Fallen Off the YNAB Wagon? You're Not Alone.

[@Jennheartsqs]

LOVED this style of video and couldn't agree more. A few years ago I'd also fallen off the YNAB wagon. I knew my finances were a mess, but I felt so guilty and avoided logging back in to the app because I felt like my old budget would just be judging me. When I finally decided to just do a Fresh Start (without even looking at my old budget), it was so freeing and showed me that there were no budget police who were going to come scold me for starting over. We're all just doing the best we can each day.

[@NanetteLoves2Budget]

That we are!

[@YNABofficial]

That's the way to do! Don't bother looking back, just move forward!! Ernie would approve 👍🏻 🌻 Hannah

[@anthonyobrien3841]

After many years of trying ( and failing) to properly manage my finances I stumbled across YNAB. I signed up about four months ago and I'm already on track to kill my monthly reliance on credit cards before the end of the year. Not only that but I have enough money saved for Christmas. If I don't have enough I will just manage with what I have, no credit. I'm a data junkie, so being able to see all of those green lines is such a motivator for me. Thank you so much.

[@KTquiltsandsews]

Sometimes I just want to watch a YNAB video, especially by you Hannah with your sense of humor and extreme empathy. Life is rarely predictable. My husband just got a job again after four months without one and we made it. Thank you for being so authentic. This video is awesome. xx Karen

[@YNABofficial]

So kind 🥹 And WOW, way to go for navigating a tough season with grace!! Amazing! Thanks for the encouragement, Karen 🥰 🌻 Hannah

[@jimc12]

For me, I’ve been trying to use YNAB for 6 years. I’ve have yet to complete two or three months without doing a fresh start. At a few points I stopped using it for over 6 months even though I pay yearly for the service. It was transactions, then I simplified my six accounts down to three. Then Chrissy said she overspent on categories and was frustrated and would just start over. That’s where I am at now. I keep telling myself just keep at it and I will get better.

[@jennivanhart3016]

Ooof, this hit home big time. October required us to do some fancy footwork. We had my father-in-law move in with us thanks to hurricane damage to his home, so finding funds to cover the additional expenses incurred with his move and his life was craziness. This Budget Nerd had to let go of all my rules to just make it work for October. November will look similar but it is feeling more in control than October. #dumpsterfire. My YNAB brought me comfort though as it was the only thing I could even slightly control in October. It was my safe space of sorts.

[@angelabladow2081]

You have no idea how much I needed this message! I have fallen off more times than I can count and always felt like I was just bad at YNAB. I am currently doing catch up after a couple months of not being consistent. I have been using YNAB for a long time (like before YNAB 4, long time). I always come back to YNAB because nothing else works for me. My goal in 2025 is to be consistent the whole year and not get months behind. Wish me luck. On second thought, I may reduce my goal to just 3 months and see how it goes. Thank you for your compassion and humor❤

[@YNABofficial]

Yes! That's a life hack I've found for myself. Whenever I set too lofty of goals, the moment I even *think* I might mess it up, I subconsciously give up on the whole thing. Seeing smaller, more tangible goals gets you to that feeling of accomplishment and pride MUCH faster, and gives you the energy to keep up with your good habits! I'd even say set yourself a goal of keeping up with YNAB for a MONTH, and pre-select a little treat you'll get for yourself if you do-your favorite latte that has way too much sugar, a much needed car wash, that cute little christmas door wreath that you don't really need but would look so cute on your front porch. Getting rewarded for your positive behavior changes makes a big difference in helping us maintain that momentum! 🌻 Hannah

[@esskaym]

So timely!!!!! I’ve fallen off the wagon and have been meaning to get started again. I’m off to get my laptop and do a Fresh Start!

[@gpslentz]

Same!

[@YNABofficial]

You got this!! I believe in us all!! 🌻 Hannah

[@stephv1563]

I really loved this video! It was very helpful. The great thing is with time getting back on the wagon is so much easier and I truly do feel so much better when I pay attention to YNAB. I love this positive, non judgmental community.

[@davidmstone1]

I totally relate to Sarah. If I'm not approving transactions daily and reconciling, my budget goes off track. Back in February my age of money was 41 days. After a month and a half of not keeping up, it dropped to 27. 9 months later and I'm only back up to 32. Quite a few of those February/March purchases were for things in the end I didn't even need. Now, I check my budget before I make most purchases.

[@p-j-y-d]

To roll with the punches also means to roll with your own punches. To yourself. And that's fiiiine.

[@YNABofficial]

Hahahahahaha, this made me laugh out loud 😂😂😂 🌻 Hannah

[@VeloLisa]

I can’t imagine YNAB not being a daily part of my life. 🤷‍♀️

[@judymccarver5833]

Great idea for encouraging people in their budgets. The very thing I love about YNAB is that after a while when you have your budget set up (auto imports!!!) YNAB runs itself. All I do is -1 check my budget before I spend and --2 categorize -automatic imports. Period. So literally I never fall off of YNAB when following these twin/two steps. Direct imports are paramount. If I were manually entering my transactions, I would drown and be among the throngs who stop budgeting. Who would not?

[@chopstickhero]

it's nice to hear "there's no perfect budget."

[@YNABofficial]

Amen! We're all just doin' our best! 🌻 Hannah

[@libbysworld7649]

This meant the world to me this week. Thank you. I just went into open enrollment at work and everything increased, plus both hubby and I decided to increase our HSA to the maximum and save the difference between that and our max out of pocket, just in case. Not cheap! This helped me breathe a bit. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[@YNABofficial]

Yes, I feel this! We also just went through open enrollment, upped our HSA contribution, upped our 401k contribution, AND unexpectedly bought a new car (and being 11 years newer than our last, also means more insurance!). We're feeling it right now too, but I know we can just rearrange our dollars and priorities in YNAB and it'll probably feel like nothing ever even happened. A lifesaver! 🌻 Hannah

[@amberayers4058]

I needed this video. I fell off the YNAB wagon for a few year and just willy nilly'd everything. I was over spending like crazy and really felt like a failure. I just started again 11/1 with the More Money Challenge. I never even thought to reach out to YNAB for help. Please post more video like this. We all need to feel human every now and then. I appreciate everyone sharing their stories.

[@YNABofficial]

Totally reminds me of something both Ernie and Sarah said in their interviews (that I don't believe made the final video?): we stop using YNAB because we're afraid of a money system controlling us, but the reason we go BACK to YNAB is because we realize how much control it actually *gave us*! Isn't that fascinating? Resonated so deeply with me. 🌻 Hannah

[@awinnett]

As someone with ADHD, I rely on automatic entry. I am on my 9th month of YNAB saving my life and I could not be where I am without it. There's some toxic culture with some YNABers where utilizing automatic entry is "not real YNAB" or "training wheels". That's nonsense. It is totally legit. It is totally a great way to use it. Because anything that works, works.

[@andplanesx3]

Sameee!!! Every time I fell off, I was trying to conform to the manual entry “gurus” but it just got too overwhelming and kept giving up. Finally switched to automatic, and I’ve been keeping up with my current budget since Sept 2023 🎉

[@Leavingforthelasttime]

I really needed to hear this. It's such a weight off my shoulders to know I am not alone. And you helped me answer the "what next" question. I wasn't looking for a video on YNAB when I came onto KZbin today, but I'm so happy I decided to watch this. Now I don't feel like a financial failure.

[@YNABofficial]

YAY! So glad to hear it. It's so easy to struggle with that "I'm behind" or "I'm not doing it right" feeling. You got this! Just time to ask new questions, reshuffle, and reprioritize. We have everything we need already within us!! 🌻 Hannah

[@classicrockonly]

6:58 legit thought I was hearing my baby lol. I'm new to YNAB, and it has been keeping my wife and myself honest with the money we have and spend. Our debts and bad spending have been pushing us in the negative this whole year. But seeing what we have and trying to keep true to our categories has been a massive help. We don't have some of our baby categories nailed though. This month we've been pulling money from our Clothing category to fund our baby's own clothing category as she's growing and needing things. Seeing our debts, money we have, and assigning money to categories has massively lifted a burden off our minds

[@janesprague1]

Hannah, I think this is your best video ever! Well, maybe not the best as there are soooo many others that are outstanding, too, but this particular video is the most human and inclusive (vs. instructional) one. I knew I just couldn't be the only one struggling, and although I haven't fallen off YNAB (because not knowing my financial picture (good or bad) causes me waaaaay more stress than I want in my life), I've often considered Fresh Start-ing or simplifying or or or ... and just not coming up with the "right" plan. There is no forever right plan! Life and finances are constantly changing! OK, I think I could go on and on, but what I learned from my YNAB support team (yes, MY YNAB team - I love these folks!!) is that they sometimes feel exactly the same way I do, and that's a comfort and an encouragement, and now I'm able to impart that same comfort and encouragement to the YNABers in my life. I hope you're able to do another interview video again sometime. All of you are just awesome, and I'm so grateful to the entire YNAB team for showing me how to have peace of mind. Love ya!

[@santizo715]

Damn, this episode was 🔥I’m guilty of falling of the YNAB wagon but keep coming back, better than before. It’s progress over perfection and a beautiful reminder to be kind to yourself, and to remember “you are not alone.”

[@YNABofficial]

BETTER THAN BEFORE is the best part! Sometimes falling off is what we need to actually come back with MORE CLARITY! Love it. You're definitely not alone! 🌻 Hannah

[@ErnieV76]

I CANT LIVE without YNAB. When I finally got it down, it just gives me peace of mind. (I wanna work there😁) Especially now that I am using credit cards for Traveling miles, budgeting is essential.

[@YNABofficial]

Same dude, same. You fit in well here! 🌻 Hannah

[@ErnieV76]

@ 😊🙏🏼

[@HershLundy]

There's a sermon in here somewhere. Getting "off the wagon" is more common than we realize. All sorts of people and groups live this, and it takes courage and charity to bring it home.

[@YNABofficial]

It's certainly true for more than just money!! I feel ya! Have grace for yourself-we're all doing the best we can. 🌻 Hannah

[@jamischlafer7804]

Direct import is key: set it, review 5 minutes daily, then forget it. The iphone widget makes it so easy to check before buying.

[@girl-wonder-here]

I had no idea there was a widget! Thanks for sharing

[@ravenclawrebel89]

Persistence at whatever level that you’re at compounds over time.” 🤌🏻🤯

[@YNABofficial]

YES!! Isn't Caroline a gem?! Love her! 🌻 Hannah

[@Kathleenthefernwayflipper]

Oh wow!! Like a balm to my financial soul. Perfect timing. Thank you. YNAB is truly an app with a heart. ❤

[@YNABofficial]

And your comment was like balm to my financial soul, too 🥰 🌻 Hannah

[@Morales13795]

Love this! ❤ I had been off YNAB for a couple of weeks and felt awful about it. Love to hear YNAB employees offering advice from personal experience.

[@cathyvazquez5034]

This was so helpful. I was so scared to go back in since I fell off. But now I know that it’s ok. Giving myself grace❤

[@YNABofficial]

You are not alone! You got this!! 🌻 Hannah

[@drloveslearning4744]

I also find vacations are when I tend to drift away from my normal use of YNAB, though outside of that I use it quite methodically - interesting to find out that I'm not the only one to experience the occasional drift - as someone else noted, when I'm on vacation there are a lot more transactions and it can feel overwhelming.

[@tetrealll132]

Hanna, this is your best yet! I really enjoyed this episode!

[@jonahrees9144]

Such a good video and thanks to everyone for sharing. Direct import really works well, reliable and accurate, and makes it easy to keep up with little hassle.

[@p-j-y-d]

My "solution" to vacations budget indiscipline (when it happens, and probably when it will happen) is doing a huge Balance Reconciliation (my bank accounts know better). No manual or automatic transactions entering. Just the big number to reconciliate. And assigning that to Vacations category. No one will take away what you've enjoyed during that period. Move on, and keep budgeting as usual. No fresh start needed. After that, "Reflect" reports will be your friend, giving you insights for better budgeting in the future.

[@VioletEmerald]

I loved this one so much! Really unexpected format and it was so cool to hear all these voices.

[@yuhz1m1]

This was the most validating video. Thank you so much.

[@jordanwilliams9300]

What a great episode!

[@tinas8807]

👏👏👏👏👏👏 So needed to hear this. Thank you for this behind the scenes look at real people doing real life.

[@YNABofficial]

Anytime! We're all just out here doing our best!! 🌻 Hannah

[@mistygood7202]

This video was so wonderful and perfect timing to get me back in YNAB! Thank you!

[@anditippie5923]

😭 the kindness and compassion of YNAB touches my soul and heals my financial trauma. Thank you!🥰😍💕

[@YNABofficial]

🥹 Well if this didn't just make our day 🥰 🌻 Hannah

[@NameGoesHere-rw4ji]

I absolutely love how much YNAB has helped my family, but most of all - I love pronouncing it to my wife as "YaN-Bee" :D

[@YNABofficial]

😂😂 🌻 Hannah

[@jennpatterson8802]

This video was amazing

[@sherrydiddle]

I loved this, Hannah! A good reminder that we are all human and deserve a little grace!

[@YNABofficial]

You are not alone! 🌻 Hannah

[@ASan512]

Oh man, I've been diligent about using YNAB for about a year and half now. I overspend almost every month, but I never stopped using it. I wonder what it'll do to me when I do fall off. I'm YNAB broke every month and if I ever feel like I suddenly have 2 months worth of funds to spend however I want....well, I'd rather not think too hard on it.

[@ItsCeleste101]

Loved this one!

[@gpslentz]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This video made my day.

[@gabriellejoyce1415]

So moving, bringing me back to the light! 💡

[@YNABofficial]

Welcome back!! 🌻 Hannah

[@JK13A]

When I first started I had to start over I think 3 times before I figured out how YNAB works. For now I haven't needed to for almost 1.5 years.

[@MT-hk9cp]

This pops up while for the past several days of file importing, reconciling months of transactions

[@deborahrives1184]

Great episode!

[@NightwindArcher]

My broke ass needed this.

[@YNABofficial]

😂 Don't we all! 🌻 Hannah

[@acf3727]

That was awesome 👏 🎉

[@andrewpierce6137]

Are those discs on the wall?! I wonder what overlap there is between YNAB and the best cheap sport on the planet

[@YNABofficial]

They ARE discs on the wall and the overlap is my husband 😂😂 🌻 Hannah

[@ForrestNovak]

You've got every right To a beautiful life Come on Who says, who says you're not perfect? Who says you're not worth it? Who says you're the only one that's hurting? Trust me, that's the price of beauty- Selena Gomez & the Scene Who Says

[@YNABofficial]

Selena sang a song about being gracious with your YNABing habit?! What a gem, we knew we liked her. 🌻 Hannah

[@danwilliams582]

I would like to use the moble app to enter purchases as I make them but I don't. I think because entering via my phone isn't as easy as it is at my pc keyboard. With AI becoming so good at so many things, has the YNAB developers taken a look at the possiblity of using AI to "look" at paper receipts that get when I purchase most things, and having the YNAB app examine the receipt and process it for me? I suspect that it would take some "training" so that the AI would recognize where the important information is on each receipt and a bit more difficult would be recognizing where the expense or expenses "go" in my categories. Please give it some consideration as if YNAB could make it work, or work reasonably well enough, it would make keeping up with entering purchases so much easier! Oh, I would be glad to be a "beta tester".

[@lisaroper421]

Comment for the algorithm!

[@YNABofficial]

Appreciated! 🌻 Hannah

[@yam1212]

I only saw the first two seconds but Hannah pod???

[@YNABofficial]

😂😂 Nope, just branchin' out! 🌻 Hannah

[@benmcintyre9490]

"I'm going to forgive myself for what I didn't do, and I'm just going to start." 🔥🔥🔥