You Need a Budget on SALE for only $15!!!

[pryncess527]

For the past couple of months, I've been telling my DH we need to have better control of our spending, and start saving more. That hasn't happened, because we always discuss it, then nothing gets done about it. How well does this program work for people with commission pay scales?

My DH is paid a low salary (20% of his income) and then gets a monthly commission (80% of his income). His over all yearly pay has gone up for the last 3 years, and so has our spending. We keep making more, but never truly accomplish anything. Every time the idea of zero budget comes up, I keep thinking that's impossible to do.

I think it's perfect for variable income because it helps you see the long term view about what your money needs to do, which is even more important when the income varies greatly like you describe.

Zero budget essentially means what does this money have to do before I get paid again. And a lot of times that's going to be things like go ahead and set aside a portion of the car insurance premium that's due six months from now. The goal is to live on the previous months income, so the start of the month you already have all the money you need to make it to the end of the month and all the income you are making this month can be for future months.

There is a learning curve. And it takes some time to build the resources to be able to budget everything in the ideal way. But I think the app and the software really give you the tools to make it as easy as possible.

 

[pryncess527]

Hm not sure what is up.

Under Pool Service it shows: $0 budget - $0 spent = $100 overspent. Crazy math

Are you in the app or program?
You might wander over to the YNAB forums for help. They are really nice and most of them have way more experience with the program than I do.

 

[CluelessDisFan]

Thanks. I asked DH if I should buy this, he asked if I read reviews. HA! Now he tells me he's heard of MINT and another one. Mint is free. Now I'm really confused. Anyone used Mint before?

 

[TifffanyD]

Are you in the app or program?
You might wander over to the YNAB forums for help. They are really nice and most of them have way more experience with the program than I do.

Thanks! Where are the forums? I deleted the category and re added and all is well...
For now.

Thanks. I asked DH if I should buy this, he asked if I read reviews. HA! Now he tells me he's heard of MINT and another one. Mint is free. Now I'm really confused. Anyone used Mint before?

I know ppl who use mine but I think that's more reporting what you already spent. I was doing my budget in excel in a worksheet I wrote. YNAB is very similar but the one bonus is that I can use it on my phone and sync.

 

[pryncess527]

Thanks. I asked DH if I should buy this, he asked if I read reviews. HA! Now he tells me he's heard of MINT and another one. Mint is free. Now I'm really confused. Anyone used Mint before?

Mint is a tracking program, not a budget

It recently launched in the Apple App Store and has great reviews, if that helps lol.

 

[pryncess527]

Thanks! Where are the forums? I deleted the category and re added and all is well...
c.

http://forum.youneedabudget.com/discussions

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

I'm a believer. YNAB changed my life. I don't say that lightly.

Mint and things like that are great for an overview, but for planning how to make the most of your money and setting aside small amounts to pay big bills and tracking the daily expenses on the app its YNAB ALL THE WAY. Give every dollar a job

It's actually a benefit to not have YNAB tied to your bank accounts. Easier to make sure you don't overspend.

 

[TifffanyD]

http://forum.youneedabudget.com/discussions

Thanks!!

 

[pryncess527]

Thanks!!

NP! You'll find a startling level of transparency over there, lol. Many brave souls have gone so far as to post their budget for critique.

 

[robinb]

I've heard really good things about this program so I just got it! We have some unexpected medical expenses so we need to get a better handle on our regular budget. I hope this will help!

 

[TifffanyD]

NP! You'll find a startling level of transparency over there, lol. Many brave souls have gone so far as to post their budget for critique.

haha! Not sure what there is to critique other than if it doesn't all add up

 

[donaldandpirates]

I absolutely love YNAB! Best financial software I've ever used.

 

[hollypoast]

And lastly, my favorite thing about it is that when my husband and I sit down for our monthly budget meeting, the facts are there in black and white. If he wants a new guitar, he needs to save up his fun money until he can afford one, since a new guitar is not a household need. It's not my fault, I'm not the bad guy saying no, it's just a simple fact of the budget.

You've sold me on it. I HATE being the bad guy. We, I should say, I currently use Quicken and it seems to always be my fault when we don't have enough money for something. I can't wait to give it a try. Having a month's buffer sounds wonderful!

 

[kellia]

I'm at work, so can't look at the Steam site. (But Dis is okay, lol!) Anyhow, do you download Steam onto your pc or mobile device if it's an app? Or you download the app and then sync it to your pc?

 

[robinb]

I'm at work, so can't look at the Steam site. (But Dis is okay, lol!) Anyhow, do you download Steam onto your pc or mobile device if it's an app? Or you download the app and then sync it to your pc?

You download the Steam desktop app and then you can download the ynab desktop app from there. The Steam app knows you paid for it. Once you start the ynab desktop app it will ask you if you want to download Dropbox and the iPhone or android app.

 

[TifffanyD]

OK I've made some progress. I have added all of my credit cards and created all the categories I can think of right now. Then I also added categories for checking account and cash.

I am not adding my 2 savings accounts right now since I have money directly deposited from them from my paycheck (so it never hits my checking account). Also not adding mortgage

And signed up for a webinar.

Does that sound about right?

 

[carobear]

Sigh... just came across this topic and was like hey, we need something like that. Had the bf go check steam and it's back at $60.

 

[kellia]

Thanks for the help, got it set up on my computer!

Do you guys use the cloud sync? Is it safe? Does it just link your YNAB software on different devices?

 

[swissfamilyrobinson]

Thank you, OP, for posting this! I remembered in the nick of time and ordered it with 26 minutes left. Now to learn how to use it.

I am curious about the cloud stuff, as well.

Sigh... just came across this topic and was like hey, we need something like that. Had the bf go check steam and it's back at $60.

That is usually how my luck goes! Maybe you can get the free trial for now and another sale will hit in a couple of months.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Does anyone use YNAB that doesn't also use a smartphone? It seems like it might work better if you have it accessible all the time....I had also decided to go for it and missed out on the deal so I have time to think about it or do the free trial....just curious about using it without a smart phone.