My journey with money
I first discovered You Need A Budget (YNAB) 4 years ago when an eating-disorder-therapist-friend-of-mine started telling me about how wonderful it is. I asked her if using an app to monitor her finances felt similar to tracking or counting calories. She assured me that there was nothing about YNAB that felt similar to being on a diet. 🎉
This piqued my interest because, at the time, I didn’t have the greatest relationship with money.
I wasn’t making much of it and had no system in place for helping me determine how to spend it (because I thought that would feel like a diet) so I ended up living paycheck to paycheck.
I had no method or intention behind my spending which often led to feeling guilty or like I spent money on the "wrong" things.
I did some research on YNAB and decided to give it a try. I was hooked from day 1.
Every part of me resonates with YNAB, its method, and the language they use, and my relationship with money began to shift immediately.
What is YNAB?
YNAB, or You Need A Budget, is both a method for managing money and a software tool that helps you implement that method.
At its core, YNAB is based on four simple rules that can transform how you handle your finances. You don’t even need to use the YNAB software to benefit from these principles—if you already have a system you like, you can still apply the YNAB method to it.
Let’s break down these rules and help you shift your money mindset.
The Four Rules of the YNAB Method
Rule 1 - Give every dollar a job
You might be familiar with the envelope method, where you allocate cash into different envelopes for specific spending categories like rent, groceries, and fun money.
The envelopes serve as a way to organize your money, be intentional with your spending, and visually see how much you have left for different categories.
YNAB is the digital version of this method…with extra bells and whistles (A LOT of bells and whistles)!
This first rule - give every dollar a job - means that every time you receive money, you assign each dollar a specific job before spending it. This intentionality helps you take charge of your finances rather than feeling like they control you.
Rule 2 - Embrace your true expenses
We often budget for the obvious things—rent, groceries, bills—but what about those less frequent, yet predictable expenses? YNAB calls these "true expenses." Think car repairs, holiday gifts, annual subscriptions, or vet bills.
👉 True expenses are predictable expenses that come infrequently.
YNAB encourages you to prepare for these “true expenses” by setting aside money each month. That way when a flat tire strikes, you’ve already got a little nest egg waiting, reducing stress and the temptation to dip into debt.
Basically, YNAB encourages you to treat all bills & expenses like monthly bills.
Rule 3 - Roll with the punches
This rule is all about being flexible with your budget (yay for NOT feeling like a diet!!!)
Your budget is a living, breathing reflection of your life and your values.
It’s okay—and smart—to revise it as needed. Priorities and circumstances change, and your budget should adapt to them.
Rule 4 - Age your money
This rule is about breaking the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle.
With YNAB, the goal is to gradually increase the time between when you receive money and when you spend it.
Rather than getting a paycheck and needing all of that money immediately for this month’s bills, you strive to get a month ahead so this month’s paycheck is funding next month’s expenses. This creates a cushion that reduces financial stress and helps you stay out of debt.
This rule is less about something you “do” and more about a result you create and strive for when using the YNAB method.
Here's a snapshot of a demo budget in YNAB.
How does this compare to previous budgeting apps you've used?
As you can see, there is much to love about YNAB.
To say my life has been changed by YNAB's method and software is an honest and accurate statement.
If you're interested in exploring how YNAB could support you YNAB offers a free trial and tons of free resources on its website. This might be a great starting place for you.
Many have said that YNAB has a steep learning curve which is why YNAB created its Coach Certification program.
This certification program, which I completed in 2022, equips me to provide 1:1 coaching to support you on your journey with YNAB. If your brain works best with individual attention and accountability, my coaching may be a great fit for you.
Whether you use the software or not, I encourage you to turn towards your finances with compassion and understanding. There is no amount of guilt and shame that's going to create a more peaceful and joyful life.
Sending you lots of love on your financial journey! Reach out to me anytime if you want to geek out on YNAB together!
P.S. Do you have ADHD? I do!
I was interviewed on the official YNAB podcast about how YNAB is ADHD-friendly and how it aligns with Intuitive Eating principles!
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