Go figure.) The first sale was to a lady on a Mac, and I had to give her a refund.
The original YNAB (so original I didn't even put a version number after it a wise customer told me I should start at about the third release) was pretty macro-heavy, and the macros didn't work on Macs. I went live with it in September of 2004.
Learning how to make a website and sell something - that much was definitely self-taught. I've always been a fairly motivated person, so it didn't seem like an insurmountable task to start a website. I remember asking Julie if she thought it would sell, and she said no. That helped me realize that I could maybe sell it. I would show friends and such, and they all said it was an amazing conglomerate of spreadsheets. Things were going well for us despite our piddly income. We had been using YNAB (though it obviously didn't have a name) for a good year and a half - ever since we got married, basically.
Other than a simple desire for some sideline income (especially with a baby on the way), what got you working on the idea? What got you going on the software and website? Do you enjoy the hands-on, creative aspect of your entrepreneurship? Jesse, take us back to the birth of YNAB as a marketable product. Obviously.Īnd there aren't many like him, as you're about to see. So what kind of guy would go to all this work just to spread the Budgeting Gospel? Well, a guy like Jesse. There's lots to read and learn, and you can keep up with the latest info at his YNAB blog and YNAB forums. The website that Jesse built to accompany YNAB is a tremendous resource for the cash- and time-strapped among us. The YNAB Way: Jesse Mecham, Creator, You Need A Budget SystemĬool software isn't the only thing behind YNAB (and it is cool). If you want to get right with your money, then You Need a Budget. David Bach might tell the world that "budgeting doesn't work," but Jesse, I, and all those YNABers know the truth: His You Need a Budget (YNAB) spreadsheet system (actually, it's now available as a standalone program, as well as a set of Excel spreadsheets) has earned legions of users who wouldn't be caught dead without it. and then they'll run screaming.Ĭall him crazy, but Jesse is doing his best to change all that. They'll cast a quick glance at their watches, take a sharp breath, mutter something about needing to do some volunteer work at the orphanage. The problem, of course, is this: Mention the word budget to friends and neighbors, and they will vanish. I thought the whole budget thing would be a more robust way of tracking money in/out, and when things are paid, and balance at the end of the month which can be used for other misc expenses, OR carried over into the next month.What they need, Jesse says, is a budget. I don't decide on paying my mortgage this month because more money came in, I do it because it's due. I know what comes in, and what needs to go out. I budget for them on a monthly basis and work within my financal means. I don't decide to pay these when money comes in, I pay them because it's my responsibility.
In the trial, it included headings like "Rent/Mortgage" and utilities among other things. Well that design structure seems to be meant for people who are not responsible for any bills. When more money comes in, then you decide what to do with it. You work with, and plan with, what you have right now. Originally posted by RodeoClown:We won't be adding a projected income column, because the whole method [is built around the idea that you don't project your income. (Anyone hear of Monitor Mass? My god you'll know what I'm talking about) This just seems like too many clicks to do something simple. I was just looking for something a little more robust. considering I'm managing it just fine in excel. YNAB is currently on sale, and I'd never pay more than that sale price to manage my budget. I don't think it's rocket science, but as soon as I make something recurring, why does it not show on the next month? and when I click future months, there is NO income.
Yet I try the trial for YNAB, set up for recurring income. My income and bills for each month can be easily managed, and edited. This gives me a quick birds eye view of what hasn't been paid yet. I have all my recurring bills for each month, and colour coded for whether they are paid or not, which I manually do. but I have an excel spreadsheet that I manage my monthly expenses. but I don't know why it appears to by a little user unfriendly.