YNAB You Need A Budget

[erin]

Hi folks,

Soon I will be recording a new set of video tutorials for YNAB 3. I just thought I'd post and get a little feedback here before jumping in, so if you have watched the video tutorials for YNAB Pro, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

If you watched them, I'd like to know a few things:

1. Were they helpful? If so, what exactly was helpful? If not, why not?
2. Were there any topics that I could have covered better? Or in other words, were any of them confusing at all?
3. Were there any topics missing that you wish had been there?
4. Do you have any suggestions for improvement? (Did I go too quickly, too slowly, etc.)

Basically, any and all thoughts welcome. Bring it on! I really want these to be thorough and helpful.

[LizziesHome]

If you watched [the YNAB Pro video tutorials], I'd like to know a few things:

1. Were they helpful? If so, what exactly was helpful? If not, why not?
2. Were there any topics that I could have covered better? Or in other words, were any of them confusing at all?
3. Were there any topics missing that you wish had been there?
4. Do you have any suggestions for improvement? (Did I go too quickly, too slowly, etc.)

Basically, any and all thoughts welcome. Bring it on! I really want these to be thorough and helpful.

Erin - the tutorials were excellent and were honestly the difference between me 'getting it' and 'wanting to stab myself in the eye with a fork'. LOL. Some dorks like me are visual people and need to SEE how things work and not just read about how they do.

None of the topics were confusing but for clarity I did watch some several times. That's not you though, that's me - some things only made the most sense after I'd started my first fortnightly pay period and had inputted a few transactions into the register. The tutorials themselves were great.

Missing topics? I can't remember if I saw a specific tutorial for the whole 'multiple splitting transaction' rigmarole I just went through today - it may have been covered in a larger topic - and by that I mean a transaction that not only has the total split over a couple of categories but also contains a 'cash out' portion. I know how to do it NOW, and I *think* I may have seen the little checkbox pointed out in the tute on splitting transactions, but maybe a separate, quick video to make this point perfectly clear for the doofuses like me? LOL.

Other than that, there's really nothing I could suggest - the videos really made the world of difference. Your pace was just right I think, and the 'script' (I presume there was one? ) was clear and direct.

Hope that helps

[erin]

and by that I mean a transaction that not only has the total split over a couple of categories but also contains a 'cash out' portion. I know how to do it NOW, and I *think* I may have seen the little checkbox pointed out in the tute on splitting transactions, but maybe a separate, quick video to make this point perfectly clear for the doofuses like me? LOL.

Ah, that's one I should probably add to the list - How to deal with getting cash back at the store. I think that's what you mean, correct? And that probably is something that lots of folks deal with, and how you handle it depends on how you handle cash.

Excellent idea. Thank you for your feedback!

[LizziesHome]

Yup, that's what I meant Good luck!

[chrish]

It might be helpful to have a couple videos on how to transition from Pro to 3 and from Basic to 3. Things to look out for, how 3 will check for errors. Speaking of checking for errors, that is probably also worth its own video.

[Mudie]

One that merely strolls through YNAB 3 in a showcase of sorts would be useful.

Not a 'Getting Started' mind you but more of a 'Look what you can do!' introduction replete with various tricks where clicking here does this while clicking there does that. Basically all sorts of little items that might not be seen (or could be missed while focusing) on a specific subject video.

In fact, you could even script it in such a way that it could be a very good promotional video overall as opposed to a strict 'How to' like 99% of the others.

Steve

[erin]

chrish and steve - both GREAT ideas. Some of it I had planned to do already, but you guys have definitely added to my growing list.

Thank you!

[LizziesHome]

Steve - what immediately came to mind when I read your suggestion of the 'look what we can do!' tutorial was the iPod video 'fluff pieces' from their website, LOL. Not a bad thing to have in the video repertoire really!

[zezont4]

Those tutorials really helped me understanding YNAB pro.
A lot of question ware answered after watching the tutorials.
They covered everything that need to be covered.

[gregdo]

I think the only thing I found missing from the online tutorials and from the live tutorial that you give was dealing with a credit card that you pay off every month that has an existing balance. I.E. credit card billing periods rarely start on the 1st of the month, so even though I might start YNAB this month, there is money that has already been spent on the card and needs to be factored in.

[erin]

I think the only thing I found missing from the online tutorials and from the live tutorial that you give was dealing with a credit card that you pay off every month that has an existing balance. I.E. credit card billing periods rarely start on the 1st of the month, so even though I might start YNAB this month, there is money that has already been spent on the card and needs to be factored in.

Greg - I agree completely and we'll be handling that much better in YNAB 3 and I do plan to address that issue. Thanks for pointing it out.

[the_best_ahead]

Thank you for being pro-active. I really appreciated the videos. I am sure you have already planned a video on how to use the new features that are new to YNAB 3 or are done in a different way so I am looking forward to seeing them.

[erin]

Thank you for being pro-active. I really appreciated the videos. I am sure you have already planned a video on how to use the new features that are new to YNAB 3 or are done in a different way so I am looking forward to seeing them.

Yes, we'll definitely be showing off the things that YNAB 3 can do!

[Trevor]

One thing that I think that might help some beginners is special sequences of videos based on financial circumstances and preferences...

If you have enough money for a full buffer from the start then go to video A otherwise go to video B.
If you want to track your day to day cash spending, watch C otherwise watch D.

YNAB can be a lot to wrap your head around, so being able to target only pertinent videos can get someone up and running faster and then they can go back and watch the videos for the other situations when they have time or when their circumstances change.

[macduncan]

Thanks for asking Erin! I think the online free intro session was a huge help and really helped ground you on the myths etc. Inwoukd ask the question a bit differently and perhaps you could post it if appropriate. Something to the effect "for those who have been using YNAB for awhile, what do you feel is important for people to grasp to make it easier starting out".

You could also ask "for folks struggling with using YNAB now, what are you seeig is a real challenge?" I believe the forums and videos are hugely helpful. However I have a habit of immersing myself in something new and spent lots of hours using it and scouring the forums. My friend is starting with it but doesn't have the time to get immersed. I spent some time on the phone with him and it helped, alot of what he was asking was either in various videos or the forums and I have a feeling new folks who don't have quite so much time may put off using YNAB because they don't feel they grasp it go start and keep putting it off.

If there was a quick start guide video to ensure new folks can get started and avoid common pitfalls you see shown in forum, that could really help user adoption.

Quick edit: I must have been writing my post same time as Trevor! He and I have similar thoughts!

Almost like a video for new folks then one for intermediates and veterans showing new features and how to get more out of YNAB 3.