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| You Need A Budget Pro - Personal Finance Software Program | 
 enlarge | From: You Need A Budget
Category: Software
Buy New: $49.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  67 reviews
Sales Rank: 413
Format: Cd-rom
Platforms: Windows Vista, Windows 2000, Windows Xp
Media: CD-ROM
Model: 1.2.6
UPC: 793573437488
ASIN: B000QO76HU
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Simple and Effective May 9, 2008
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
I bought YNAB Pro about 2 weeks ago after being a long-time Quicken user so this review is not based on extensive use of the software at this time. However, I'm not new to financial/budgeting software. I've tried out several. I liked all the bells and whistles of Quicken, but it wasn't working for me as a budgeting tool as it only shows you where you're money went. Quite frankly their budget set-up interface left a lot to be desired, only allowing you to create a general monthly budget.
With YNAB, I was up and running within a few minutes, and after playing with all the features to see what it could do, I was fully loaded with a budget and bank transactions within twenty minutes. It is the most user friendly software I've ever encountered. The YNAB website has comprehensive advice and How-To's in the forums, VIDEO How-To tutorials AND a users manual in PDF format. If that's not enough "Help" you can post a question to forums OR contact the seller via the website.
I have encountered no issues with downloading bank transactions or issues of any other kind. However, if for some reason you're not happy with YNAB there is a 60 day money-back guarantee. ALSO, you will get any future software updates for free. No yearly upgrade fees and YNAB never becomes an obsolete software as so many do. It is a one-time purchase that will last you the rest of your life.
Do not mistake YNAB as a financial tracking system; if that's what you're looking for don't buy it.
YNAB is a hard-core, balls to the wall BUDGETING tool for planning your monthly expenses with the sole purpose of getting a grip on your out of control spending so you can begin saving money and basically build up that nice nest egg; creating financial stability and freedom in your life. This is not for the wishy-washy, faint of heart person who thinks a software application is going to miraculously "fix it". It's for the person who seriously wants to make changes in their spending habits and is willing to work at it. YNAB is the best friend you'll ever have if this is your goal.
The very best feature of this software, in my opinion, is it's ability to be 100% personally customized to your unique budgeting needs. You can add, delete, and rename categories and sub categories as you wish. You do not have to wade through a bunch of pre-determined expense categories to get to the ones that matter to you. Other great features is the bank transaction downloading, transaction scheduler, and the ability to transfer funds from one account to another within the budget. The methodology behind the software is not difficult to understand, but sheer common sense.
Oh, I've never met the software creator or anyone else involved in the YNAB creation. I am a mere consumer who purchased the software and am currently using it.
Stress-Free Budgeting May 8, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I had been a satisfied Quicken user for the last two years, until earlier this year when my Quicken told me to upgrade to 2008 or else they'd turn off my financial downloads. I don't respond to coercion very well, so I said "f*** this" and started looking at alternatives. I first came across mentions of You Need A Budget on Quicken 2008 reviews as an alternative. Googled reviews for it and found some rave reviews from personal finance bloggers (just google "You Need A Budget review"), so I became intrigued and tried it out.
This software is helpful for getting out of debt, saving money, and stop living paycheck to paycheck, though I didn't need help with any of those things. The only debt I have is a student loan with about $8000 left at less than 2% interest. I have savings about twice that, and I live well within my means. However, I wanted to get back in touch with my budgeting because I mainly do it in my head, and it can get stressful because I "budgeted" by limiting my expenses at all times. I was more in touch when I used to budget in Excel, and got lazy when I started using Quicken.
What really excites me about YNAB is the ability to plan for future expenses by budgeting them for them NOW - e.g. set aside $100 a month for your semi-annual car insurance premiums, or for an upcoming vacation. Basically you can save up money for a future expense, or just increase your savings. When I saw this section in the video tutorials on the YNAB website, I was sold on the spot -- this meant that I no longer have to keep such things in my head or cringe at my credit card bill when a big expense was due. Yes, you could build an excel spreadsheet to do the same thing, but this program just makes things more convenient. When I started using YNAB, it was such a relief because it took my budget out of my head and down "on paper", so I no longer have to think about it! Of course, if you're trying to discipline yourself and get out of debt, you're not likely to have that same experience.
I find that I still like to keep all my financial accounts in one place and updated. I use Yodlee (yodlee.com) for this purpose. YNAB does keep a register of all your accounts and balances, but it doesn't show your net worth. Yodlee does for free everything I did with Quicken, which was keep all the account balances in one place and tell me how much money I spent.
**A helpful note for those who want to try YNAB - don't try to import several years' worth of financial data into YNAB. You could, but it's tedious and pointless. YNAB has a different philosophy from mainstream personal finance software, and it's not about tracking what you spent and when - it's about planning for future expenses. Read some of the creator's blog on the product website, which will explain more. You will have more fun with the program once you get over trying to use it like a mainstream product.
Over a year now April 23, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I bought YNAB over a year ago. With other budgeting software, I would go gung ho for about 2 months and either get bored or get overwhelmed. I LOVE YNAB! Our family finances are in much better shape, even with a bunch of unexpected hospital bills. I love being able to budget for Christmas and life insurance through the year, so when those former budget busters show up, I've got the money sitting there. I highly recommend this product!!!! I also recommend you read through the company website to get a better idea of the way it's set up-- you can also look through the forums or ask a question there if you get stuck.
 Are the reviews stage co. marketing April 20, 2008
11 out of 30 found this review helpful
The text and info provided in a number of the reviews read like insider information with an objective of selling the product. we need reviews from objective everyday customers.
 YNAB Pro Rocks April 18, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
Not combersum at all, way easier to use than any of the other commercial packages to use. There is some really good stuff, to learn and to use within this software package.It can change your life, the best money that I have spent online ever.
Go on what are you waiting for, look at the price. Worth it for a bit of financial freedom?
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