can't afford ynab - what do you use?

[poocatcherchampion]

I have a spreadsheet system at the moment, but I am losing track of the day to day spending.

We have no debt bar mortgage so can't justify spending $60 on it. I've looked at a few apps but can't seem to find a perfect one that works on both phone/tablet and through the web. The latter is important as otherwiseit is not backed up.

Does anyone have a suggestion?

[Lyinginwait888]

Hmm well I fought it for while with my own spreadsheet but no way was it as functionally sound as Ynab. Especially as I use it with my phone.

Honestly I think it's money well spent (although I appreciate that's not what you asked!)

Have you done the free trial?

[Laska42]

I think YNAB is money well spent also.. It has really focused me on my day to day spending ( i even now track small cash spends on it ), and since i got it at beginning of November 2014 have paid off my £3000 credit card and have saved over £700 ..

It becomes a bit addictive.. but really it focussed me on where and on what I was spending, and ive cut out a lot of frittering i just wasnt taking into account .

Also , (for the first time in my life ) I have stopped my 'head in the sand' attitude to my bank acct and OD.. OK so im fairly lucky in that i get a reasonable wage each month and never got into really big debt , but before YNAB I always had an overdraft and was always buying a load of rubbish i didnt really need.. (its cured me of indescriminate internet shopping and of keeping buying recomendations from the Style and Beauty board also !!)

I did get mine on a half price 'black friday' offer , but still reckon its worth the $60... ( its also on Steam £29.99.. same price)

[JimmyCorkhill]

Real cash and envelopes. We draw out the cash for the month so all that's left in the account is for direct debits. I split the cash into weekly envelopes and write on each envelope what it must cover eg. £6.25 for swimming/£4 gym session/£5 window cleaner... Very old school but works for us.

[BadPoet]

I use Goodbudget, the free version. goodbudget.com/signup

I don't use the full functionality - our actual budget is on a spreadsheet and I use this to track spending within budgeted categories. It syncs with both our phones and website. Have used it this way for nearly a year, no problems.

[m0therofdragons]

When we were being really careful I used to take cash out fortnightly. Once cash was gone there was no more money.
In the long term, now we have 2 current accounts. One has all direct debits going from it so I know how much they will be and ensure the right amount is in there plus £20 buffer money so there's always something in it. Other account is for petrol, food and extras. works for us. App sounds good but I could never justify paying for it.

[Binglet]

I use an app called "spending tracker". The icon is a little brown wallet. It's free on all store. Used it for a while and it does the job. Can add different accountd and split spending into categories. I love it.

[serin]

I bank with an internet bank and check my balance daily.

All our direct debits are listed so we know what is still to come out.

Works for us.

[LadyDeadpool]

Simplebudget it's pretty much the same as YNAB but free. Unlimited "envelopes" too.

[chanie44]

Cash and envelopes here too. I take out money when I get paid and put it in envelopes.

I take out the money when I get paid and assign it to envelopes which I put in a tin. OH borrowed some money from one envelope yesterday without telling me and I had a hissy fit as he was messing with my system.

I give myself weekly money for odds and sods like milk for work or home and other small spends. Once it's gone, it's gone, but I do try to save what I can. Plus, if I do spend it, I only have to wait a few more days until I get some more money.

[Oodbrain]

I do lots of bank accounts for different things and check daily/move money from my phone.

[merovingian]

Hey poocatcher (love your username!!!!)

Yeah, YNAB is pricey but I really honestly can't praise it enough for helping clarify our financial situation. When I look in the 'Reports' tab it shows our 'net worth' and since starting using the app our NW has slowly but steadily risen. It's often on sale at places like Steam (in the Steam Winter sale YNAB was about 50% off I think!), or you can always google for official 10% off codes (so you get it for $54, I think I used this one).

I've not heard of SimpleBudget, the free alternative, will have a look. But I think if you can find the £30-ish that YNAB costs, you'll easily get the value back in savings in just a few months.

[merovingian]

Whoops, I;m not very good at linking! The place I found a discount this one. Doh!

[AndWhenYouGetThere]

I use moneydashboard.

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

I use the Account Tracker app on my iPhone- it was
99p or thereabouts and has completely changed the way I spend and view money. I enter everything I earn and spend and it keeps track for me. Well worth the money.

[ThereisnoFinWay]

Would something like these trackers work when you have a bills account and a personal spending account? I want to keep track of both but also keep them separate?

I've seen YNAB recommended on here before so downloaded the app to have a look but it wants to link to my Dropbox account - I don't even know what Dropbox is let alone have an account!

[Lyinginwait888]

YNAB sets up drop box for you. You have to have laptop/pc. The app supports the software.

[wohmum]

In also use account tracker - coming up tom4 years now and track multiple current , saving accounts and credit cards.
Works really well for me

[Oscary1]

Honestly YNAB will pay for itself. After years of using similar software and spreadsheets, I have just got to grips with my finances since starting to use it. Since I started using it, Ive never been overdrawn and my net worth has increased consistently.
Money well spent!