YNAB?

I know Catherine uses YNAB, and others have mentioned it as well. If you're a user, what do you like about it? I am deciding if I should buy it or not. Thanks!

You know there's a trial version that can be downloaded? I'm down with getting comments from real uses, but it's not like you need to gamble the price of the software to try it.

We're going to do the free trial when we get to the US (we leave in two days!). But, i've done some courses already, and so far I like it. My friends in Australia have been doing it for about a year and have really turned their finances around to the awesome. They weren't bad to begin with, but now they are rocking it out! So, i'm quite convinced by their excitement.

Never heard of this Kelli, can you explain it to me...thanks!

I have the trial, but still struggling to get it, so thought I'd see . . . maybe I'll try in the MMM forums too, that's where I first heard of it.

http://www.youneedabudget.com/

Thanks Kelli for posting the link, I looked over the site briefly but it doesn't look like they have an application for the pad...

Tussie, a version is available through the Apple App Store though they state clearly that it is a companion app and you need to have a desktop version of YNAB.

Thanks Steve for letting me know. The very basics on the website sound very good, I just need to look into it further...

I spent quite a bit of time tonight with the videos on their website. I understand the program better now, but am still not quite sure if I want to spend the $$ on it. I think what I'm hung up on is that it doesn't track your account balances like the program I'm using could. I say could because I don't even have it configured correctly to do so! So in that case, what do I care if I switch?!

Leaning toward making the switch even though I'm not quite sure, and giving it a few months to try it out. I have a few days before the trial is up.

One thing that is appealing is the goal-setting. I also think it would help me keep the rental business $$ separate from our personal $$ in my mind. We do an OK job of that now, but there is a bit of crossover. I think we have it all cleaned up now so it is totally separated. Zoebird mentioned using YNAB for small business planning several months ago and that's what really prompted me to take a look at it. I can totally see the promise now that I watched a few of the overview videos.

YMOYL has worked well for me for many years, but I feel like it might be time to try something fresh. I will never ever forget the lessons I learned from YMOYL, but it's not motivating us anymore. I'm thinking ultimately we might need a combo platter. For example, I looooove my wall chart (even though I don't maintain it like I should :|( ).

Fidgie, how about Dave Ramsey's zero based budget? There are free how-tos and forms on his website and it's really just paper and pencil, or spreadsheet, if that's what you prefer.