Saturday, December 31, 2011

The Very Best All The Way - Personal Finance Software Review

By Daniel Sanchez


I'm computer impaired when it comes to doing that. What has it done for me"

You cannot use this software to balance your checkbook, but it will balance your budget. One of the best features of this software is that it will allow you to apply money to a specific category each month, and let that category grow. I really wanted to. I love this program and feel that it has helped me immensely to understand and gain control of my finances. Let's say your car breaks down and its $900 to get it repaired. Without a budget, this can overwhelm you easily.

I am learning to think whether expenditures fit within my income now - or if I should wait for later, or not spend at all. I am seriously enjoying this process!

A common thread through many of these reviews seems to be along the lines of: "I've tried Microsoft Money and Quicken, and they were good at tracking, but not at really budgeting. Then I tried YNAB, and I've never been happier". This has revolutionized the way our family spends money. The budget is no longer a drudgery, but rather is totally freeing. So some people may need to use YNAB side by side with something like Quicken until it catches up. A few of my issues will be addressed with the release of YNAB 3 (which you will get as an upgrade if you purchase version 2 now). If you're a Dave Ramsey fan like me, then you'll approve of the methods used in YNAB. It uses "Zero Based Budgeting", the "Envelope System", and a "Buffer" as tools to help you get control of your spending.

Prior to using YNAB, we had been sinking further and further into debt. We would pay some off and then have an 'emergency' or some 'need' arise that set us back further than what we had paid off. And I'm budgeting for June's expenses with an eye to leftover April income instead of instantly using Mays. The way I'm beginning to think of it is: Quicken is a snapshot of yesterday. There was plenty of thought put into this software and I can't praise it enough! Anyone who'd like to get a grip on their financial situation will be pleasantly surprised with the ease and effectiveness of YNAB and can start down the path toward "financial peace." The philosophies coincide so well I really think he needs to see this and endorse it. I just wish I could get a reward for concerting people to YNAB--I am forever singing its praises to my friends, many of whom have bought it!

This is a vital reference function to me. It is taking so much time and energy to try to learn this system that I am giving up for now and heading back to Quicken. I would recommend this to anyone who is serious about starting and sticking to a budget! We started using this software as a New Year's resolution.




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