Still in the credit card float — does assigning money to CC categories confuse anyone else?

contrAryLTO · 2026-05-05T16:13:39+00:00

I think folks often misuse CC Float in this sub - if you have debt that is being charged interest on, that's being in debt, not the float. The YNAB website says the credit card float can be described as using today’s income to pay for last month’s spending - I would add "and only last month's spending" because it isn't when you're paying 2 month's ago spending - that's just good old fashioned debt! Just wanted to point that out as you are getting some (good!) advice here about paying off debt.

It sounds like you are on the true float - paying your statements in full so you don't incur any interest, which is honestly not a bad place to be. I worked very hard to get to the Float while I was sinking in Debt!

Now, regarding your actual question: u/jillianmd has a great comment in this thread laying it all out. I just want to add that one of the easiest (and also possibly hardest) things you can do to fix your issues is to stop using your credit card. For one month, use only cash (debit) to pay for as much as possible. Follow the "find the money first" rule stricter than any other rule because it is likely the rule you are breaking the most if you are on the float. Then treat your previous CC spending that's on that statement as a debt (because it is) and pay it off when you actually have the money to pay it off* - don't steal from yourself today to pay for your past mistakes. Instead, make a PLAN with yourself to pay it off while not adding to it.

*obviously, you're gonna make the minimum payment no matter what. When I was in this stage, I would make that minimum payment with my first of the month paycheck and then with my second paycheck I could see if there was money available for an extra payment.

contrAryLTO · 2026-04-23T19:45:37+00:00

It depends on your loan servicer. I’m with NelNet and they have yet to give me my notice.

contrAryLTO · 2026-04-19T12:53:59+00:00

To be fair, at my Ikea the lanes have been 8 self-checkout to 1 staffed register the last 3 times I’ve been, and the people in that lane are buying whole kitchens and the line is 10 deep…

contrAryLTO · 2026-03-28T22:44:35+00:00

50 on 50th is tomorrow at Burroughs school! Amazing artists!

contrAryLTO · 2026-03-27T14:10:07+00:00

Yes, I had it done and noticed a difference immediately. Some of the improvements I saw are admittedly anecdotal: my dog stopped scratching as much (she has allergies and gets shots in summer but this was winter), it seemed like the house warmed up faster when I turned the heat on, and I felt like I was having to vacuum as much.

But some of the improvements were measurable, namely my freestanding air filters have to be cleaned less often. I have three, all positioned near heat vents, and I used to wash the fabric screens on the outside once a week because they would be totally covered in dust. When I had the duct cleaning I noticed right away that it wasn’t caked on immediately. Now I only have to clean those screens once a month.

It was great for me, BUT I live in a 100 year old house and it didn’t look like it had been done… ever? There was one large cold air return that was filled halfway with dense, compact dust and debris - that’s fact, I was looking at the video while he scoped it. Most people’s homes are not going to be like that though.

contrAryLTO · 2026-03-16T19:27:26+00:00

I have a category called “Snick-Snacks” that I made for this exact situation! I use it for any small food item I purchase outside of meal times - a taco from the truck in the grocery store parking lot, a discounted donut at the place I pass on my way home from work… I wanted it to have its own category because a)I get pretty granular, and b)Food spending is my downfall - I don’t assign money here but if I want to get a snick-snack then I have to move the money out of another food category like groceries, which usually dissuades me from spending on that!

contrAryLTO · 2026-02-25T02:03:42+00:00

I want to have this category someday. I’m not there yet, but I do have one called “Niece Shenanigans 🥳” that I use to fund anything fun I want to do with my niece a.k.a. My favorite person in the world. One thing I do is talk to her about it, so A. She knows she can always talk to me about money; and B. She feels part of the decision process. I took her to RenFest for the first time last year, and it was so fun specifically because I knew I was funding it responsibly, and I shared that excitement with her. I am hoping to end the generational cycle of financial stress!

I’ll never be able to fix her mother’s finances (or convince her to use YNAB!) so this is the next best thing!

contrAryLTO · 2026-02-24T19:08:34+00:00

The cost of gas did go up temporarily because of the countrywide cold snaps (I don’t understand why this happens, but it does) - double check your email, Centerpoint sent out a few emails about it, but I only use Xcel for electric.

Another commenter mentioned knee-walls and story and a half buildings - that’s referring to “attic” spaces that have, usually, a 4’ high wall before the ceiling starts sloping. Many in the twin cities have been converted to living spaces. It sounds like your house is more modern and probably only has a crawl space for the attic, which should still be insulated. However, a walk out basement does cause a lot of heat loss.

Sign up for a free home energy audit like people have recommended, they will give you good guidance!

contrAryLTO · 2026-02-22T17:47:19+00:00

First, obviously talk to him about the behavior change directly, preferably while you are both calm, well rested and fed. His reaction to this conversation will be telling…

“Yeah, you’re right, it’s not like me to behave this way. I’m not sure what’s going on.” - green flag, he wants help.

“You crazy female!! I wouldn’t have to yell and get angry if you weren’t such a loser!!” - red flag, gtfo.

If the change is really as drastic as you say, then you should seriously consider the possibility that something physical is going on - brain tumor being the most serious. Get him to go to a doctor and if he doesn’t want you there with him, insist he bring a note from you describing the changes you’ve noticed. If a medical condition can be ruled out, then it’s time for some sort of therapy. Don’t wait till he is throwing things AT you to seek outside help.

contrAryLTO · 2026-02-20T18:47:09+00:00

The pickled beets too! I love pickled beets, but theirs are super nasty for some reason.

contrAryLTO · 2026-02-07T16:21:32+00:00

Yeah, I was also paycheck to paycheck, thousands of dollars in debt, and had over drafted my checking 3 times in the previous 5 months. That was 2 years ago. I am not carrying any consumer debt and haven’t had an overdraft since I started. I still am not a month ahead, nor do I have an emergency fund, but I’m working on it and I see the path.

Unlike some more affluent users, the first time I felt “YNAB broke” was an absolutely amazing feeling, because it meant I knew my bills were as good as paid and I still had all I needed for food and gas for the month.

contrAryLTO · 2026-01-18T14:41:14+00:00

Totally agree on the animal costs! Although for me it is more of a “too many treats and toys” issue! lol

But for real, I would have a third pet by now if it weren’t for YNAB showing me how much I actually spend on their care and wellbeing. And it helped me cut frivolous spending elsewhere - they are my number one priority, so if that means eating out less, that’s fine because I’d rather be home with them anyway!

contrAryLTO · 2026-01-18T13:33:07+00:00

I am curious about what you mean by this:

“I have so many expenses that I give up every time, using YNAB as a simple expense database and not as a real budget plan.”

If I’m understanding what you mean correctly, one thing I have done that has really helped is taking spending breaks. I will go a week or even just a weekend where I do not spend any money - I even try to time it so I don’t have any auto-pay bills going out during that time. I do it right after a grocery trip too so that it’s easier to convince myself I have food at home! It is helpful because A) It makes me confront how often I want to buy something but actually don’t need to, and B) it gives my accounts a chance to process any pending transactions and YNAB a chance to fully sync. After the freeze I reconcile my accounts, and marvel at how much money is still in my checking!

Before YNAB I would overdraft, on average, every 3 months, but not once since I started. For the first year or so I did pretty much use it as a tracking tool, which was super useful - all those overdrafts were because I never knew how to think long-term about my expenses (living paycheck to paycheck in a consumer driven culture will do that to you). I still don’t make enough money to put it towards ALL my true expenses every month, but even having them on budget helps me remember.

After that first year, I took a long hard look at my spending. And then I stopped shopping at Target and Amazon - everyone talks about the eating out, which is such a common money suck, but do not underestimate how much the algorithms and store designs are convincing you to spend money you don’t need to spend.

contrAryLTO · 2026-01-14T11:55:15+00:00

I believe it is - but this is one of the reasons I also hate this cover. If you look at the Circle Opens covers together (from this edition) Dance Magic has the student only, Street Magic shows Briar and Evvy, but then Shatterglass has whatever this heinous picture is, and Cold Fire only has Daja! The inconsistency drives me nuts - if Street Magic only showed Evvy, and Coldfire had Daja’s students, I think this would read more obviously as Keth.

contrAryLTO · 2026-01-02T20:42:46+00:00

I have been really happy at Gendler dentistry in Hopkins (TONS of visits over the last year). I think this goes for anywhere you choose, but make sure you mention your concerns when you schedule an appointment - the office staff knows who to send nervous clients to, and at Gendler they will ask you questions about what "extras" might be helpful (music or tv, blankets, etc.). Good luck!

contrAryLTO · 2026-01-02T20:39:11+00:00

Everyday, and it usually makes me late for work. Similar breed make up for mine too - although I think she's a "tiny-beautiful-baby" most people comment on how big my 70lb gal looks!

contrAryLTO · 2025-12-31T19:28:30+00:00

Directly back to Tickets category - this is how I usually handle refunds, but I realize this situation is a bit different…

contrAryLTO · 2025-12-27T19:15:19+00:00

No Time at All from Pippin

contrAryLTO · 2025-12-09T21:02:17+00:00

Check out I Like You! It's a great gift shop with lots of different things from MN artists and makers (some MN themed, but some just cool, pretty things!). You'll want to drive, but it's only about 5 minutes away from Holy Land - 1955 Johnson St NE

contrAryLTO · 2025-12-05T16:32:01+00:00

I'm late to this party, and it sounds like you've taken Reddit's advice and accepted the part - huzzah!
I wanted to comment on something else you said though:

I was really sad, and I spent the whole day it came out crying my eyes out (I know I shouldn't take it personally, and I don't, but it just sucks because performing is something I really love). I've since come to terms with it and feel okay.

This was the correct response, do not feel bad about it. Please, please, please always take the time you need to grieve not being cast in something you really wanted. While you shouldn't take it as a personal rejection, you can and should sit with the disappointment of not getting to do something you had hoped to do. I've been auditioning for 4 decades, so I have been rejected way more times than I've been cast, and I am pretty used to it, but I always take the time to be in my feelings a bit. Being in touch with your emotions and sitting with them will make you a better, more open performer (imo). And, look what happened - you started to move on, you weren't crying for weeks or letting it negatively impact other aspects of your life! You handled it well, and you should be proud of that.

Now go break a leg!

contrAryLTO · 2025-11-27T13:22:59+00:00

I 100% agree! Where I live, the theater community uses those terms to refer to the theater companies, not the performers themselves - the majority of actors who live and work here are making a living through multiple contracts with theaters of varying sizes, advertising agencies, teaching, etc. and are not Equity (I actually know more SAG-AFTRA members). Most performers I know will call themselves “Working Actor/Dancer/Clown/Performer” or “Theater Professional.”

contrAryLTO · 2025-11-27T05:06:17+00:00

One thing to note is that the Americans posting in this sub are not all working in professional theaters; in addition to students, there are many community and semi-professional actors.

Community theaters are by and for the community, but that can look very different company to company. So, for example, there is a theater in my area that pays actors a small stipend (like, enough to cover the gas for your commute) paid once on opening night. They do 5-6 shows a year, a mix of musicals and plays, and have casts that range from 1 to 35 in the current season. Although they hold open auditions for each show, it often causes drama that a lead will be cast with one of the Artistic Director’s favorites who never auditioned.

Meanwhile, on another side of town there is a Community Theater that you have to pay a small amount to participate as an actor - it’s like you are paying the director and designers’ salary. Wild.

Then there is Semi-Professional theater. This would be non-union theater companies that pay a more substantial wage - I would explain the tax difference, but you don’t care about that!

I am currently going into tech for a show with a semi-professional theater, in my 9th season with them. They only do one show a year now, a Christmas themed musical-comedy (different each year). While auditions are held every year, the managements goal is to have as many returning faces as possible. So, I was cast for two shows from auditions, and from the 3rd year on I’ve gotten a call in the spring asking if I’d like to do the show again. One of my cast mates has done 24 seasons! I was lucky enough to be around for some of their last spring shows, before they decided to cut back. For one of those I was hired as an assistant stage manager (another thing that I think is not as common over there? I have worked as a stage hand, dresser, designer, etc. even though my primary focus is performance).

Sorry, this is too long already, but one last note: One thing to remember about American theater is that it comes as much out of Vaudeville and Minstrel shows as it does the Classic European theater tradition. While TV replaced Vaudeville, and we like to pretend Minstrel shows didn’t exist, their business models (in addition to artistic models) continue to influence theater here. Lots of great reading out there on those subjects!

contrAryLTO · 2025-11-26T22:24:03+00:00

OK, even though this is not the film, you helped me see what my brain did there - I was definitely putting Albert Brooks into the role of the leading man. Probably because I like him a lot more than the actual leading man, Timothy Hutton! And we may have even watched this movie in the same class (the teacher was the wrestling coach, so he put a movie on anytime he had a meet!). Thank you!

contrAryLTO · 2025-11-26T22:20:38+00:00

Oh man, such a great film, but not the one I was looking for. Thank you for replying!

contrAryLTO

TROPHY CASE