You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want

Loved this book. Talks about money in a way that I’ve never seen before and feels like a conversation not a lecture. Always been big on budgeting and this just revolutionized my process!!!

I see a number of reviews here by people who received the book for free. I guess that makes sense, so that it could have reviews less than 9 hours after publication.I bought my book. With my own (budgeted) money. I've been following the YNAB for a number of years now, and can attest via personal experience how well this system works. It saw me through debt payoff that I never believed I would dig myself out from under, a year of unemployment with minimal worry, and now it's leading me by the hand toward my debt-free retirement.One of the scariest things I ever did was add up all the money I owed to see just exactly how deeply in debt I was. Wow. I actually had a negative net worth -- a big one. But this system gave me a clear, time-limited, well-lighted path to being debt-free. It gave me peace through hard times, and it kept me on track when things got better.I can wax evangelical till the cows come home about this system. I am living proof that, whatever your goal, it will get you there. Whatever deep hole you are in, it can lead you out. All I can say is, give it a try. It will change your life.

I discovered YNAB late last year. We had tried other tools, envelopes, spreadsheets, Mint, Quicken, MS Money, etc.; none worked. This takes methodologies, like Dave Ramsey's and add to it the much-needed flexibility to make it actually work. No budgeting system works unless you stick to it. YNAB is such a system.In the book, Jesse does a great job of talking about the methodology behind the software, and not about the software itself. While I'm a happy user of the software, this methodology could be used on a spreadsheet if needed. Jesse really hits home on the "WHY" of budgeting, as well as the "HOW." He also conveys quite well the benefits of doing each, and it's not about having more money, it's about having more control, and less worry. Which actually leads to more money!!If you're worried when you swipe your debit card if you get stressed checking your account balance if you have more bills than money, this book is for you. Since using this methodology I have so little money stress it allows me to think more rationally about where my money goes, and where it needs to go. If you never used or intend to use this software, the book is still a worthy read.

Excellent primer on budgeting without getting too technical. Loved the section on getting children involved with examples from their own family. Lol m

I have always dreaded budgeting. I have tried it a million times and quit. However, I am sick and tired of my salary sounding amazing but my bank accounts and financial habits are not in alignment with what I make. This book, along with a couple others I read in the past have one central theme, mindset. I don’t know about anyone else, but this book was perfect for me. It was like having a friend sit me down and give it to me straight. In the past, I thought wanting money was enough, now I know what I want my money to do for me. #PositiveMoneyMindset

I have been using the YNAB method for two to three years and it really works for my family. My wife and I budget together on it, she loves it. We love the four rules and the principles behind, practical, down to earth, wise, flexible. I bought the book to read it and to have it as a reference and to teach my kids. I have been following Jesse’s videos for a while so most of the things in the book are somehow spread out in his videos.This book tells you how to use the YNAB method to achieve your priorities, and lots of good advise around how to set priorities and reflecting them on your budget. It doesn’t tell you what you should do with your money.If you want to find ideas about what you should do with your money, e.g. what kind of insurances you should buy and how much, how much to save for retirement, how to invest, real estate, etc you can find ideas in other books (e.g. search Bogleheads), however your budget is your framework to make it happen; and that’s what this book is about.

I picked up this book to prepare to begin using the YNAB software. After reading the book, I remain convinced that Jesse is on to something and plan to use the software. However, there are some major contradictions in the advice that Jesse gives and the real-life examples that he provides as proof of concept. First, most of Jesse's subjects are two-income households. It seems easier to face down debt with two revenue streams. Another example that Jesse purports is a success story involved the experience of a woman who participates in MLM sales as a second job. MLM companies encourage women to view this sort of "side hustle" as a path to financial freedom but statistics show that the vast majority of MLM distributors and up in debt, the thing Jesse says he hates the most. Can't afford independent living or pay for your wedding? Move in with family and mooch off of them to free up income to meet your savings goals and tackle debt! Surely, Mom and Dad won't mind. Lastly, Jesse's ideas about not saving for the college educations of any of his children are downright irresponsible parenting. Even technical and State colleges are expensive these days and not everyone has an aptitude that will lead to major scholarship dollars. What I came away with after finishing this book was solid budgeting advice and a bird's eye view into the very narrow worldview of the author. Though I have no doubt in the principles of YNAB, it was disappointing to see example after unrealistic example of how to cut down on expenses and budget effectively..