Wagestreams
The Problem
Traditional monthly pay cycles create cash-flow gap and many employees live paycheck-to-paycheck, often relying on overdrafts, loans, or credit to manage everyday expenses. This causes financial stress and leads to lower productivity & poor mental health.
Designing for Financial Wellbeing
- Role : UX Researcher & UI Designer
- Tools : Figma, Maze, Zoom, Google Forms, Miro
- Team : 1 UX Researcher/UI Designer (me), 1 PM, 2 Developer
User Research
Objectives
Understand user motivations and pain points around wage access and financial planning.
Evaluate usability of core features: Earned Wage Access, Savings Pots, and Budgeting Tools.
Identify barriers to adoption and engagement.
Research
Methods
User
Personas
Problem Statements
Information
Architecture
Key
Features
Design
Principles
Home Screen
The Home Screen serves as the central hub of the app, giving users a clear snapshot of their financial position at a glance. It features an earnings progress ring that visually displays how much of their wages have been earned in real time. A prominent “Withdraw Available” button allows users to access a portion of their earned income instantly and responsibly. The “Scheduled Income” banner reminds users of upcoming payments, reinforcing financial awareness and planning. Lastly, alert messages provide timely updates such as overspending warnings and countdowns to payday, helping users make informed financial decisions.
Withdraw Flow
The Withdraw Flow provides a smooth and transparent experience for accessing earned wages. A slider control allows users to choose exactly how much they’d like to withdraw, supported by a clear breakdown of earned versus available funds. To encourage responsible use, the interface includes gentle prompts and payday reminders, such as “Try withdrawing less? Payday in 4 days.” The process is designed to feel empowering, not transactional — giving users a sense of control and confidence over their finances
Savings Screen
The Savings Screen enables users to build healthy financial habits through visual motivation and automation. Users can create personal savings goals represented by progress visuals that update in real time. An auto-save toggle allows a percentage of earnings to be automatically diverted into savings pots. Encouraging, positive UX copy helps users stay motivated to save, emphasizing progress and flexibility rather than guilt or restriction.
Coach Screen
The Learn Screen focuses on improving users’ financial literacy in a simple and supportive way. It offers bite-sized lessons, interactive challenges, and short articles tailored to common financial situations. A dedicated “Ask-a-Coach” button connects users to personalized advice from financial experts or chat-based guidance. The tone throughout is friendly and relatable — ensuring users feel supported, not lectured, as they grow their financial confidence.
Profile Screen
The Profile Screen gives users control over their account settings and financial connections. It includes options to update personal details, manage linked payroll accounts, and access support or FAQs. Security and privacy are emphasized with visible verification indicators and quick access to data permissions. This section ensures users feel safe, informed, and in control of their personal financial information.
Usability
Testing
Accessibility
Outcome
& Impact
0%
87% reported improved confidence
0mins
0%
64% enabled auto-save
0%
Avg. 27% earned wage withdrawn
Reflection
Conclusion
Wagestreams balances financial flexibility with responsible design, helping workers access wages, save effortlessly, and improve financial wellbeing — all from one supportive platform.