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Use our Cost of Living forum to discuss budgeting and energy saving with other users.

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Use our Cost of Living forum to discuss budgeting and energy saving with other users.

Cost of living

You Need a Budget software

46 replies

TheOnlyPink · 31/12/2014 09:10

Is on sale on steam until 1st Jan at 6am! Don't know the price in sterling, but it's €12. Just in case anyone was thinking of getting it but didn't want to pay the full price!

OP posts:

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Living · 02/01/2015 04:00

Sorry Avacado not Tripot. I frequently spend money I don't technically have (so overspend a category budget) so it's really a case of finding out what works for you.

OrangeRhinoInTraining · 02/01/2015 04:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Timetoask · 02/01/2015 06:12

If you cannot afford to pay for this and you know excel just creat a workbook. I do everything described above on my spreadsheets (one workbook per year, each month on separate spreadsheets showing me all expected outgoings, iciest we and cleared balanced that I can reconcile against the bank I even have a totals sheets with pivot tables showing me what I've overspent in. Maybe I dhoukd start selling it!!

tribpot · 02/01/2015 08:24

Rhino - you do still need a laptop.

Timetoask - there are other features of the software, but primarily it's there to support the YNAB method, which sounds very similar to your own.

Living · 02/01/2015 15:46

I'm very strong in excel and I would struggle to create all the functionality. I could do something similar but it would be no way as user friendly. Plus I don't have the app developer ability to do that.

We debated it at the time and decided it was worth the money because the improved functionality made the difference between us keeping up with it or not.

Still at the end of the day it is just a fancy-pants spreadsheet with an app link

tribpot · 02/01/2015 17:21

Yep Living I could definitely do it in Excel but much prefer the app. The method and the mindset are what make the difference to me.

Donthackmenow · 03/01/2015 07:31

I bought this last year but can't get my head round it. I think the big problem for me is needing a PC/laptop. Ours is so old and slow it is painful. I do need to give it another go as we really need to sort our finances out.

DaftStudentNurse · 03/01/2015 08:22

In my opinion, ynab is worth every penny even at full price. I heard about it on here almost 3 years ago and have been using it since. I totally agree with tribpot that it is as much about the method and mindset as it is about the software. One part of which is: give every penny has a job. For me this means that I know I can afford things rather than thinking 'fuck it, I will have it'and then feeling guilty. It also moves big cost items from dreams to reality. By allocating money to categories and budgeting to zero, you can clearly see what you can and can't afford. By putting a little away each month for the yearly stuff it makes no difference that we are at the beginning of January right now. I feel.no.richer or poorer than the rest of the year. 2 dc due to go on residential trips in spring 2016, I have been putting away for it for the last 5 months and when the time comes I won't feel it pinch at all. I love ynab and often wonder if the government are aware of how good it is...think it would do them no harm to at least do the months free trial.

Happyhetty · 12/01/2015 20:20

Hi is there an alternative app for the iPad that's as good as YNAB? My laptop is completely dead and until we've paid off debt I can't afford a new one!! Or is there an anticipated release date for iPad?

Donthackmenow · 22/01/2015 20:24

I was going to ask the same question happyhetty!

Lyinginwait888 · 22/01/2015 22:23

Apparently the iPad version is still in development. I'm going to purchase it (the full version)

I tried it last year and didn't get on with it. I was too fussy with it and didn't give it a chance. I'm doing another trial (new laptop) and I LOVE it. I'll end up paying full price for it but I think it'll be worth it. I forced myself to watch classes etc and really LEARN what to do.

Fingers crossed it'll cut down on money fights here too.

TheOnlyPink · 25/01/2015 11:01

I bought the software when it was on sale, but waited until pay day to use it properly. I'm shocked at my previous attitude to money. I knew it was bad, we would live like kings for the first two weeks and then literally scrape by for the last two. And I never really understood how I let it happen every month. I kept saying next month will be better because we won't have x,y,z expense. But of course there is something every month. And seeing how much I have available really makes you think about if it's really wanted because you will have to do without at a later stage.

I really feel like it will help me. If nothing else than just change my mind set.

OP posts:

Lyinginwait888 · 25/01/2015 16:45

Oh yes that's us 'well of course this month has been tricky; the car has been taxed/we had a vet bill/dc had a birthday....'

The software is such an eye opener. I love it already even though it is exposing me as a spendthrift lush

Laska42 · 28/01/2015 21:40

I love it such and it has been a total eyeopener for one who has had head firmly in sand for some time. Luckily I got it on half price black friday offer after my month trial.

I am now a reformed woman, gone from being up to my overdraft of £500 and having a credit card bill of £3000 to knowing exactly how much money i have and what im spending it on - too much it seems still - but also now have no OD and some (a little) savings ! (even given christmas) .. Amazing..
It has also STOPPED me from buying stuff in the sales .. which i would probably have normally.. just because ..

Ive also unsubscribed from all internet shopping except amazon for my kindle books

Tes, A.Reformed.Woman.. (now with a savings and early retirement plan.. Ooh.. get me..)

Do try it.. (id give you my referral code ,where they pay me for referring you.. but thats just so tacky. So i wont... Buy it anyway, its worth it )

They often have offers on Steam. I got mine by googling YNAB offer on t'internet on BF as they did it previously .. its also cheaper for students

Lyinginwait888 · 28/01/2015 21:45

Still here much enjoying the trial here

tribpot · 28/01/2015 21:46

Lying all you need is a category called 'spendthrift lush'. Bish bosh - job done

Lyinginwait888 · 28/01/2015 21:49

Spendthrift lush would have the biggest balance in it though!

tribpot · 28/01/2015 21:57

Give every dollar a job! The problem is, you'd look at all the other categories your 'dollar' could be in and start to question if Spendthrift Lush was the best one. I'd be tempted to name your discretionary fund this - there has to be a small pot of fun money.

Lyinginwait888 · 28/01/2015 21:59

Haha! It's boringly named 'my fun money' and 'his fun money'

Laska42 · 28/01/2015 22:06

I had a category in mine for a while but had to delete it because it got too embarrasing.. Wine is now under 'groceries'

I also had a 'cat stuff ' category , but when i realised just how much the little was eating i sent him back to the cats protection ( just joking,. but we do seem to buy a lot of cat food..)

Lyinginwait888 · 28/01/2015 22:13

Oh we have a dog category!

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