This article originally appears on my business blog over at Open Roads Bookkeeping. While it doesn’t directly deal with full time living, it is important to have your finances in order regardless of whether you live in a house or an RV.
I frequently get asked if I can help with personal finance. Yes, absolutely!
For many years our family used Microsoft Money to handle our finances. Since Microsoft Money dissolved, we have been bouncing from software to software seeking an acceptable alternative. Approximately 4 years ago, while in this search for a new “checkbook register” type program, I stumbled across a program called You Need A Budget, YNAB for short.
A budget? What a dirty little 6 letter word?!? Why in the world do I need a budget? I’m fine sitting over here just tracking where my money is going. That’s exactly what most personal finance programs do. They simply track where your money goes after the fact. What I discovered was that I actually did need a budget and so do you!
Why do you need a budget?
If we are using the checkbook register method, it is more than likely that your money is controlling you. It should be the other way around. We are supposed to have control over our money. A budget is just that. A budget tells our money
YNAB uses 4 main rules.
1. Give every dollar a job.
Every single dollar that comes in has to be assigned to a job. What do you need your dollars to do before you get paid again?
2. Embrace your true expenses.
Know what bills are coming due and plan for them accordingly
3. Roll with the punches.
Sometimes unexpected things happen. A bill comes in. Your car breaks down. Your child gets sick and has to go to the doctor. Things happen. You have to be flexible and so does your budget.
4. Age your money.
YNAB wants you to get to the point where you pay next month’s bills with this month’s income. They call this your buffer.
YNAB has helped our family overcome the obstacles of variable income and put us on the right track. We have truly put the principles to the test as we have also undergone periods of unemployment. Regardless of what we have thrown at it, YNAB has stood the test of time with our family. If YNAB can help us, it can definitely help you!
Are you tired of stressing over money issues?
Are you looking to gain control of your finances?
Do you desire a budget, but aren’t quite sure where to start?
Are you drowning in debt and seeking advice and assistance getting out?
What can we assist you with?
Open Roads Bookkeeping provides personal finance solutions from devising a proper budget to setting up a plan to help you get out of debt.
