you?
What is your ethnic background?
The last question would seem to violate anti-discrimination laws, but it is required by the government so that it can keep data on lending to minorities and make sure they aren’t routinely turned down or charged excessive fees.

The purpose of an in-person interview is to convince the lender that if you receive a loan, you can comfortably make payments. Any evidence you have that can support that fact – especially proof that you paid off loans on assets like a car, motorcycle or boat in the past – are going to work in your favor.