5 Signs You're Crushing It at YNAB

[@robertl30]

My Age of Money, which I haven't looked at in forever, is now 231 days. So I guess I won the YNAB battle. We can't imagine doing finances without YNAB now. It's just part of life.

[@ASan512]

YNAB Broke feeling is so real! It stresses my partner out whenever I saw we're completely broke, but when a real emergency happens, I say we're fine and we got it covered. We can't afford a $30 meal on the 30th, but are we fully funded for our winter holiday trip overseas? Yes.

[@NanetteLoves2Budget]

Yes please!

[@sarahkoppelkam3997]

My partner feels the same way! I’ll say “oh we really can’t afford to go out to dinner” and she freaks out… but then I show her the many thousands in our bank account 😂 one day she’ll get curious about how YNAB works

[@ailyn9404189]

same!we can't dine out today but my daughter's handphone stopped working and easy-peasy we were able to pay for it without batting an eye... Also, I agree what Hannah said about having a full life, spending time with family, doing the things we love ;p

[@jam47370]

Not going to lie but YNAB has change me :) yes I do feel like I running out of money but when I look at my age of money at 180 days it make me smile and start thinking whats my next money adventure. thanks YNAB also P.P.S love using YNAB in the UK :)

[@janimaterful]

Love this! I did Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University a few years ago, which is what really got me going with zero-based budgeting. I think the ferocity of many aspects of his message (i.e. get out of debt with "gazelle intensity") are in many ways a necessary pendulum swing from the massive indebtedness in the United States. That said! --> The YNAB community has, overall, a more balanced vibe about it, and this video is such a great reflection of that. Let's celebrate the wins, and appreciate the journey of life while being conscious and purposeful with our money. Love it.

[@lilaxshade]

I think they complement each other partly because they're both based on the same type of budget. What one lacks the other one has. E.g. as you said if you want intensity go Ramsey, if you want calm go YNAB. Different things work for different people. I started using YNAB first and it helped me figure out my priorities, then I started listening to Ramsey Solutions and all the testimonials, which helped ramp up my intensity. Love how there are different ways of explaining the same information so it can cater to everyone.

[@janimaterful]

@@lilaxshade Well said!

[@lynnroberts76]

Ramsey intensity is critical to identifying debt and getting out of it. Most people don’t understand how to buy a car without debt. The line “ depreciating asset” hit me like a ton of bricks, and I’m not an accountant. He also gives you permission to do things to speed up the process, like turn off the 401k for a short time. Can’t save and hold debt at the same time…get nowhere…. YNAB allows credit cards and that’s our reality.

[@RandomFandomDragon]

I stared with Dave, too! While I disagree with a lot of his points now, his basic baby steps are wonderful for someone who needs help. Baby step 1 - unimaginable peace of mind. I did try his budgeting tool, think it was called Every Dollar, and it was just okay. I've found YNAB makes so much more sense for me. I like the steps from the Money Guys (FOO - financial order of operations) better, and am working through those. They are similar to Dave, but acknowledge reality a little more.

[@christineteffenhart5722]

That moment when no water came out of the tap!!! What, I have to buy a new well pump!!??? Nailed it with YNAB!! Rearranged some categories, then paid with CASH!!

[@RandomFandomDragon]

Feeling YNAB broke but knowing I have a starter emergency fund? Cannot say how much piece of mind that brings. It's not enough for anything major, but it's enough to a plane ticket, a car deductible, emergency vet visit. Also, YNAB has allowed me to continue to work through the debt-payoff slog while understanding it's okay to budget for little joys.💜💜

[@magicbucks56]

Sign #6 Desperate for a YNAB merch drop.

[@RandomFandomDragon]

I'd use some of my clothes budget on a YNAB shirt.

[@YNABofficial]

😂😂😂 🌻 Hannah

[@Abbyyena]

Really loving the “Reflect” data on mobile 🤓

[@PatMaddox]

“Life is short and food trucks are great” - please make that the next YNAB t-shirt

[@melissad7855]

YES!!!

[@lcn706]

YNAB is the best!! Our dishwasher broke a couple weeks ago and needed to be replaced. Instead of stressing about where that $$ was coming from, we had ‘fun’ actually shopping for one we wanted bc we had the money set aside. The peace of mind YNAB gives is priceless.

[@jroysdon]

Yup, YNAB turns "emergencies" into fun times that are very low stress events (if not stress-free. We're not they yet, but nearly there). Hot water heater burst two months ago... bummer, but no sweat, we had money set aside and it didn't phase us at all, paid the guy in cash as soon as he was done.

[@JK13A]

YNAB broke feeling is definitely a super hard mindsight to get yourself out of. I constantly feel broke because I don't have as much fun money as I want or can't save as much as I'd really like. However, I know I am doing damn well compared to most people.

[@CiriliaRose]

the new Reflecting feature helped me see that while I freak out over the high cost of living, we’re not actually spending such a giant percentage of our total monthly amount. For someone with persistent scarcity mindset, this has been huge.

[@jessicamendezsiqueiros6232]

SAME! So glad they added this.

[@GiantTime]

This might be the best HIFH video I've seen! Super inspiring. Ends with a little bit of "Rich Life" philosophy from Ramit, love it.

[@abrasivepaste]

This is a phenomenal video. Pretty inspiring actually! I only started using YNAB a couple months ago but I have this feeling that I'm finally doing something right for my future. As a 27 year old who never really thought much about a budget before, I feel lucky that I get to learn this tool and new mindset while I'm still young enough not to have all the responsibilities of a house, crushing debt, family, etc. Makes me feel like things are gonna be alright 😀

[@jasonnicholsen592]

I am supes new but these are sooooo helping me keep my cool and not give up. SUPER appreciative!

[@SticktotheBudget]

Great video! I do always feel like I'm failing a bit when I have to move money between categories. Like I'm not tuned in enough to have assigned my dollars correctly to start. I have a savings and I'm paying my credit card balance to zero every month, so those are huge wins to me!

[@alexisdumire5634]

We were doing great for a long time. But this year has hit HARD and unfortunately we are now actually struggling some. But the cool thing is this: struggling now means we're "only" able to cover our monthly expenses and true expenses, including things like a cpl of non-monthly subscriptions. I mean, i guess thats still a win. Bc struggling used to mean, "can we pay all our bills this month?"

[@xmochix604]

i like this episode!! encouraging!

[@lilaxshade]

For sure! Sometimes it's hard to see progress.

[@rainhinkle831]

I'm taking my year long career break! Using YNAB for budgeting all my travels. :) I even did sinking funds for returning back to "normal" life, post traveling :).

[@drloveslearning4744]

Great video and love the YNAB broke concept - great mental check-up on the positive impact of using YNAB over a long period of time :-)

[@michellebash]

YNASP 🤣 My clothing category just told me that it would like to buy your white waffle weave!

[@thomaskiesel8652]

You too? My clothing category just told me that it'd like to snag that YNAB baseball cap!

[@melissad7855]

@@thomaskiesel8652 same!!

[@TornadoBarrage]

My sign that I was crushing it in YNAB is proving the spending habits to my mother, and also to my girlfriend instead of stuttering and thinking. When I say hey you overspent this month they always go NO I DIDINT I just pull out YNAB and boom corrected Feels amazing

[@stormshadowj10]

The recent YNAB price increase had me a bit upset since last night… and then here comes Hannah to the rescue. She reminded me of how much I have grown BECAUSE of YNAB. Also, Hannah always makes my day! Thank you!

[@josephbaumann292]

It’s really not a lot of money for what YNAB does.

[@stephaniegaddis1716]

I think it also helps to remember that YNAB is run by real people with families and goals and aspirations. And those real people are paying the same higher prices we are for groceries, gas, and taxes.

[@RandomFandomDragon]

Right? I started to feel annoyed, then I realized I only had to add a little more to my target amount. I do the annual subscription, and the increase to the monthly amount set aside is barely noticeable. If that allows them to keep it running and bring more features, it's worth it.

[@hoshiro.exsharaen]

I was initially upset when it was announced, but over time I realized I might not make it without YNAB. YNAB helped me get out of my debt last year; although sign #1 was so strong even at the beginning of the month, I managed to pay off all my personal debt last Christmas! I still have one big debt left (house loan, I can't do anything about it since it's auto-paid each month until the end of the term), but for everything else, I can finally enjoy my hard-earned money. I do still feel YNAB broke each month (sometimes at the middle of the month, since my wage is temporarily decreased), but at least my biggest goal is still there and safe.

[@beckybarrett7452]

The grandsons wanted to go out for lunch. I told them I have $40 in my dining out category. They said Wow you only have $40. No I’m YNAB broke. l have all my bills money for next month I just don’t have extra money in my dining out account. So we looked at what we wanted and ordered it on the app and ate at home. 😁

[@myramacalalad4375]

This is the video that i need today❤ a re-assurance that i’m on the right track🎉 thanks hannah😊

[@fourthesther]

This video was so timely! Thanks so much for reminding me that I am still winning BIG time even though I'm moving around money. I stay YNAB broke so I can enjoy lots of other things in life.

[@YNABofficial]

Absolutely!! That's exactly it! Being YNAB Broke gives me freedom to have the money for the things I actually want. A very worthwhile trade off! 🌻 Hannah

[@_aisolo]

I loveeee watching all of ynab vidoes!! and hannah you rock!!! i started ynba in april but have binged watch so many of your vidoes here and i haven't gotten a full month ahead YET but i have been able to get ahead on some of my categories so that's super dope

[@BrettSchaffner]

Just finished funding my moving abroad budget last month and I'm leaving in September. Love this video, Hannah! Always a good reminder to reflect on the wins, no matter how big or small they are!

[@fremder99]

A highly relevant discussion! My “budget” is larger than my monthly income but, so far, my spending is a bit smaller. But I remain concerned that a month is coming when a category I’m saving for comes due and spending far exceeds income. Mostly, I’m concerned that that may happen more times than I spend less. Wish YNAB had 🔮!

[@Kep19901]

And you also don't contact the support team all that often.

[@xrpjon_998]

OMG!!!! I feel this all the time 😅😅😅😅 love it. Thank you! I don’t feel alone anymore 😊😊😊

[@defheescollard-sx4nh]

exactly! I will only take money from my emergency if its really emergency. Living below my means. I was a millionaire for 7 years & try to really keep it quite & never raise my lifestyle. except going on europe vacations (seen 5-6 countries @ a time) and also doing it every year;-) my situation changed now. my kids are all in college w/ scholarships & I thank God for that! I was able to work only 20 hrs & made us if I work 40 hrs. Also, I was able to pay for 3k car maintenance. I am glad God always got my back (no car payments ) I dont indulge in clothes anymore in fact I am selling them. I invest .

[@nurh6538]

I was doing well for a while with YNAB reaching about 180 days age of money, now down to 31 😭 slowly back at it! So ynab broke

[@josiahs3552]

Could you guys please drop that hat as at least on demand merch? Tried to look it up and it looks like the last time y’all did it was 2021.

[@mightymur]

“Life is short and food trucks are great.” This should be Hannah’s memoir title.

[@hesasteadypacer]

Congrats on your little one! 🥳

[@YNABofficial]

Thannnnks!! I never stop talking about him 🙃 🌻 Hannah

[@PamJernigan]

Been feeling *soooo* YNAB broke lately... but we're in the middle of selling our house and downsizing to an apartment... which means we had to fix the roof, pay first & last month's rent, moving expenses, etc, a couple months in advance of closing on the house and getting cash. I have *so* many broke categories right now, and have had for two months... but actually, I have plenty of money in the bank, still. I've kind of been living on credit card float, but unlike most of my adult life, I can afford to pay them off entirely right now. And that's such a lovely feeling. (We're closing tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to replenishing my budget categories and creating whole new ones) So anyway, Hannah, thanks for cheering me on :)

[@christinediaz9486]

Best video ever! I love the reassurance! Thanks, Hannah! 💕

[@YNABofficial]

YAY! So glad. It was reassuring for me too! 🌻 Hannah

[@wurdnurd1]

Knowing that YNAB broke feeling all too well...but the ability to cover the unexpected is worth it. Most recently, my littlest dog had to get an ultrasound ($400+), which led to needing surgery ($1500+), but I didn't need to think twice before agreeing to it because I know the money is waiting for just this kind of occurance.

[@claralopez2010]

One True Expense category I almost forgot to budget for...the yearly YNAB subscription fee 😅😂😂😂

[@lilaxshade]

A truly true expense.

[@rowan8844]

Ahhhh... YNAB broke... yes... it has a name!!! :o) Thanks Hannah. Love all your videos so much. YNAB has changed my life!!! Thanks so much 🌞

[@EdQueen]

I've been using YNAB for a couple years now and my age of money is not going up like I think it should be. I'd love some tips for getting into the mindset of assigning money to the following month and beyond. I have savings goals for vacations and some unexpected purchases, but I'm not like a month ahead on utility bills and such. Thoughts? (PS. Lovin' the ball cap and braids vibe, Hannah. 🤜🤛)

[@PatMaddox]

Search for budget nerds month ahead. They have a couple videos that you’ll find helpful. My experience: if you have fun money allocated with soft deadlines (e.g. a vacation, not a wedding) then move some of that into your “next month” category (or assign it to a category next month) and keep growing it. Getting a month ahead is a BIG DEAL and to me it’s worth it to delay the next vacation a bit - because that vacation and every one after it will be so much more relaxed.

[@CalCampos]

I love this video. Crushed it as usual, thank you!!!!

[@YNABofficial]

🥰🥰🥰 We're just crushing EVERYTHING these days! 🌻 Hannah

[@benjamindon156]

Great video! Where do we get cool itchy hats?

[@jaredstidham8572]

How do you handle reimbursements coming in in the following month? Leave it as overspending at the end of the month?

[@Blikje]

Sign #6 (for people in the Netherlands): before you know it you have to pay Box 3 saving’s tax 😅

[@fakemccoy3060]

On Monday my Age of Money officially hit 400 days, so I must be doing something right!

[@RandomFandomDragon]

Holy cow, that's awesome!

[@beng5832]

cap

[@fakemccoy3060]

@@beng5832 If I could post pics here I'd show you the screenshot of today where it says 416 days. kthanksbye

[@BudgetBuddyZach]

Not to be dramatic but YNAB changed my life 😂

[@YNABofficial]

SAME DUDE, same. 🌻 Hannah

[@martindoersch]

nice video! Thanks!

[@ethanpenn5]

Yeah...definitely nailing the other 4 signs, but step 4...not sure how that's ever gonna happen! Every time I spend money on something that isn't a need, I feel like it could have gone towards retirement to maximize my investment over time.

[@lilaxshade]

Keep it up! It's a journey for sure, the main this is you are taking action to get there. Delayed gratification is a tricky one, I'm better now but still working on it. In the past I saved up an emergency fund and, I would then spend it all when the sales rolled around. And repeat.🙃 Not as bad now but still not that great either. I think as long as we strive for progress and not perfectionism we'll do well. Remember we're humans, we're not supposed to be perfect. You achieved so much already and implemented the habits that will get you there. All it is, is time, a matter of when not if.

[@av8r22]

Consistency is so hard for me

[@fsmoura]

The first rule of YNAB: You never talk about YNAB... No, wait, that's Fight Club (" o.o)

[@tressasmith]

I was trying to explain this to someone the other day! Halfway through I thought “I think I may have lost them.” Now I’ll just send them here. 😊 Side note: I have that hat and it’s my favorite. If someone comments to me on it, it is either “OMG YNAB!” or “What does Y-N-A-B mean?” Both of which I love because YNAB buddy or I get to tell someone about YNAB. (Favorite is when I pair it with my wine hamburger shirt. 😆) Humble suggestion for YNAB merch drop again for people that can’t make the 20 year celebrations! I’ll add extra to my clothing category…. 😉

[@jroysdon]

Two more signs: Not having to use debt to handle any emergencies, ever. Annual net worth statements comparisons, year over year. The little choices that "YNAB Broke" inspires results is very large changes over time.

[@blessedwhitney]

YNAB Broke plus being pregnant is giving me anxiety attacks. :(

[@YNABofficial]

Ohhhhh girl, I get that. In my mind, Rule 3 becomes EVEN STRONGER when you're pregnant 😅 I definitely overspent in that season and didn't worry too much about it 🙃 🌻 Hannah

[@raindown1321]

The hat is only distracting because I want one!

[@YNABofficial]

NOICE! 🧢 🌻 Hannah

[@tammywarmack9377]

I really want the piggy bank!

[@melissad7855]

I'd like that hat, please!

[@oldmaninthemirror]

Roughly $10 a month YNAB getting expensive

[@michellebash]

@@oldmaninthemirror YNAB subscription vs. Chipotle lunch, YNAB wins every time!

[@oldmaninthemirror]

$10 here $5 there $2 or $3 dollars there for various subscription as they say death by a thousand cuts. I guess though that I really no longer need YNAB due to my age and finances so you guys are probably right in most cases. I have been using YNAB since 2018 so habit mostly.

[@lilaxshade]

What are your priorities? Cover your needs first. Then what's next? If you really don't want to pay for the subscription you could still utilize the information they provide. Maybe think about why you don't want to? For me it's all about being financially free, having my own place with no mortgage, but also being efficient with my money limiting how much I waste on things that don't actually bring value to my life or make it better.

[@oldmaninthemirror]

@@michellebash maybe see my previous reply

[@oldmaninthemirror]

@@michellebashnot if you are hungry