You Need A Budget Pro - Personal Finance Software Program
by You Need A Budget
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Category: Software See more product details and other editions |
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Software Reviews of You Need A Budget Pro - Personal Finance Software Program
Customer Review: A light at the end of the tunnel (and it ain't a train)
Summary: 5 Stars
Do you live paycheck to paycheck? Are you always playing roulette with you bills hoping that your bi-weekly check comes right before your mortgage payment is due? Even if it does and you pay all of your bills do you find yourself with enough money left over for a loaf of bread and some bologna? Uh oh, I need new tires. Where am I going to get the money? Well, THAT'S baloney. I've always been intimidated by budgeting software. I tried Ms Money's version and I threw my hands in the air. I was looking for a replacement for MS Money, since it's about to be dry docked, and then I ran across YNAB. I scratched my chin, looked at all of the 5 star ratings (and some of the 1 stars) and decided I needed to take a closer look. Initially I was going to just take advantage of the demonstration and then decide. Then I began noticing all of the intangibles, like Jesse the author and his hands on approach, and it was these intangibles that made me decide to buy it sight unseen - even though I couldn't afford it. The sad truth is that I couldn't afford NOT to buy it. There are more than ample online tutorials to help you get up and running and a forum where you can ask any question you like and there are plenty of people happy to help you. There is even FREE online training. I stayed up late 4 nights in a row setting up our budget (me 'n the missus). She often had to admonish me to COME TO BED. I became so excited in the knowledge that for the first time in 26 years I was about to take control of my money, instead of letting it control me, that I couldn't sleep. My wife is completely on board with this and is almost as excited as I am. I am looking forward to our first, beginning of the month, budget meeting. We are going to sit down together and decide - together - how we are going to spend our monthly income because we'll be able to see exactly where it is going, how much is going, and how much we'll have left over. If there isn't enough left over we can then decide where we can cut back on certain things so that we will have something left. It is this "something left over" that is going to accumulate over time until I reach Rule #1. However, Rule #1 is but a goal, not the destination. The destination is an even loftier dream - financial freedom. YNAB is the tool that will give you the elbow room to stretch out and enjoy life without the looming spectre of imminent financial collapse. If you are waiting for the upcoming new release you are doing yourself a disservice. Don't wait another day - do it now. You don't need a shinier version to save money. This "old" version works just fine. Customer Review: YNAB Budget Method
Summary: 5 Stars
YNAB is good software. I have used this software for several months and truly enjoy what it has taught me about money and how to prioritize how and what I spend my money on. I'm not going to go into a lot of detail here as if you really want to know more about the software you can just visit the website www.youneedabudget.com. Yeah, I'm making you work just a bit there. Work never hurt anybody. Anyway, I want to give you my opinion not just some random info you could get from the website.
I like this software because it works on Linux. I also like this software because it is very easy to use and comes at a decent price. The software is extremely powerful and anyone can use it. It's unique and does a great job at how it does its job. Whether you've been great at budgeting and never had an issues (not likely, but possible) or you are just starting out and have no idea where to begin, this can truly help you get on your feet and stay on your feet. As with anything in life it's work. Hard work. On yourself mostly because the software doesn't just do it for you. It's a guide, a map, a helping hand and a friend. It points out what should be done and what's actually being accomplished. It's up to you to make that work and stay afloat. With the four rules at hand it makes you look at money in a way you probably haven't ever thought to do so.
When I first learned about this software just a year ago or so I actually had already came up with a few of the ideas presented by the software. However, I hadn't thought of them all. You probably will already know a few of the ideas too but not all of them. Give them all a chance and see how much power it really has when they are all there to help you out. It's tough at first but you'll be glad you did. Best of all if you're not ready for the use of a debit card you can always resort to cash. I use cash and just rarely a debit card. I have no credit cards. No matter what you have or use you will be able to use it just fine. I also write a small review about the software and have a link to the site from my own website. I could say more about it and make this long as hell but I won't do that because no one loves to read, read, read on the internet. People just want the info so they can get something out of it and to get going.
Please check out my official website at www.Bluepop13.com. Click on "Miscellaneous" at the top of the home page. There will be a small review the link before that.
Eric
Customer Review: Budget Software That Works
Summary: 5 Stars
I have tried using Money and Quicken in the past and was never able to get my finances in order. Those applications seemed so crammed with features that I never used, and the basic fundamentals of tracking expenses and budgets were really lacking.
YNAB Pro is the first financial software that I have consistently used - for a year now. The software is simple, straight forward, and easy to use. And the YNAB system completely makes sense and has changed the way I handle my finances. Finally budgeting that makes sense, and the software to make it easy.
Customer Review: Ok product
Summary: 4 Stars
Its an ok product. Just as happy with it as I was with Microsoft Money. Its really not much different either. So if your looking for something different look elsewhere, but if not, this is good. Thanks! Customer Review: Best in Class by far. I still want more!
Summary: 4 Stars
Every couple years I see money rolling out of my pockets like a cheap strainer, and get the gumption to budget. Then I search for an ap to do the job. This knee-jerk reaction has led me to Excel, Money, Quicken, and even the old envelope method in the past.
This time I cruised around and stumbled on You Need A Budget (YNAB). Bingo, a 4 step program of disciplined financial accountability with the software to go with.
My journey thus far:
3 months in and I am still pleased, but not overjoyed.
Week 1 - The download went smoothly, and the cost just can't be beat.
- Yet another time I will have to manually load all my categories, but like I always tell myself, this will be the last time. A good tip here I found on the ditto-head blog, er uhum I meant forum (more about this later) was to number the budget categories 100, 200, 300 and so on. This way you get your categories ordered the way you want, and not just mindlessly alpha.
- Hmmm..note to self, must figure out how to download bank info into proper columns.
Present - Week 14
- Still haven't figured out how to overcome a list of irritants...
1. Getting bank downloads to proper columns
2. Prevent carry forward pluses or minuses from month to month (The 4 step approach is draconian in its application in the software) For instance if you underspend in the entertainment category by $100 in June, you will have $100 more to spend in July. Problem is, if $100 is left over in my household in any given month, it goes to pay off debt. Now in July, your budget shows money you don't have...dangerous.
3. The reports are less than stellar, the pie chart wants to show slices from every category and sub-category, rendering it almost useless. Also, the reports don't print???
4. The Support Forum/Blog. When you read the blog, you would think you are at an Amway meeting or something. Everyone chirping in one accord, and knee-jerking newbies to a answered already blog purgatory. My recommendation is to fight the urge to sing along if you have a less than 5 star experience. I did, and was met with some condescension at first, but then got some really good candid feedback, and admissions, namely on the inept report making capabilities of the software.
All in all, I can understand the 5 star reviews. The software, support, and ownership are all seeking to help. Also, there is nothing better on the market...kind of like cell phone service...best in class, does not necessarily mean Nirvana. But for this reviewer, the lack of Nirvana is overcome by the free updates of the software, and support services (ever tried talking to a Microsoft Rep about Money? Customer meet brick wall!). The experience here is more like a family business of people who care about their product, and are looking to improve. Besides a printable report function ;-) What more can you ask for?