YNAB anyone?

SpecialBrew_2

I started using the trial version as soon as I began to tackle my debt, and it showed me such control over my money that I'd saved enough by using it to pay for the full version when the trial ran out. It's justified it's own purchase several times over since then, and I can't recommend it highly enough.

It may not turn out to be for you, but you have nothing to lose by using the trial and persevering with it for the duration. It can be tricky to get to grips with, but there are lots of videos on the site that explain the process, free live webinar classes where you can ask the instructors questions in real time (and are automatically entered into a draw to win a copy of the software), and there are tons of helpful people on the YNAB forums too. Good luck

runforlife

If you are a student you can now get it for free. Includes the UK.

http://www.youneedabudget.com/blog/2014/ynab-is-now-free-for-college-students/

Ooops...sorry, just noticed post 10

nellis10

I'm definitely a convert to YNAB even though I've only been using it for less than a week!

I've added in all my accounts, and even my coin jar!! I've still got my old spreadsheet as a comfort blanket for the first month, and I am still keeping my calculator beside me as I can't believe how well it shows "in theory" how much money I am saving...in other words, how much money I spent on cr*p previously when I was oblivious to what I was spending...still within my means, but frittering away any cash I had!

For the last three weeks using a budgeting system - spreadsheet and YNAB, and so far I have come in under budget each week just by virtue of having a budget!

YNAB is a great tool, but it's a tool, and as long as you are using it correctly and with a budget/plan, it will see you in good stead!

For me the important thing is that I am now budgeting for pretty much anything I can think of. What I have left over goes into a "overpay" category and that is what I can budget to throw at my loans!