The short answer: Daren and Angela lifted their credit score from 436 to 800 and cleared over $30,000 in debt in 11 months. They didn’t refinance and they didn’t use a credit repair specialist. They sat down with us every month and made small decisions that added up.

✅ Credit score: 436 to 800.

✅ Debt cleared: over $30,000.

✅ Available funds: over $30,000, with nothing owing but the mortgage.

✅ Backup buffer: nearly $10,000.

✅ Credit card paid off and closed.

Why Were Daren & Angela About To Refinance?

In November 2025, Daren and Angela were about to refinance their mortgage to clear their debt. It would have been their third refinance in as many years.

It looked like the sensible move because it’s what they’d done every time. The debt built up, they refinanced to clear it, and a year later they were back in the same spot. Each time, they carried more debt on their family home than before.

Then their broker, Michael Faraonio, did something that doesn’t happen often enough. He looked past the quick fix. Three refinances with high debt each time told him this wasn’t a loan problem. It was a spending problem, and a fourth refinance would only treat the symptom and leave the spending untouched.

Instead of writing the loan, he sent them to us.

Why Didn’t They Just Refinance?

Because they realised that the debt wasn’t the underlying problem. Where the money was going each month was.

Refinancing moves the debt into your home. It doesn’t change the habits that built it. Refinancing debt without fixing the habits behind it can turn your biggest asset into your biggest liability.

What Did Daren & Angela Actually Do?

There was no magic trick and no shortcut. No spreadsheets that gather dust either.

They came to us and we built the plan together. They had the opportunity to see, for the first time, how their debt and their decisions were choking their cashflow. The numbers didn’t lie, and that clarity became their power.

Then, month after month, they looked honestly at where their money was going. They made small, unglamorous decisions, one at a time. While they built a genuine backup buffer, we set up consistent weekly savings with a strong focus on clearing debt.

How Did It Feel?

Somewhere along the way, the stress of debt started to lift. What replaced it was something they hadn’t felt in a long time: breathing room.

They went from dreading what was in their account to trusting it. They went from “how are we going to get through this?” to “where do we want to go next?” They even have a cruise potentially booked for next year. Financial freedom buys you time, not just money.

Angela’s Google review says it best:

“I am so grateful that our broker referred us to Your Budget Mates, Andrew and Alyssa. They have helped us completely turn our finances around. We have no more financial stress and are in such a better position after only 6 months. We have stayed on with Your Budget Mates for another 12 months as this experience has been life changing. We can’t thank Your Budget Mates enough. What a fantastic couple to work alongside with, helping us every step of the way without any judgement, just a sincere desire to help. Thanks again Andrew and Alyssa.”

Can A Budget Really Lift Your Credit Score?

A budget doesn’t change your score directly. It changes what you do with your money, and that’s what moves the score. Your score is built from your credit file: whether you repay on time, how much you owe, and how often you apply for credit. As Daren and Angela’s habits changed, their score followed. Not sure where yours sits? Read what a credit score is and how to build a good one, or see our earlier results on improving your credit score.

A special thank you to Michael Faraonio. Putting your client’s long-term outcome ahead of a quick refinance is exactly why this story has the ending it does.

How Much Is NOT Budgeting Costing You?

If you’re reading this and thinking, “what a great result,” ask yourself the same question we asked Daren and Angela. Do you know where your money is going each month?

The best time to build a plan is before you need one. Book your discovery meeting this week, and let’s build yours together. Or read more client stories first.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can you really lift a credit score from 436 to 800 in 11 months? It happened for Daren and Angela. Results depend on where you start and how consistently you stick to your budget, so we can’t promise the same outcome.

Should I refinance to clear my debt? It depends on your situation, and a good broker will help you work it out. Before you do, look at what caused the debt. If the spending stays the same, the debt can come back, now with your home behind it.

What’s the difference between a budget coach and a mortgage broker? A broker arranges your loan. A budget coach works with you on your day-to-day money, month after month, so the habits behind the debt change. They work well together, as this story shows.

Andrew Mates is the co-founder and lead money coach at Your Budget Mates, alongside his wife Alyssa. He holds a Diploma in Finance and Mortgage Broking but is not a broker. He’s based in Normanville, South Australia, and coaches clients Australia-wide.

This article is general information only, not financial advice. These results are Daren and Angela’s, and yours will depend on your situation.