My YNAB Story

Fifteen years ago, I started using YNAB, back when my fiancé and I had just moved in together and were figuring out how to manage our shared expenses. I can’t recall why I picked YNAB—it might have been an ad or a friend's recommendation—but I was willing to give it a shot. I remember sitting at my desk, trying to make a habit of checking my bank account and categorizing every transaction. It felt weird, like I was suddenly an accountant, but I knew I had to get a grip on our spending.

However, consistency isn't exactly my strong suit. I've been through more YNAB fresh starts than I can count. I'd be on top of it for a while, then completely forget about budgeting and just trust that our checking account had enough to cover everything. But deep down, I knew I needed a better system. I couldn't shake this feeling that I had to be more deliberate with our money.

YNAB has this concept of giving every dollar a job, which sounds great in theory, but it took me a long time to really understand it. You take whatever money you have and decide exactly where it should go. That way, when you spend, it's already planned for. No more guessing or wondering if you have enough to cover your expenses.

And I'll be honest—adopting that mindset wasn't easy for someone like me. There were times when I'd just wing it, hoping for the best, but still feeling this low-level anxiety that I was going to mess something up. Eventually, something clicked, and I started using YNAB very consistently. It's a part of my daily habit now.

The best example of how this new system has helped us is this past summer's vacation. We planned for it, set money aside in advance, and when we got there, we could just enjoy ourselves without worrying about going into debt. It felt so freeing to swipe our credit card for a spontaneous lunch or museum ticket, knowing the money was already there, thanks to YNAB.

One of the biggest benefits of YNAB is that it allows me to roll with the punches. If an unexpected expense pops up—like a car repair or a vet bill—I know I've got money already earmarked for that. If something truly surprising happens (these moments are few and far between after you've used YNAB for a while), I can move money from other categories and not worry about going into debt. And I don't panic about it.

I also have a better sense of what our essential expenses are and where we can cut back if needed. If our income dropped to zero tomorrow, I'd know exactly what to do to stretch our funds as much as possible. It's not just about emergencies, though. YNAB helps with the everyday stuff, too. I can be out shopping, and if I see something I like, I can quickly check if there's money for it without worrying that I'm messing up our budget. When something new comes up that we want to save for, I create a new category, set a target, and start putting money into it a little at a time.

I'm already setting aside money for the holidays, for the summer trip to CA to see my dad, for my Amazon Prime renewal, and my husband's professional development fees. When the time comes to pay for those things, the money will be there. And while it's taken time, we're a month ahead with our budget. This means the money we earn today doesn't have to cover this month's expenses—it can go toward next month. This gives us breathing room, and I can't tell you how good that feels. I don't feel overwhelmed by money anymore. There's no fear, no confusion. Money has become very neutral, dare I say peaceful?

When money comes in, I know exactly where it should go, and I put it there. I check my YNAB, not my bank account, to decide how much I can spend and where. It hasn't been easy getting to this point. Old habits are hard to break and new ones difficult to adopt. I'm not saying there won't be moments of uncertainty or tough decisions to make, but it's possible to reach a place where money doesn't control you. YNAB has given me that clarity—that neutrality and control—and I hope it can do the same for you.