So a while back I downloaded YNAB, which stands for You Need a Budget. Because I did–I really really needed a budget. I looked around at recommended free apps, and tried Wallet, and it just didn’t work for me. Somehow I never quite managed to figure out what I was supposed to be doing with it. Probably too modern, I decided. So I went “old school” and found a budgeting spreadsheet template.
Yeah, no. I didn’t want to enter every single thing at my computer every night, and make sure everything aligned at the end of the month and then copy it all to the next month and…and I didn’t have it with me. I couldn’t check the situation on the fly. And also I was budgeting every dime where it “should” go, and sometimes you just gotta let “should” go. Or as YNAB rule #3 says, “roll with the punches.”
I downloaded YNAB for the trial, which is 34 days so you get to go through an entire month with it. Within a week, though, I’d decided I was paying for it when the trial was up. It’s really amazing to me, and a great example of how looking at something differently provides solutions.
How does it work? To tell you the truth, I’m not really sure. I mean, I can tell you what I do. But what makes this budgeting program the one that helps me actually pay down my credit cards and talk myself out of a zip through the nearest drive-through? I don’t quite know.
I was going to talk about the actual how-to of how it works, but meh. There are lots and lots of videos and discussions. So I’ll leave it at this–YNAB works for me. If you’re looking for a way to get the finances under control, you should check out the free trial. It’s $50 a year after that and WORTH EVERY PENNY imho.
In Other News
Burning Bright is still a thing. I’m working on the next book! I’m pretty excited about it.
Erin Zarro is coming out with the third book in her Fey Touched series. Here’s the sneak peek at Ever Touched, arriving May 1st.
We’re almost to May. Good lork.