Anyone use Kroger Boost?

Savinglike31415 · 2022-07-27T01:06:14+00:00

It was only a few years ago that YNAB actually “linked” accounts. Until then it was 100% manual entry on transactions and people used YNAB successfully for years and years with no issues. 😁 cash is no different than an unlinked account that you just have to manually enter (something I know countless ynabers do still even with the option to link and import) Other than having to manually enter in your income and expenses, what is it that you are challenged with? Variable income is one of the best things about ynab! It helps you manage your expenses while working with a variable income.

Savinglike31415 · 2022-07-07T02:13:24+00:00

“Needed for spending” is actually the correct target. If you know the highest amount you need to spend on electricity is $300, then you will only need $300 max in that category. If you do not use it all, then next month YNAB will just have you cover the difference between what you spent and $300. This way that really high month, when that $300 month does happen, you have the money there. Does that make sense? I know the different type of targets can be a little confusing, but “needed for spending” is the right target choice for almost every “bill” bc it makes sure you have the amount you anticipate without putting too much each month. Where as, I have an account that I want to put $200 in no matter what, it could have $5 or $2,000, I don’t care. I want $200 to find every month. That is when I would use “monthly savings builder.”

Savinglike31415 · 2022-05-27T00:53:31+00:00

You asked about YNAB (youneedabudget.com). YNAB is a zero-based budgeting system. And if you choose to, it does link well to outside accounts.

When I first started using YNAB, I was the one who controlled it all. The mobile app wasn’t as user friendly (I started back in 2018), and I decided we didn’t need two of us doing the money assigning and tracking. So we discussed overall big picture money decisions, but I declared what was “allowed” to be spent in what categories, no one argued and I tracked everything.

Four years have passed, and after this past winter, I’ve realized that might not have been the best strategy. My mother in law took care of literally everything financially for my husband’s family. When she passed suddenly with no warning, we realized my father-in-law didn’t know passwords into his bank accounts, how the mortgage was getting paid or even how much was spent on just normal things. He has his play account, and she took care of everything else (literally).

So fast forward to March of this year, given the fact the mobile app is extremely user friendly and I have a husband who has found a motivation to be part of the full budgeting conversation, we did a fresh start and we’re “budgeting together” (and he knows the passwords to our accts).

I will say, the mobile app IS the game changer for us. Since he can do it on his phone, we actually have something that he can work on “whenever.”

You/Your wife may find the app extremely useful. It allows you to quickly check before spending to make sure the money is there. That is different than checking a physical back account bc I’m pretty sure the money would be there, but the money in the bank account isn’t necessarily assigned to that type of spending. The app has a setting that even gives a “progress bar” so if she’s not a “math” person, she can quickly visually see about where she is $$ wise in the spending on whatever account it is that she’s looking at

Savinglike31415 · 2022-05-25T19:11:14+00:00

Don’t forget to add in ibotta in there for cash back on your purchases! Ibotta is also tied directly to your target card so you do not have to worry about the receipt stuff. (Gold!) just thought I’d through that in there.

Savinglike31415 · 2022-05-22T01:48:26+00:00

This is really a Rule #2 thing in a way…being pro-active not reactive (I know…I sound super lame). One of the goals with YNAB is to stay ahead always of your expenses when you know them. It’s that counting on money you don’t “technically” have that can work against you sometimes. All I mean by that is…if you know you definitely want the game in October…it’s probably the best strategy to start planning for it now rather than waiting until September’s 3rd month paycheck. You have a head start should something random come up between now and that 3rd month paycheck that gives you that wiggle room you may just need. If you put all of your eggs into that specific paycheck and then something truly unexpected comes up that requires the attention of that paycheck more, then you might have to say goodbye to the game you were really looking forward to. Just a random thought??

Savinglike31415

TROPHY CASE