MyBudget Financial Wellbeing Report 2026: what 741 clients said about money stress, debt, savings and sleep

The Financial Wellbeing Report 2026 sets out what MyBudget clients reported about their own finances after moving from reacting to money problems to following a structured budget plan. It covers money stress, cost-of-living pressure, debt repayments, savings buffers, sleep and relationships.

The full report is free to download: MyBudget Financial Wellbeing Report 2026 (PDF).

What this report is — and what it is not

MyBudget surveyed 741 of its own clients in 2026. Every figure on this page comes from that survey.

Two things follow from that, and they matter when you read the numbers:

• It is a survey of existing MyBudget clients, not of Australians generally. People who have chosen a budgeting service and stayed with it are not a random sample of households, so the results describe that group rather than the country.
• The responses are self-reported. Clients described their own experience of stress, sleep and spending; these are not independently audited financial records.
• It is MyBudget’s own research, published by MyBudget. It has not been peer reviewed and is not independent market research.

None of that makes the findings uninteresting — a consistent pattern across 741 people is worth reading. It does mean the figures are not a prediction of what any other household will experience.

The three headline findings

93% reported significantly less financial stress

Nine in ten clients said they felt significantly less financially stressed after joining MyBudget.

87% reported sleeping better

Clients reported the equivalent of three extra nights of sleep a week that were no longer disrupted by money worry.

A 95% drop in missed repayments

Clients reported no longer being stuck in a cycle of making minimum repayments or missing payments altogether.

Cost-of-living pressure: what clients cut, and what they protected

Rising costs have left many Australian households stretched, and the usual response is to cut wherever the pressure is felt first. The survey suggests clients on a structured plan cut deliberately rather than reactively — trimming discretionary spending to protect essentials.

The two categories cut most often were:

• Dining out — 66.4% of clients reduced it
• Entertainment — 59.8% of clients reduced it

The point is not that cutting dining out is a strategy in itself. It is that when the cuts are chosen in advance inside a plan, the essentials — rent or mortgage, power, groceries, insurance — are the things that stay funded.

Debt: what changed in repayments

When several repayments land in the same fortnight, getting out of debt can feel impossible. What the survey points to is structure rather than a shortcut:

• 95% drop in missed repayments
• 97% of bills paid on time
• 305% increase in paying more than the minimum repayment
• Over half of clients reported no longer needing credit cards at all

Paying more than the minimum is the mechanism that actually reduces a balance. A minimum repayment on a revolving credit card is calculated to cover interest and a small fraction of the principal, which is why a balance can sit almost unchanged for years while being paid every month.

If repayments are becoming hard to manage, see debt help, debt management strategies and credit card debt.

Savings: the buffer clients built

The savings finding is the one that changes the most between joining and the survey date:

• Before joining MyBudget, more than 80% of clients had less than $500 saved
• At the time of the survey, 63.2% had more than $500
• and 53.3% had a buffer of at least $1,000

A buffer of that size does not fund a holiday. What it does is absorb the unbudgeted bill — the car repair, the excess on a claim, the school expense — that would otherwise go onto a credit card and restart the cycle. That is why saving and paying down debt are done together in a budget rather than one after the other.

Financial stress, sleep and relationships

Money stress does not stay in the household budget. The survey asked about its effects on sleep, time and relationships:

• 93% of clients felt significantly less stressed
• three extra nights of undisrupted sleep gained per week
• five days of time back each year, previously spent on financial admin
• 72.9% of couples argued less about money, or stopped arguing about it entirely

The relationship finding is the one clients raise most often unprompted. Arguments about money are frequently arguments about who decided what, and a shared plan removes most of the occasions for that.

How to read a client-outcome statistic

Figures like these are easy to quote and easy to misread, so it is worth being explicit about what they can and cannot support.

They describe a group, not an individual. A 95% drop in missed repayments across 741 people says nothing about whether any particular household will miss a repayment next month.

They are measured against the client’s own starting point. A 305% increase is a change relative to where that group began, not an absolute level.

They do not isolate the cause. Someone who seeks out a budgeting service is already taking action, and circumstances change for other reasons over the same period. The survey shows what clients reported; it is not a controlled study of what the service caused.

They are a point in time. The survey was run in 2026 under the cost-of-living conditions of that year.

What clients said

These comments are published by MyBudget as client testimonials. They are individual experiences shared with permission, not typical outcomes.

“I can breathe now — Gavin from Adelaide helped me so much! I was ready to go into a debt agreement, Part 9 insolvency. In other words bankrupt. Now I have chosen MyBudget, it is not needed!” — Travie, MyBudget client

“I really felt like I was drowning 12 months ago, you really helped me get back on track and pay off my debts.” — Bree, MyBudget client

“In 2018 I found myself in financial hardship, I was close to bankruptcy and losing my home. Within 12 months, all of my debt was paid off… I have a healthy savings account, I am in credit with all of my bills. I have no debt.” — T.J. Corser, MyBudget client

“MyBudget makes me feel calm, less stressed, and hopeful for the future.” — MyBudget client, Melbourne

Getting the report

The complete findings, including the full statistics and client outcomes, are in the Financial Wellbeing Report 2026 (PDF), published on MyBudget’s website.

To talk through your own position rather than the averages, MyBudget’s first appointment is free, confidential and carries no obligation. Call 1300 300 922.

Questions about the Financial Wellbeing Report 2026

What is the MyBudget Financial Wellbeing Report 2026?

It shares findings from a 2026 survey of 741 MyBudget clients navigating modern economic pressures. It looks at the changes clients reported in money stress, debt repayments, savings and sleep, and how a structured budget plan featured in those changes.

What did the report find about cost-of-living pressure?

Many clients reported cutting back on non-essential spending while managing higher living costs. In the survey, 66.4% said they had reduced dining out and 59.8% had reduced entertainment spending.

What did the report find about money stress?

93% of clients said they felt significantly less stressed about money since joining the MyBudget service.

What changed in clients’ debt repayments?

Missed repayments fell by 95% and 97% of bills were paid on time. Clients also reported a 305% increase in paying more than the minimum repayment, which is the part that actually reduces a balance.

What did the report reveal about clients’ savings buffers?

Before joining MyBudget, more than 80% of clients had less than $500 saved. At the time of the survey, 63.2% had more than $500 and 53.3% had a buffer of at least $1,000.

How were clients’ sleep and time affected?

Clients reported three fewer nights of stress-disrupted sleep each week and saved the equivalent of five days a year on financial admin.

How many people were surveyed?

741 MyBudget clients.

Is this independent research?

No. It is MyBudget’s own survey of its own clients, self-reported and published by MyBudget. It is not independent market research and has not been peer reviewed.

Do these results predict what will happen for me?

No. They describe what a group of existing clients reported at one point in time. Your own result depends on your income, your debts and your circumstances.

Where can I get the full report?

It is free to download as a PDF from MyBudget’s website. No purchase is required.

More questions about budgeting with MyBudget

What is a debt management plan?

A debt management plan organises your income, living costs, bills and debt repayments within a structured budget. With MyBudget, the plan is personalised around what you can afford and what you want to achieve. It is not a new loan or a formal debt agreement. It is a practical way to manage your existing commitments while working towards reducing debt.

Can I upload bills and documents through the MyBudget app?

Yes. Clients can upload bills and important documents directly through the MyBudget app, helping keep the information needed for their personalised budget in one place. This makes it easier for MyBudget to review changes, schedule upcoming bills and help keep your plan up to date.

Can I see 12 months ahead in the MyBudget app?

Yes. Unlike apps that only show past and current spending, MyBudget gives clients a personalised 12-month view of upcoming bills, projected balances and future cash flow. See what your money needs to cover before it arrives, make decisions with more confidence and stay on track with your goals.

How is the MyBudget app different from other budgeting apps?

The MyBudget app goes beyond tracking. Most DIY budgeting apps are self-managed tools that show spending after it happens. MyBudget clients can see upcoming bills and projected balances 12 months ahead, have bills scheduled and paid, and get caring Money Coach support to adjust their budget when life changes.

What happens at a free debt consolidation appointment?

We’ll discuss what you owe, your current debt repayments and what is putting pressure on your budget. We’ll then explain the debt consolidation and budgeting options that may suit your situation. Your first appointment is free, with no obligation to proceed and your 12 month budget is yours free to keep.

How does debt consolidation work with MyBudget?

We review your debts, repayments, expenses and financial goals before explaining the options that may suit you. This could include a debt consolidation loan or, if borrowing isn’t suitable, a personalised debt management plan with creditor support and ongoing money management.

Can MyBudget help me plan beyond the next 12 months?

Yes. Your initial 12-month budget plan shows what is ahead, while MyBudget’s budgeting system can project potential debt-free dates and when you could reach savings goals. It can also include retirement goals, helping you understand how contributions may fit within your budget.

Could MyBudget help if I earn a good income but still feel financially stuck?

Yes. A good income does not always make money easier to manage. If bills, debt, irregular expenses or money admin keep absorbing what you earn, MyBudget can build a personalised budget, manage payments and help direct more of your income towards savings and goals.

When should I speak to a licensed financial adviser?

Speak to a licensed financial adviser or financial planner when you need personal advice about investments, superannuation, insurance, retirement strategies or financial products. MyBudget can support the practical side by helping organise cash flow, bills, debt and savings, giving you a stronger foundation for longer-term decisions.

Can MyBudget tell me when I will be debt free?

Yes, MyBudget can estimate when you could become debt free based on your income, expenses, existing debts and repayments. Our budgeting software creates a personalised 12-month budget showing your upcoming bills, repayment progress and projected debt-free date. With ongoing support from our team, you will have a clear timeline and a practical plan to work towards becoming debt free.

Can I get debt help without taking out another loan?

Yes, it may be possible to reduce debt without taking out another loan. MyBudget can help you organise your finances, prioritise repayments and create a personalised budget that supports your existing commitments. Where appropriate, we can also communicate with creditors about more manageable arrangements. This approach can help you work towards debt relief without relying on additional credit.

Can MyBudget help if I have multiple debts?

Yes, MyBudget can help you manage multiple debts by organising your repayments, bills and everyday expenses into one personalised budget. This may include credit cards, personal loans, overdue bills and other financial commitments. We work with you to prioritise repayments, stay on top of due dates and reduce debt without losing sight of your other financial goals.

What if my debt repayments are more than I can afford?

If your debt repayments are more than you can afford, MyBudget can review your income, expenses and existing financial commitments to identify a more manageable approach. We can help prioritise essential bills, explore suitable debt solutions and, where possible, negotiate repayment arrangements with your creditors. The aim is to ease immediate financial pressure while creating a practical path towards reducing your debt.

Does MyBudget provide financial advice?

No. MyBudget provides personal budgeting, debt help and money management services, not financial product or investment advice. We specialise in personalised budgeting, cash flow management, debt reduction strategies and savings plans that help reduce money stress and support your financial goals. We do not recommend specific financial products, investments, superannuation or insurance. If you need investment or specialised financial planning advice, speak with a licensed financial adviser while MyBudget supports your budget, debt management and savings plan.

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Important information

This page provides general information only. It does not take your personal circumstances into account and is not personal financial advice. For the scope and licensing of a particular service, check the service provider's current disclosures or contact MyBudget.

All statistics on this page are from MyBudget’s own 2026 survey of 741 of its clients. They are self-reported, describe that group of clients at one point in time, and are not a prediction of what any other household will achieve.

Client comments are individual experiences shared with permission, not typical outcomes.

Free, independent and confidential financial counselling is available from the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007, and ASIC’s MoneySmart website publishes free guidance. MyBudget is not a registered debt agreement administrator; where a Part 9 debt agreement appears suitable, MyBudget can refer you to its sister company MyDebtSolutions, which is a registered administrator.

Call MyBudget on 1300 300 922 for a free, confidential, no-obligation appointment. Your personalised 12-month budget is free and yours to keep.

Related guides and tools

• Debt help in Australia
• Budgeting help
• Debt management strategies
• Credit card debt in Australia
• MyBudget client stories
• MyBudget FAQs