Dave Ramsey's EveryDollar Budgeting App Review -$25,630

[@familydays7371]

I tried the app and I didn't really care for it either. While my husband's paycheck is usually predictable for each month, we do a lot of things on the side for extra money that is NOT predictable at all, which drove me nutty when trying to use that app. I'm definitely sticking to my spreadsheet. Great review!

[@TF-MJ]

I actually do two budgets. The first is the normal one I do on my Excel spread sheet, and then I do the every dollar one because my husband and I can both log into the ap from our phones and keep track of it. Great review!!!

[@BudgetGirl]

The Former Mrs Jones I thought of that after I filmed, that it might be good for couples so multiple people can input transactions before they forget easily. I'm glad it's working for you guys!

[@ashleychandler7978]

Thanks for the honest review! I got inspired by you and gazelleintents to make my own excel spreadsheet (I was using pen and paper and getting frustrated every time I used it) and now I can't imagine life without it. I was tempted by the app but worried that it would be restrictive after using a customizable budget. Thanks for answering all my questions 😀

[@BudgetGirl]

Ashley Chandler That's an excellent way to put it Ashley. It does feel slightly restrictive after having something custom. Their budget is too legit though... totally scares me. :-D

[@samuraischolar]

I think Dave Ramsey and great and has helped a lot of people, but at the same time, he runs a business and I feel like he tries to sell people products that they really shouldn't be buying if they are gazelle intense like he suggests. I know that there is a free version of the app, but it seems like (like you said), you can build a free customized spreadsheet that would work better.

[@BudgetGirl]

samuraischolar I don't begrudge anyone making money. Dave releases a LOT of free content that helps a lot of people, myself included. I also have always manually inputted expenses into my spreadsheet, so I didn't have any issue with doing the same thing on EveryDollar. It takes two seconds to have your bank account up and copy over expenses. I also recognize that not everyone may know HOW to build and maintain a spreadsheet. Mine started very simple, I had never really used excel before, and became more complex as I got better at it and needed it to. For someone who that would be intimidating for, EveryDollar is definitely a way for them to see HOW to track their expenses. Thanks for commenting!

[@annanebel6655]

I tried the EveryDollar Budget too and I have to say that I also didn't like it for the same reasons. Also, I found it frustrating that I had to put in the emergency fund at the first month of budgeting (even tough I'm on BS4 now), because it didn't let me set my starting parameters to tell the budget where I am on excatly. So, i have to agree - it is pretty but mine (I also use google docs) works better and is adjustable to my needs. Great review!

[@lunacarmin]

Google docs FTW!! I use Google docs because is as convenient as a traditional spreadsheet but you can access it everywhere. Actually my husband also uses it for his own personal spending.

[@MsAnna4040]

I'm with you, I,created my own excel sheet for my budget. I love it and it works when we have OT.

[@maggiegodoy7012]

Love the honest review. Looking forward to more videos!!!

[@tbofamily8509]

Great video! The every dollar app is good to get people thinking about budgeting and hopefully gives people motivation to get started, but i am not of fan of it in use. I really did not like that I couldn't mark that I already had baby step 1 complete and it turned me off to the app instantly. I felt like it was taking forever to set up too. I like my spreadsheet. lol

[@TeddyBear1287]

Thank you for your honest review! Totally agree, I tried it and immediately was turned off by how difficult it was to enter data and re-create my budget. I use Excel for my budget, and use Mint.com to validate that I've done everything correctly and so has the bank! The thing that drives me the most crazy about EveryDollar is that I created an account to try it out, and there's no way to get rid of it! I've contacted support many times and they can't and won't delete an account. Dave Ramsey owns my (and your) information forever! It makes me nuts when he says "Just try it out, it's free!" on his show... I scream "No don't! It's a trap!" every time! lol!!!

[@BudgetGirl]

TeddyBear1287 I didn't know I couldn't delete the account. That sucks. I was planning on doing just that.

[@CaffeinatedObserver]

I wonder about that every time Dave mentions how many people are using EveryDollar. 400k people who can't delete their account? Lol

[@TeddyBear1287]

Shannon Allain Me too! Hopefully if enough people ask to delete their accounts, they'll add the ability to do so!

[@WellBehavedWallet]

Thanks for the review! Sounds like it's fun to play with, but maybe a good old pencil/legal pad + Excel might be the way to go...

[@CaffeinatedObserver]

I spent like 15 minutes with the app and went back to my Numbers/Excel spreadsheet that I can easily pull up on my iPad/iPhone or computer.

[@risingphoenix4306]

I'm a spreadsheet gal myself. I have my spreadsheet in Numbers for iPhone/iPad so it auto updates no matter what device I'm on. To track my accounts-checking savings and credit cards ( I don't follow Dave to the letter- I have 1 card I pay off every month, it gives me cash back and offers insurance protection for my cell phones), I use the MyCheckbook app. I don't think I will be trying every dollar because if it ain't broke don't fix it. ;)

[@maureencairney9549]

I am definitely sticking to my google spreadsheet, I love it...

[@skyywalker21]

Sticking to my pad, pen and calculator ... Thanks for the review!

[@glsims65]

What I don't like is that my monthly "expenditures" such as saving $100 a month for car replacement look as though I spent that money, but I didn't - I saved it. I can't explain it, but it's confusing to me.

[@BudgetGirl]

glsims65 Everydollar does have an option to make something into "a fund" where you're spending the money into the account but you're really saving it. You can set it up when you make the budget and plan so much for a car replacement. It pulls up on the right when you click it and there is an option to "Make into fund." It allows you to set a goal for it, but doesn't really do anything else, but if it's mostly a mental block. That may help.

[@glsims65]

Budget Girl Thanks for all your help!

[@misstbikini]

Thank you for the review. I use a spreadsheet as well, like you I need actual numbers.

[@samantharachel.7943]

I love my spread sheet... I tried the app and I felt the same way you did! It's a great idea but I wish I could change somethings in the app

[@bankingonmoney8224]

I have not used the app but know a few that have. They state Mint.com is much better. I still prefer excel myself. Great review.

[@craftcornerwithestherc2506]

I like it so far. I do hope they make some improvements

[@risingphoenix4306]

Also, I don't look at my credit cards as free money, it's money that I already budgeted for things I was going to buy with my debit anyway. I use cash for everything else. So I'm a Dave Ramsey hybrid. Don't hate me. :)

[@BudgetGirl]

***** No hate Pheonix. I don't do things that way and Dave would probably not approve, but I still contribute to my 401k. We all have to do what works best for us! Thanks for watching.

[@BudgetGirl]

***** No hate Pheonix. I don't do things that way and Dave would probably not approve, but I still contribute to my 401k. We all have to do what works best for us! Thanks for watching.

[@hrcubsgirl]

I love this app. It's great for beginners which I am.

[@TheTalldiva]

I tried the system but I kept getting frustrated that you can't see debt progress and that categories that you turn into funds you can't see the running totals with out going into them. I like me spreadsheet inspired by GazelleIn Tents better!

[@982743]

darling, we can't see the screen you are pointing to :(

[@michellez2018]

I know you still use your Excel budget, but I'd love to see you do an update on the most recent Everydollar app

[@BudgetGirl]

My friend Wendy Valencia at kzbin.info/door/wEyu7TDic4vdBilnR6obbg has a series of reviews and tutorials on this. As I haven't been using it, I might not be the best to review. :-)

[@scottheitman9548]

in Dave's every dollar you also have to do the math externally when figuring split transactions. Those don't work very well. Also the every dollar app falls very short on budgeting for irregular income. You just scratched the surface of how inadaquate this tool is for tracking variances in income. Especially seasonal income. Maybe his team could hire you or someone with broader experience to revamp and update the program.

[@JustinMentionedIt]

I don't get how the savings group works like what if you actually spend money out of the savings there's now way to track that

[@JonO387]

I had to make my own in Excel. It's the only way to do it if you make commissions.

[@glsims65]

Can you post a link to your google spreadsheet (without your info, of course)?

[@BudgetGirl]

glsims65 You got it! I'll do a video with links to download this weekend!

[@kimberlybrooks7436]

I was wondering if for us that do not know how. How to set up a spread sheet can you show us how to set that up...

[@BudgetGirl]

Kimberly Brooks kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2aqkpyQe5aIoqM

[@patinahunny]

i just found google spreedsheets i am working out how to us it

[@PetePuebla]

Why do you keep records of your budget??? What for?

[@BudgetGirl]

***** Hi Pete. I keep records of my budget so I can calculate yearly spending to better budget for the following year and see my spending patterns on a larger scale. For instance, I can average a year of electricity columns in my budget and see how much I should be budgeting for the following year. I can also pick out patterns, better see if my expenses are creeping up or if I'm spending more in one category than I'm comfortable with. At the end of each year, I actually look over everything to see where I can improve things and see how far I've come. Check out this video, where I compare budgets for one month over three years. Hopefully this will help answer your question! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZrVfpyuhN2Gl5Y

[@shannonwilhelm5320]

Dave R. is wonderful. However, I think everyone does need a good credit score. I use Mint.com because it's free for tracking debts. Thank you for your video.

[@thehowtostudios1980]

yeah i agree daves app is nearly useless for tracking money

[@SheilaDenisse]

I use budgetworksheets.org,Its very simple to use not complicated at all... thanks for the review!!