My 5 YNAB Beginner Mistakes

You know you need a budget. So then how in the world do you start one? In this video, Hannah shares her five big mistakes and misunderstandings when first beginning her YNAB budget and, more importantly, how to avoid them.

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:15 How I found YNAB
1:20 Mistake #1: Thinking signing up was enough
2:50 Mistake #2: Using app without learning the method
4:28 Mistake #3: Didn't match budget to lifestyle
6:08 Mistake #4: Letting my budget do the work for me
7:50 Mistake #5: Abusing rule three of the YNAB Method
10:24 Bonus Tip: Structure budget by fixed vs flexi expenses
12:58 Outro

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[leerv.]

I really like Hannah's style, she makes it funny and uses just the right pinch of self-deprecation to make it relatable! We've all been there! lol These points are all very very good, and, sorry to admit, I found myself nodding along with more than one of them. Doh!!!

What's super confidence-inspiring is that YNAB's educators use the product themselves, and talk about learning the product and learning how to budget. In the software world, using your own product is called "eating your own dogfood". It's a terrible phrase, but the idea is powerful, because if your product is good enough to improve your own lives, that shows consumers that it can work for them too! <3

[e.serven]

collapsing the "Fixed" categories and keeping an eye on the "Flexi" categories was a helpful tip!

[PhillP]

Bravo YNAB!! Hannah is an absolute delight - confident, funny, informant - fantastic delivery. Great video!! She's a hoot!

[HollySilkman]

You and the other YNAB Video teachers are really rockin' it lately. Love all of you: your styles and deliveries are very different, but you are all polished, real, and hugely helpful.

[gemmapfinn]

Loved this and loved the authentic way this was presented. Thanks so much!

[danatilton]

Loved this video! I am still a relatively new YNAB user and this info was super helpful! I love your sense of humor too! Love that we all struggle with similar things. Thank you for the tips, I am going to try the Fixed/ Flexi categories for March!

[susanparker]

I love Hannah's videos. Makes me feel better to hear that she also struggles at times, just like me. Plus listening to the explanation about rule #3 resonated with me. I only started my budgeting journey about 2 1/2 months ago, but feel like it has brought my attempts at getting off the paycheck to paycheck hamster wheel that much closer. I am thrilled that my money is now aged out to 34 days. Thank you so much for your videos! 💜

[isaacbueckert]

super well done video! Love the chalkboard instead of slides, and the mention of tithes being a fixed budget.

[carriescoby]

I live in KS too and totally agree with the utilities comment! I'm a fan of the weather keeping us on our toes!

[ashleighdouglas]

These new videos are really looking great! Loving the layout and topics 👍🏾 keep it up YNAB

[clairelouise]

This was so good! Hannah is hilarious and I thoroughly enjoyed her presentation - plus I learned some new tips so I'm currently restructuring my budget. Thank you :D

[amandarose]

Love this video. Implementing that fixed/flexi tip! Definitely guilty of a few of those beginner mistakes.

[karidickerson]

Awesome video! I've been using YNAB for something like 2 years now...a few of those areas I am doing better but a few like Rule 3, so totally relate to what she said! Love the transparent and fun way of delivering this important message! Thank you! Inspired to stop ignoring rule 3 now...

[SuiMizu]

I love the teaching style. It is so entertaining but also educational! Keep rockin, Hannah!

[JustJoia]

This video was so helpful!!! I definitely abused rule three. But I like the breakdown in the bonus you gave. I’ll have to use that. ❤️

[team.barron]

Loved this video! Really insightful, and Hannah's style is great.

[lindseypritchard]

You absolutely make me laugh out loud! I can't tell you how refreshing that is to hear when dealing with $$ :/ Thank you for your insight!

[robertsonjg]

This was SO HELPFUL! Thank you for your honesty, and for keeping it super simple. I am brand new to YNAB and the timing is great for this video.

[leakedavid]

So good! Thanks for the humor. Wish I'd seen that three years ago when I was getting started. That said, there were ample resources back then to get up and running without too many hicups. Thanks for investing in creating such fun and relevant content for us! 💞🙏

[rosainesmedina]

Looooved, this. I enjoy Hannah very much, because she grabs the humor out of this scary situation (like starting from minus!). Go Hannah!