I am thinking about trying YNAB. Any more feedback on this program would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to spend $60 if the program stinks & even using the free trial would waste time if the program is not great.
FYI - I already do my basic budgeting as it seems like this is set up (add all x bills in a year divide by 12 & set that much aside each month. Same with big bills, car repair funds, etc.
<-- I do that too in YNAB. I think most people (non budgeters, mostly) don't do that, and then get shocked when their quarterly HOA bill hits on the same month as a large car repair bill...
What I do not do is live on last Month's income, per say. Because of the way I budget, there is always the extra $ in the accounts to pay bills immediately, etc. I just don't have a "buffer" account. I guess I do, but it would be in savings.
<--- That's what I love about YNAB! It takes some getting used to, to look at the "Available to spend" amount or the amount you budgeted to decide what to spend, instead of seeing the amount you actually have in your bank account (which tends to be a lot more as you get buffered!) For our household, where DH's salary varies, it makes it so much easier to know exactly how much we'll have to spend on the next month.
We don't have any debt, however we don't save enough either (kiddo in college

).
<--- The first time I used YNAB, I found places where we were wasting money, and essentially "found" about $1k a MONTH!! Our only debt are our two cars & our mortgage, but when we are dedicated about using YNAB, our savings always grows...
It is time (done annually) for me to redo my budget for the year. I use Excel & I am wondering if this would be a good alternative for me. Get me out of the dark ages & into the digital era
<--- Try YNAB - it's got a 34 day return policy, and the forums there (for questions, etc.) are very helpful & friendly (reminds me of the DISboards!) Once the lightbulb goes on (because it is different than "normal" budgeting, which is actually just keeping track of what you've spent), you'll be sold! What I love about it especially now (I've been using it since it was just a glorified spreadsheet) is that it works with Dropbox to be "in the cloud" - meaning I can work on my file at work, then check on it on my iPhone, and also at home, with no effort.
Thoughts?