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Budgeting is a key part of adult life. It helps you manage your money better each month so that you have enough for all the necessities and, hopefully, the fun money, too.
Then there’s debt management, which is crucial for anyone with a lot of repayments to make. To avoid feeling swallowed whole by those repayments, it’s important to have a structured plan that helps you get out of debt in a stress-free, manageable manner.
Luckily, there are tools that can help with both budgeting and debt management, and these are 5 of the very best.
1. Achieve
Make your way out of debt with the financial service Achieve. Achieve is unique in that it provides a human touch in the world of financial services with its negotiation service, giving you the chance to consolidate your debts so that you can make smaller payments until you are debt-free.
Real experts for negotiation: There are real experts behind Achieve who work hard to deliver a unique, tailored service to each user, using their experience to negotiate better debt repayment terms. This can slash the cost of your debt repayments, making them more manageable.
An easy application process: It’s easy to get started with Achieve. There is a useful tool on their website that gives you a general look at what you may repay each month and for how long based on the amount of your debt overall. From there, you can make just one payment each month, making it far easier to manage your budget and understand where every cent is going.
Achieve is a true standout because the service has already helped thousands of people overcome their debts and live with more financial freedom. They have already resolved over $20 billion in debt, and your current debt could be added to that high number.
2. Upgrade
Upgrade is a fintech company that supports better budgeting and debt management through more structured repayment products, giving you more control over how you make repayments. Upgrade specifically focuses on predictability.
The Upgrade Card: This is a standout for anyone wanting access to cash but wanting to stay in control of their budget, as it allows flexible spending alongside fixed instalment payments. So, you will automatically pay a fixed amount each month for a set term period (up to 60 months). This gives you a finish line for your credit card debt.
Managing Debt: For debt consolidation, Upgrade offers personal loans with a direct pay feature. The loan funds can be directly sent to your creditors for an automated and easy way out of debt.
3. OneMain Financial
OneMain Financial is a personal loan company that offers a variety of loans based on your needs, including secured loans, unsecured loans, and joint loans for couples. Their terms are very attractive:
- Ability to borrow $1,500-$30,000
- Terms ranging from 24 to 60 months
- Fixed loan rates
A face-to-face experience: While you can access these loans easily online (and receive money fast, too), OneMain Financial also has in-person branches in the US for an in-person experience. That means you can talk directly to a consultant about your options, which can often feel refreshing in this day and age.
With their services, you can stretch your budget further, paying for high unexpected life costs like vet visits or car replacements.
4. Lightstream
If you have a good or excellent credit score, you have the advantage of access to LightStream’s financial services.
A high credit score is needed: LightStream is a gold standard lending service, specifically for anyone with a credit score of 740 or above. With this credit score, you gain access to same-day funding for specific projects, such as renovating a home or buying a new car.
These big life purchases can be tough on your budget, and LightStream makes it that much easier with low-interest, fixed rates.
5. Prosper
Prosper is an online service that offers personal loans of up to $50k. It is a standout because of its easy-to-use tool, which allows you to view your personal loan offer within a minute without it impacting your credit score.
As well as offering quick access to cash that you might need in times of financial strain, there are also services like debt consolidation, a credit card, and investment diversification.
Backed by past lenders: The service has already helped 2 million people receive the loans they need to help live their dreams. So, if you have a big cost coming up that will help you in the long run, such as a home renovation, using this tool means you can access money but still stay ahead with an easy repayment plan.
A financial service can help you make better budgeting decisions
Any one of these financial services will make debt management and budgeting that much easier. So, which one is best?
Achieve is the standout for debt-burdened households, as they have a dedicated team offering negotiation services and a guided resolution, helping you find a route out of debt.
For more strategic budgeting, you might prefer LightStream. This one works the best for people with ultra-high credit scores with assets to back their loans.