Our Budget

So we have been using our budget for almost a month now. Not so long, I know, but hey you gotta start somewhere right??? Truth be told this is really our second budget. We tried using one on mint and while there is a lot I like about mint (automatically records non cash transactions, all accounts are linked over the internet, etc.) I don't like it as our budget. We do still use it to basically see our accounts in one place.

We are trying out the YNAB software which I like a lot. Now it is a lot like a spread sheet. You manually record your transactions, which I like. I like it because you know what's in your account, and you are aware on what you are spending. Its just a much more intimate way to budget. YNAB also has a mobile  app so you can record your purchases as you go. My favorite part is it links your account on the cloud so I can record something at the store and the hubs can see that transaction right then so we are all on the same page! Its been working out pretty great!

YNAB isn't just software they also have their own philosophy and their own set of rules, but their website talks all about that.

Back in the day I hated the idea of budgets. Not too sure why. My guess is I felt bad for spending all our money that the hubs worked so hard to make for us,(Stupid I know.) or  i wanted some freedom in my spending without being accountable for it, or maybe I didn't want to spend time keeping track of what I was spending. All I know was I didn't want a budget.

After buying our house I didn't like looking at our checking account. I missed what it was. As soon as I felt like we were getting close to building it up, we'd have an expensive month and there it all went. Finally the hubs and I agreed, it was time to hold ourselves accountable. The hubs is also ready to start investing for our retirement and the sooner we start the better, but we need to free up cash first.

So now we have our budget and I love it! The things that turned me off to budgeting  before seem silly now. Now I know the money the hubs makes is ours and its my job to get the things we need. That being said I can also make sure I make that money last as long as we can. I have freedom to spend whatever I want. I just have to plan ahead for it, which is great because if I am willing to wait for it, then I know its worth it. If I have to have something and can't wait, we have money budgeted for that as well, just not a ton. And with YNAB it doesn't take much time at all! We talk about our budget twice a month or so discussing money and our budgeting categories, then with the app I record it all right away which takes two seconds literally!

So far so good and I am pleased to say we are pretty on track for this month and its been fun and exciting! Wish us luck!

Enjoy!