I told you in a previous post I have been procrastinating setting up YNAB. And yes that is still true. It is a bit overwhelming with various credit cards and checking accounts to keep track of. I expect this alone may help me get some more cards cancelled and consolidate a few accounts.
I'm determined to get something entered on YNAB this week. I have a 'real life' friend who uses it and was asking me how it was going. I know she will ask again about it later in the week, so that is going to be my motivation.
I'm going to start by entering our disposable income each paycheck. This is $X amount that I set aside each paycheck after all fixed expenses are accounted for, such as rent, allowances. So those fixed items are going to stay off the budget for now. What I really want to know and be aware of is where is the $X going. I know it goes to things like groceries, dry cleaning, gas, postage, haircuts, entertainment, eating out, coffee, alcohol, toiletries and cleaners, and school fees.
My plan is to get back to you by Friday with another YNAB progress update. Oh, and yes, I realize this isn't exactly how YNAB is intended to work, but I need to start slow and simple just to get myself started!! Otherwise, I'm going to procrastinate. And yes, I'm still on the free trial. No money spent yet. If I don't get fully on board with YNAB by the end of this month, I'm not buying the subscription. 
YNAB Update
September 8th, 2015 at 05:02 pm
September 8th, 2015 at 05:59 pm 1441735173
You won't know if it works for you until you try it out. So...suck it up and just do it!
September 8th, 2015 at 06:21 pm 1441736505
September 8th, 2015 at 06:49 pm 1441738156
YNAB always looked interesting, but I could never seem to figure out how to get from living current paycheck to paycheck to living on this paycheck next month. Looking forward to your frank assessment after you delve more into it.
September 8th, 2015 at 06:54 pm 1441738488
You are not changing yet. You are exploring a new method, one that seems to have benefitted a lot of people. Algebra was new at some point when you were in school, and that's probably turned out to be useful occasionally.
Do you have something like an officers' wives auxiliary at your husband's current assignment? Could you learn how to use this with the idea that you would teach and mentor some of the families that could really benefit from some basic budgeting skills? Imagine the family stress that would disappear if you could teach some of the younger families how to live on last month's pay.
September 9th, 2015 at 12:20 am 1441758029
I understand why you are easing into it, however, do you think you are getting a true picture of how it works by just easing into it? If by the end of your trial you're still not sure, you may be able to get your trial extended. YNAB's customer service is amazing.
Oh ... also ... college students get a free copy of YNAB (just have to take a picture of id.) Just an FYI.
September 9th, 2015 at 01:00 am 1441760408
And when I say 'try' I mean yes, I will input the numbers (tomorrow is the plan) and I will try it out, as in use the trial subscription.
Thanks for the tip, Laura!
September 9th, 2015 at 01:16 am 1441761386
There are people from all sorts of situations which use it, and get a great deal from using it. People in debt to people who have a lot in savings, etc.
Maybe ask yourself what is stopping you from actually using it fully?
(Believe me, my finger is pointing right back at me ... I need to be asking myself similar questions about another topic ...)