YNAB You Need A Budget

[kanadia82]

I was using Excel (colour coded to the max and a million formulas) for years. When I moved in with my boyfriend and we were saving for our condo down payment, we needed a way to track our joint expenses and couldn't agree on a method. He wasn't thrilled about my Excel worksheets because they were too intimidating for him, and I had built so many formulas in there that it was too difficult to explain. It had taken me years to build up the worksheets to the point that it was easy for me to use and the thought of having to build another one for both of us to use was just nauseating.

YNAB helped A LOT! It was pretty easy for me to get the hang of it, since my Excel worksheets were doing some very similar things, but the tutorials and the ease of use has vastly helped my boyfriend, and now both of us are on the same page. Anyone who's ever argued with a partner/spouse about money knows that this is half the battle. Now it takes a lot less time to get to the "decision making part" once we've updated our accounts, and this is where we are fully communicating about what is important to each us regarding money.

We can't thank YNAB enough!!!

[Muggy]

Why did I start using YNAB ? Until my financial outlook took a nosedive around November of 2008, I was one of many who had a hatred for a budget. Until then I felt I didn't need a budget nor wanted one. Then in Nov. 2008 I took a long hard look at how I had managed my finances for the past 30+ years. I then had to admit to myself that I was in major financial trouble because I didn't use a budget. It was a hard thing to admit to. Since then I have been looking for a budget software that I could make, or one that was free etc. Several weeks ago I did a google search for a budget software that "fit me"...I wanted one to where I could name my own categories & subcategories. I found YNAB and it looked like what I wanted. Then I saw there was a forum to discuss budget info. and YNAB info. IT'S PERFECT !! Just exactly what I wanted only...BETTER !! I now can keep track of every dollar I spend and not only see where they go but even TELL THEM where I want them to go. I am looking forward to writing my success story and posting it here in the forum !! I feel that the $59.95 cost is just right...not too much and not too little a charge for this budget software.

[jjsouth]

IT'S PERFECT !! Just exactly what I wanted only...BETTER !!

My feelings about YNAB exactly!

Welcome. I look forward to reading that success story!

Joyce

[dakan]

To control our money and not have it control us! We used to use Quicken but stopped for some reason. I then created a spreadsheet a few years ago to keep track of the checking account balance minus the expenses for the next week. It kind of worked but not good enough. In the spreadsheet I had two columns showing the checking account balance and what it would be after the next weeks automatic bank withdrawals plus an amount for other expenditures. If the second column was red that was a bad sign. Almost every week had a red amount. The final shove came when we had to pull several hundred dollars out of savings to cover bills in four days time. We had to find a better way...and that is when I found YNAB. I still update that spreadsheet only to see how much red I would see. Since the week we purchased YNAB all I have seen is black! Now we are finally controlling our money.

[MacGuy]

These forums convinced me that YNAB is the best budgeting solution out there. I had begun to finally take stock of my financial house through the last half of last year, reading Mary, Dave and the other usual suspects, and had gotten to the point where I knew I needed to get serious about budgeting if I wanted to make it work over the long haul. I was (am) seriously in debt, as many new YNABers are and was hoping to find some light at the end of the tunnel. I knew I wanted a software solution, and Quicken was a joke for budgeting. Reading blogs, reviews and other articles, I saw a lot of talk about YNAB, so came over to give it a look-see. I'm the type who has to read and read and read before I commit. I read Jesse's Rules. I read his Boot Camp. I read the Testimonials. I read that a new version was coming out that would be Mac compatible (see the screen name). Then I started reading the forums. Wow. I've been on a lot of forums. I've NEVER been on a forum like this before. People are - dare I say it - NICE! They help each other. They don't flame each other for asking, shall we say, less than informed questions. What an incredibly freeing experience for those of us (and I certainly include myself in this "us") who have less than informed questions to ask. I bought the software as soon as it was released. I've never looked back.

[jjsouth]

Macguy, I got chills reading your post. I hope Jesse gets a chance to read that. I'm sure he knows how much YNAB changes lives, but I'd imagine never tiring of hearing stories like yours.

Joyce