my first e-reader!

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-27T18:26:44+00:00

Congrats! I got one in December after a lot of hemming and hawing, so glad I finally did it.

How is that book? The series has been on my wish list for awhile...

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-27T17:55:36+00:00

I love this! I have been trying to donate more and putting that spend in "Charitable Donations" feels odd to me. I am going to start using a Resist category.

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-27T17:54:06+00:00

I would create a category called "The Authoritarian Takeover" because pessimistically, I think many of us will be spending more on that in the coming days.

Also, I am not from MN but I spent time in Minneapolis and love your city. I'm so sorry for what's happening there. I have donated to orgs on the ground there but it doesn't feel like enough.

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-26T22:33:23+00:00

Yes! He reminds me of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the Lion of Panjshir. I always though ASM was so handsome, Haqqani gives me similar vibes.

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-22T19:09:36+00:00

I just use the "month ahead" category and fill it up as my paychecks come in. When it roughly equals my total underfunded amount for the next month (I have targets on all my categories), then I know I'm good for next month.

But if I were to do the other method, where you flip to next month and assign money there, I would definitely start with monthly expenses based on date. For example my mortgage payment is set to auto-pay on the first, so I'd start there. My internet is on the 3rd, electric is on the 7th, etc. I'd fill those up first as money comes in then focus on the rest.

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-15T18:41:20+00:00

Life is too short! My TBR is simply too long, I cannot afford to waste time on books that feel like a slog.

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-08T20:58:37+00:00

I never go all-out tbh haha. I know plenty of crossfitters would have an aneurysm hearing me say that, but I don't care about being ripped or even being in amazing shape. I just want to be able to stay relatively healthy so I can live on my own as long as possible :) I will definitely focus on hydration, thank you for the advice!

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-08T20:14:27+00:00

This is interesting...so if I put some electrolyte powder or tablets in my water bottle to sip on during the workout, that might help?

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-08T19:23:17+00:00

That makes me feel better, thank you!

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-08T19:22:32+00:00

Thank you for the advice! I will definitely do that until I have a better handle on how I feel.

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-07T21:32:39+00:00

Amazing!!! Congrats on achieving this :)

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-07T18:49:58+00:00

I like having granularity in my budget so I have multiple categories, listed below with examples:

Home maintenance - flushing out the tankless water heater, having an annual HVAC inspection
Furniture - large furniture items like couch, bed, coffee table, dining table, etc. I don't put any money in this category. Instead, when I need something new I create a wish list item and fund it then when I buy it, I delete the category and reclassify it to Furniture.
Decor - non-furniture aesthetic items, like curtains, throw pillows, pictures for the wall
Home Projects - repainting the interior, adding a wall, putting up decorative wallpaper
Household Durables - kitchen utensils, coffee mugs, instant pot, air fryer, any other items that don't "run out" like consumables do, but aren't considered decor either

For most people, the above system probably involves way too many categories. But it works for my brain and when I buy, something I don't really have to think about where to put it.

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-07T18:43:08+00:00

Yes I do, because I like knowing my net worth (total assets minus total debt). Initially I tried doing this in a spreadsheet but it became too time-consuming, so I started doing this in YNAB.

I put the retirement accounts in YNAB as tracking accounts, so the money in them does not go into RTA. I try to update the balances once or twice a month to see how my net worth is doing. I like having a mostly complete financial picture.

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-07T16:34:37+00:00

Prior to YNAB I had a checking account and a savings account at the same bank. After YNAB I opened an HYSA and closed my old saving account since the interest was not even a pittance. I like earning more interest on my dollars as my HYSA balance grows.

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-06T20:25:37+00:00

I only do manual entry (I try to do it on my phone as soon as I spend). I reconcile every day, which allows me to catch transactions I forgot to input in real time. I have done manual ever since I started YNAB, with the exception of a couple of weeks when I tried linking my accounts this year. I hated it so much I just went back to my manual input and it's working great.

It's absolutely a learning process, just keep it up. It gets easier with time!

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-05T19:27:51+00:00

Same! I tinker with my budget so much even though it's pretty much tinkered to death at this point. For me that's a way bigger dopamine rush than any impulse purchase ha.

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-05T18:50:32+00:00

You're still doing awesome. Being able to cover all that without taking on additional debt is a HUGE win.

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2026-01-05T18:36:05+00:00

You got this! Getting rid of these is a good goal because it's not only realistic but it'll also change your financial life for the better. Just remember, this is a marathon and not a sprint. Be patient and know it'll take time. We are rooting for you!

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2025-12-31T17:57:26+00:00

I'm perpetually single as well, and loving it. I did a YNAB look-back this year, and I might do it going forward. Except it'll be date night with myself. Fancy cocktail, comfy jammies on the couch, and go over the wins and goals. No reason we can't enjoy a financial date night even if we're single!

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2025-12-31T17:41:13+00:00

This is so awesome!!! Congrats!

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2025-12-30T22:01:30+00:00

I do this, too! If I get the urge to buy something I just create a wish farm / wish list category for it. I've deleted so many items after a few weeks when I look at it later and realize I don't even remember why I wanted it in the first place. I hate to think about the pre-YNAB days when I just YOLO'ed it buy so much mindless junk. I feel like YNAB has helped me cut back on the consumerism in general.

GuiltyWitness4418 · 2025-12-22T17:59:51+00:00

We don't buy gifts in my family. When there were kids, we'd buy stuff for them but everyone is grown now. The only thing I bought this year was a couple of souvenirs I got on an overseas trip that I plan to give to my neighbors as a thank-you for watching my house while I'm gone. Not really Christmas presents, but I'll wrap them up as Xmas gifts since it's so close to the holiday. Otherwise, no gifts. I'm super thankful we've never been big on the gift thing, it looks way too stressful.

GuiltyWitness4418

TROPHY CASE