6 Lessons Budgeting Taught Me About Life

Sometimes we don't realize the lasting effect the little things have on us. Sit in with Hannah as she reflects on the handful of life lessons and truths budgeting taught her about every day life.
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[@carolineekkbautista7677]

Hannah, when you first mentioned my name, I fully blushed. I think this is the closest I will ever get to being famous! Your mug landscape inspired me to spend about a half an hour shopping for a new commemorative blushing mug, but luckily I snapped out of it because that *definitely* wasn't one of the life lessons. So I rewatched it, and there are so many good ideas! Thank you, Hannah!

[@MarshallMcCormick]

I'd say you're totally famous!

[@kjw79]

I remember reading your comment that inspired the shout out :)

[@carolineekkbautista7677]

​@@MarshallMcCormick so famous, how could I doubt it 😂Made myself a little commemorative blushing-from-fame mug over there to the left

[@AshiyaWhitley-ShawVeganAthlete]

Ahhh!🗣 OMG it’s THEE “Caroline”.😆👏🏽 Jk Congrats Caroline.😌😅

[@supreme5580]

Me at 23 watching this video...

[@quatie]

I didn't start saving/budgeting till I was 38 and I'm 38 now.

[@laurier5428]

Um...59 here started a month ago

[@quatie]

@@laurier5428 You win

[@RegIV]

Gotta start somewhere

[@ntmn8444]

Better now than never!

[@chim-choo-ree]

You and me both, brother.

[@barbararobson8136]

Hannah, you are killing it hosting these videos. Your sense of humour is fantastic (and yes, there is a U in humour in Canada). YNAB, don't ever let go of Hannah! Additionally, the fact that you weren't perfect out of the gate really helps the rest of us keep on keepin' on.

[@YNABofficial]

Thanks Barbara! I've learned a LOT since starting this channel. Man oh man. So grateful to be here and always striving to be transparent and honest about my own budgeting journey. Glad that's seen! -Hannah 🌻

[@caitecoll]

I look forward to your videos every week! They're so relatable to my life. Also, MOAR BANKSY! I realize there wasn't room for him with the 6 cups of coffee on the desk, but his absence was felt.

[@tonybates6551]

Hannah, I'm a psychotherapist in Chicago and I LOVE this video. These are great lessons for us all, in budgeting and in the rest of life. And p.s. you really do a great job with these videos; my wife and I are big fans.

[@clucibello9421]

I'm a psychotherapist working with middle school boys, and when she said "2 things happen overnight: oats & acne" I laughed and thought, "I'm stealing that."

[@emmojo3428]

I had an epiphany this month when I started using YNAB. I'm 30 years old and I've always said we weren't taught these things when we were younger, etc, etc. Well, when I was entering the transactions and reconciling against my bank transactions, it suddenly occurred to me that this is NO different than when my mom sat me down and taught me how to use a checkbook register. She wrote down every transaction in her register daily and I always that it was silly. Here I am 15 years later doing the same thing, just digitally. Thanks mom, and thanks YNAB

[@YNABofficial]

I was thinking the same thing the other day, but the opposite! "No one ever taught me to balance a checkbook. Is that not important anymore?" Then I realized I do it every day :) -Hannah :)

[@mamasquid1401]

I've been budgeting since YNAB 2.0 (thirteen years?) And there have been so many ups and downs. Twice we lost tens of thousands of dollars due to major crises. COVID was a massive hit to our finances. We've managed to bounce back quicker every time we hit an obstacle, and are well on our way to purchasing a home with 20% down, but even now, when my mentality about money is so much better than it was all those years ago, I still see ways I need to improve. The more revenue you generate, the easier it is to let little stuff go, but it's all those little things that add up and compromise your dreams. The biggest thing I've learned from budgeting is that life is a process and momentum takes time and there is ALWAYS room to improve. I really appreciated that life lesson you shared about how it doesn't all happen overnight. On a personal note, I really appreciated the advice to try scary things. I just got promoted and it's a great opportunity but I am currently way out of my comfort zone. I appreciated the reminder that I will get to the other side of this.

[@terpinator24]

The flexibility one is really choking me up...this is like a really fun counseling session...thank you for what you do, Hannah! 🥰😭😍

[@nosirrahm]

I think this goes with decluttering too. You have to get rid of dreams that you thought you could do with the things. It was a weight off the shoulders of the reminders of things you need to do along with the money invested. Now, I take time to think, “are you realistically going to do that?” before spending money. Sure, I still lose some money to dreams deferred, but I avoid so much needless spending thinking I’m some crafty person.

[@jackwiley1480]

Hannah is my YNAB fave. LNNOP OMG DYING!!! What a relatable little story. Also, top notch braid work.

[@YNABofficial]

Ha! Thanks Jack!! My niece is one and just learned the alphabet and I'm dying with all her alphabetical improvisations :P And funnily enough, my braids were actually coming apart through this whole video, so I appreciate you seeing past that :P -Hannah :)

[@chriskirsch441]

I really love the personal stories. They make the information very relatable. Great job!

[@ottergirl1913]

Totally agree. The transparency is wonderful, because if Hannah can learn and grow in discipline, so can I. I love the realism as well as the fun of these videos by Hannah.

[@gemmapfinn]

Excellent video! Bang on with each point. I find that doing my budget every morning is the best strategy for me. I also find that if I don't work on it regularly my anxiety goes up. Who knew that budgeting could help ease anxiety.

[@leerv.]

Hannah! So... "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" is from The Shining, with Jack Nicholson, and his character's name is Jack Torrance! I really like the concept in this video, that the discipline and practice of financial budgeting can seep into life, and vice-versa. It's true. One thing I think budgeting has helped me start to realize is how important it is to be honest with yourself about what you most want. I think financial budgeting can also help you become more familiar with your own non-monetary values so you can set goals, instead of perhaps being unintentionally glib and thinking "I just want it ALL, baby!" and then feeling like a failure due to not being to achieve any of it because you've spread yourself too thin. I had to make a hard decision today that I was torn over because it meant saying goodbye to a dream, and the stress was eating at me. But then I realistically weighed the lost and the cost and finally realized what mattered more to me. At that point, I made my choice and immediately unequivocally felt SO much better!

[@SwittyKiwi]

Hey Hanna, thanks for wrapping your videos with a personal touch. It's refreshing and refreshing.👏👏👏 We just subscribed. The thing is that unfortunately the word budget has gotten a bad rap. When it all boils down, a budget is basically just a plan for your money. Budgeting means you’re spending with purpose before the month begins. But many people view a budget as a straitjacket that will keep them from doing what they want. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! A budget doesn’t limit your freedom, it gives you freedom! It’s really all about being intentional with where your money goes.- Team S’witty👌🙏

[@samanthaortiz7334]

Hannah, your videos center me. You remind me that I'm not alone in this world when it comes to budgeting struggles. I love how you tell your own personal struggles because a lot of times it reminds me a a similar financial situation I was in. For years I thought these hurdles were only happening to me - like overspending in fun activities after I slashed my fun money, or avoiding my budget when I thought I was bad with money. Thanks for highlighting that some struggles with budgeting don't have anything to do with being good at numbers and we can all get through it. :)

[@supreme5580]

That's precisely why the world is in love with Hannah, because she educates others by using her personal struggles as case studies all the time. I relate to what you're saying quite a bit, I think we're bad with money, because we're bad with knowledge of managing money, that's the underlying issue. The world would be a better place if budgeting, and compounding and everything that pertains to personal finance would be taught in schools

[@mcdowellsfamilyadventures5318]

Thank you for this video. I am ignoring my budget after a lot of over spending due to increase grocery shopping for COVID-19. I will take a look at it tonight and get it reconciled. I will face the music as they say and not be afraid of the color red and words overspent/over budget. Really enjoy your videos.

[@helenwilfehrt4667]

I was doing this myself both the budget ignoring and the "nesting" spending, as I call it. I also reframed in terms of budget lingo. You know how you can budget ahead? This was kinda like stocking ahead so the need now could be managed.

[@gstevens62]

Thanks Hannah! I always enjoy your videos. Keep 'em coming!

[@zelllers]

I'm enjoying budgeting more since being isolated. My expenses are way down :D

[@rleebond]

Always love your videos, but this one was especially good. You're a gem 💎

[@cottreda]

Flexibility without boundaries is called being aimless. Love your videos.

[@longroadset]

Hannah! Thank you so much for helping me figure out this doesn't have to be a chore.

[@dollr67]

Hannah I really enjoy your videos with your fun loving take on a topic that many like myself dead at times. Thank you and look forward to more YNAB videos from you. Also, really love the pictures that you take with your media production business too.

[@katiejustice8818]

I can relate to EVERY SINGLE ONE of these! Love the fish analogy! 💛

[@thebudgetnurse]

Yaaassss!! Thank you Hannah for this video! You must be a mind reader. I struggle with all of these from time to time. Especially the avoidance piece. Happening just last week. I decided that if I was going to have to stay at home then I was going to re-decorate. Needless to say, after I got my head out of the sand, March turned into a 'roll with the punches' lesson on avoidance. Thanks again!

[@jacko213141ejd]

Your fish sorry was so inspiring... Got me thinking a lot!

[@FelipeMendez]

I love these videos keep em coming!

[@marisamoody6324]

I love your videos! Thanks for the hot tips!!!

[@dianejavier3551]

Thank you for your videos and your honesty, Hannah! You're my favorite and these videos are truly relatable and USEFUL!

[@YNABofficial]

Yay!! Girl, budgeting is a journey if nothing else. I'm learning the importance of sharing the 10,000 ways NOT to make a lightbulb alongside the actual tips to making a successful lightbulb. Except that in this metaphor the lightbulb is the budget. But lightbulb sounds more inspirational. Ya feel me. -Hannah :)

[@DontTellMyMom]

I love ur videos. It kind a changed my way of thinking about YNAB, in a positive way :)

[@annybear3]

Seriously love these videos. I put on the playlist all the time in the background - slowly ingraining these ideas into my brain. It's very helpful.

[@YNABofficial]

Ha! Budgeting osmosis. 😌 -Hannah 🌻

[@Prevailingbucket]

Living within the boundaries. Wow, if the fish can do it. Maybe our culture should ponder this a little more often. Hannah you are definitely within your element “boundaries” excellent work. Your videos along with YNAB are helping so many people. Thank you.

[@YNABofficial]

Tim! Such kind words! Thank you so much for the encouragement. Let me know if there's ever any content you want covered! -Hannah 🌻

[@heatherk569]

Hannah I love you so much! You're so engaging and genuine! ♡

[@YNABofficial]

THANKS!! This comment totally made my day :) 🌻 Hannah

[@RonaldMorrissetteJr]

fish analogy thrive within boundaries - we thrive within the boundaries of God's word

[@Natazavrik]

This is my favorite video, Hannah! ❤️

[@YNABofficial]

Aww, thanks Natasha!! I wonder if I should revisit and see what new things budgeting has taught me since this video... 🤔 -Hannah 🌻

[@dwmiska]

Hannah, I absolutely LOVE your videos! They make me smile and laugh and shake my head when I remember how I did so many of the things you describe. I've been YNABing (on and off) since about 2007 - I remember/used Jesse's first spreadsheet (back then the rules were numbered differently) but what I really wanted to comment on was your 'million categories' thing. A few years ago I had so many categories that I LITERALLY was budgeting $1 or $2 in each of them which, I admit, was why I stopped for a time. I think that was when I came across a whiteboard wednesday video by Jesse on the Fresh Start function. So I dug out the old budget with all the overdue automatic entries and tried it. Best video I ever watched (up until now) cuz I've been faithfully YNABing since - even with all the ups and downs you've been describing. Keep making these videos Hannah, love the coffee mugs and the pig (even if he can't keep that hat on)

[@YNABofficial]

Wow Doug! That's an awesome testimony. I've done my fairrrrr sharrrre of fresh starts over the years... sometimes you just need a clean slate to get your head in the right space again. And making a million categories seems so responsible and like smart forward-thinking, but really we just gotta start with the basics and add those necessary extra categories as they make themselves apparent. Love that you've found your way now! You and me both!! -Hannah :)

[@BrandonBurch]

Thanks for that last one.

[@arturocalzadillas2946]

Thanks!

[@TheEvanator87]

That ‘coffee’ looks like my wife’s, a cup of creamer with a little coffee in it! 😂

[@dgran3715]

Is there a Hannah playlist? I get bored with most YNAB vids but Hannah explains everything so well I want to send all my friends her videos. I forget I’m budgeting with Hannah because she makes it easy.

[@YNABofficial]

You bet, Donald! kzbin.info/aero/PLq0_N-XTl2yDWGTHHHYhfB_KumLx1zANh

[@matthewcruz1709]

The fish/freedom analogy is so true: and also applies to Christian life. You are the fish. Christianity is the ocean. Structured freedom.

[@YNABofficial]

Ahhh, great minds thing alike Matthew. ;) -Hannah :)

[@Alster763]

I'm going for it 😀

[@YNABofficial]

GO FOR IT. -Hannah :)

[@Luvs2read33]

Just an FYI nail polish goes bad faster if it’s stored in the bathroom due to the humidity changes. It used to be okay but manufacturers have removed quite a few of the chemicals that kept the polish good in spite of the humidity changes.

[@garydunken7934]

You are very good. You should start your own channel!

[@TheFashionGeek100]

I know this isn't the point of the video, but as an English major, I'm obligated to point out that "flexibility works best within structure" is a paradox, not an oxymoron. While both contain contradictory terms, a paradox usually implies an action based on a logical truth that is counterintuitive. An oxymoron is descriptive in nature. It's the conjoining of two words that make no literal sense (i.e. "jumbo shrimp" or "pretty ugly"), and so the phrase creates a dramatic effect, conveys playfulness, or expresses a certain irony. Both oxymoron and paradox twist words and illustrate complex ideas, but only the paradox twists logic (or more like reveals the truth in contradictory logic). The author Neil Gaimon explains that an oxymoron "reveals a double-sided existence of an object or idea". He gives the example of "bittersweet". A paradox is a longer statement with a contradictory action, which would make the lesson a paradox. Anyway, thank you for this video. As a new budgeter, I needed all of these lessons. Especially the idea that nothing happens overnight. It really quelled my own frustrations about wanting my budget to reflect a perfect reality instead of it reflecting my progress towards living in financial alignment with my goals.

[@melissaespinosa2500]

This was very helpful for me! I have a better understanding of both of those words now. Thanks!

[@eKarly]

Hannah you are perfect never change 😂

[@curefansc]

Love these videos!! Where's Pig?

[@amandacollins518]

My mantra this last year has been 5 minutes matter.

[@claudiaramosmonteiro]

I suspect this isn't what Caroline meant xD Thank you, Hannah ^^

[@kellys4703]

Haha! “LMMO”. I was a grade one teacher and even funnier was when the odd kid thought there was ONE letter called “alemeno”

[@YNABofficial]

^ That was me!! It's either a fish or a letter, and it's in the alphabet song, so it must be a letter! -Hannah :

[@chibioniyuri]

That fifth lesson hit hard. I read those "this person paid off $xxx in a year" and thought I was doing something wrong as well. Spent the last half of 2019 pulling as many extra shifts as I could to pay off lingering medical debt that I paid on credit cards. And then my dog had a cardiovascular event in February, and I spent $8500 in 6 weeks trying to help him reach a stable condition before realizing that it wasn't working. Now I'm right back where I was debt-wise and regretting chasing someone else's journey instead of enjoying my own. Lesson learned.

[@YNABofficial]

Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear about some of the hits you've taken this past year :( Truly, different seasons of life call for different paces. It's okay to slow down the debt pay-back if you have higher, more pressing priorities! I'm so sorry to hear about your furry friend :( Move at whatever pace is intuitive to your current circumstances; we always know our own situations best and can make the best call for ourselves! -Hannah :)

[@YNABofficial]

Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear about some of the hits you've taken this past year :( Truly, different seasons of life call for different paces. It's okay to slow down the debt pay-back if you have higher, more pressing priorities! I'm so sorry to hear about your furry friend :( Move at whatever pace is intuitive to your current circumstances; we always know our own situations best and can make the best call for ourselves! -Hannah :)

[@YNABofficial]

Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear about some of the hits you've taken this past year :( Truly, different seasons of life call for different paces. It's okay to slow down the debt pay-back if you have higher, more pressing priorities! I'm so sorry to hear about your furry friend :( Move at whatever pace is intuitive to your current circumstances; we always know our own situations best and can make the best call for ourselves! -Hannah :)

[@YNABofficial]

Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear about some of the hits you've taken this past year :( Truly, different seasons of life call for different paces. It's okay to slow down the debt pay-back if you have higher, more pressing priorities! I'm so sorry to hear about your furry friend :( Move at whatever pace is intuitive to your current circumstances; we always know our own situations best and can make the best call for ourselves! -Hannah :)

[@YNABofficial]

Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear about some of the hits you've taken this past year :( Truly, different seasons of life call for different paces. It's okay to slow down the debt pay-back if you have higher, more pressing priorities! I'm so sorry to hear about your furry friend :( Move at whatever pace is intuitive to your current circumstances; we always know our own situations best and can make the best call for ourselves! -Hannah :)

[@NS-pf2zc]

Hahaha, I remember Caroline's comment! So Hannah DOES read the comments!

[@thosewhowander5815]

How do I subscribe to just Hannah?

[@ShaunHickox]

What have you got against fish?

[@aaroncirilo77]

so entertaining

[@conureron3792]

Covid-19 caused some structural changes to the ole budget....allocation for “emergency pantry provisions”, for example.

[@glendamorrison5159]

Everything she said was me... amen amen🤭

[@Rebel_AF]

You need to do stand-up. Seriously. I've never laughed more trying to organize my budget (and not at the balance) 🤣

[@YNABofficial]

To be fair, I think there's a pretty low bar for budgeting humor. Not much competition out there 😂 But THANK YOU! Life's more fun when you're laughin'. -Hannah 🌻

[@susanczajka6327]

I love you!! lol

[@dollr67]

I do have a question. How does YNAB teachings go with the teachings of the Dave Ramsey program?

[@YNABofficial]

They're totally compatible! We've got a bit of a different approach to budgeting, but you can certainly follow the Dave Ramsey steps while using YNAB for budgeting.

[@zelllers]

YNAB is two things, a tool and a method. You can use the tool with a different method, much like a hammer.

[@z3rostr1fe]

...and that is why in TV/Movies, the cups are always empty...

[@amycreagh3108]

Can someone help me understand how to add transactions myself and then also have my bank transactions linked so I don't miss anything. Is that a thing?

[@YNABofficial]

I gotchoo Amy! Watch this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4eblp2vf7d3btk -Hannah :)

[@amycreagh3108]

@@YNABofficial sweet!! Thanks Hannah👍🏻😊💰

[@JonHuhnMedical]

How is this girl single?? Asking for a friend.

[@JonHuhnMedical]

@@SoulpunkTVshow Ha ha, it was meant as a compliment :) No fantasy here.

[@NS2589]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Hannah's favorite Disney movie is The Little Mermaid 😄

[@YNABofficial]

Oof, I was an Aristocats/Oliver & Company/Fox & the Hound kinda kid 😎 Not a princess girl, I'm all about dem animals. -Hannah :)

[@NS2589]

@@YNABofficial ah, & it's a swing and a miss! 😂 4:55 this story just sounded very Little Mermaid inspired. Respect for your other choices though; Fox and the Hound is my personal all time favorite!

[@BBarnes904]

L N N O P 😂🤣😂

[@lauried2164]

Oats and acne. OMG, hilarious!

[@andrewpowell8327]

Guys, I need a budget, but YNAB.... its hard to understand.

[@milkweed6358]

This is a great video! Hannah, do you know your enneagram type? I'm a 9 and I totally relate to you! 😂

[@YNABofficial]

Wonderful question! I've been questioning my enneagram identity for years now. I resonate a lot with the 1 as far as good/bad/doing things right goes, but I'm not at all the super perfectionist I-write-my-essays-four-weeks-before-they're-due-and-have-a-plan-for-everything kinda person... I might actually be the exact opposite. Wondering if I'm a 9w1, because I don't like to rock the boat and people-pleasing is both a blessing and a curse. I'll letcha know in 27 years when I land on one :P

[@milkweed6358]

@@YNABofficial Haha! Well, I think 9w1s are more likely to not work on the essay for four weeks because they don't think they will write it well enough, so they just avoid it. Nines are also indecisive, so that could be why you haven't figured out a type yet. :D Seth Abram is a 9 (I think w1?) and there are a lot of things he says resonate with me, so maybe listen to a few podcast episodes with him and see if that fits better for you?

[@YNABofficial]

Well milkweed, you just described my entire life. I think I just discovered my enneagram type. 🙌🏼 -Hannah :)

[@milkweed6358]

Welcome to the party! It's super cool to have people who know the way you think, but a little weird sometimes! 😄

[@jackieshrock5279]

i really like tator tots!

[@ulimawidyadhana]

O Ool

[@ericjones3920]

Underwater tater tots? 😂

[@marineb7617]

@Hannah I’m a Virgo…..I’m guessing you’re a Virgo?! Are you?? ….just asking 😊😆…Greta video as always….❤️🇬🇧🙌££

[@YNABofficial]

I believe I'm actually a Pisces! No idea what that means-something about a fish or two. -Hannah 🌻