You Need a Budget Giveaway!
By glblguy
We interrupt this regularly scheduled Money saving Monday to provide you with one of he coolest giveaways I’ve done here on Gather Little by Little.
Those of you that have been reading for a while know that I am a huge proponent of budgeting. Personally, I think a budget is a foundational tool for controlling your finances and being financially successful. I started budgeting monthly 2 years ago. I first used a piece of paper, then a simple excel spreadsheet which then developed into a more complex and easier to use excel budget spreadsheet, then I discovered You Need a Budget Pro (you can read my full review over at my You Need a Budget Pro review article). I’ve waffled back and forth between my spreadsheet and YNAB Pro, but both are great tools with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Regardless, YNAB Pro is a great piece of software that does one thing very well: budgeting.
Jesse and the other kind folks at You Need a Budget were kind enough to provide me with a free copy of You Need a Budget to giveaway here on Gather Little by Little. What do you need to do to win? Just leave a comment stating the one reason you like budgeting and you’ll be entered.
The giveaway runs through 5:00pm on Sunday May 11th. After 5:00pm, I’ll place all of the comments into an Excel spreadsheet and use Random.org to pick the winner. Make sure you leave a valid email address, as I’ll be using the address you provide to contact you. The winner will have 24 hours to reply. If no reply is received within 24 hours, another winner will be selected.
If you’ve been wanting to use You Need a Budget, but have been hesitant to spend the money now is your chance. Good luck!!
May 4th, 2009 at 7:09 am
I have been using an Excel spreadsheet for a while now and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger, I’d love to try YNAB Pro.
May 4th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Thanks for the giveaway. I’ve been putting off trying YNAB for a while now!
May 4th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Giveaway? Nice. I’ve been trying to budget with Quicken, but it is simply very confusing, and I’ve been spending too much becuase I can’t track it so well. Maybe I need to simplify….
May 4th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Thanks for the giveaway.
I LOVE budgeting because if I didn’t, I woundn’t have the money to pay for my internet service to access this site.
May 4th, 2009 at 8:51 am
I love budgeting because I have a mixed income: a little salary and the rest is commission. I need to budget, particularly when business is down and I am living on just my salary.
May 4th, 2009 at 9:11 am
I have been using excel and have also tried Quicken which just didn’t work for me. I would LOVE to try this!!
May 4th, 2009 at 9:18 am
I love budgeting because it ultimately makes life soo much easier! Budgeting is tough, but hey, I like a challenge!
May 4th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Budgeting gives me piece of mind. I’d like to give YNAB a try.
May 4th, 2009 at 10:17 am
I budget to pay down my debt(mortgage) as fast as possible.
May 4th, 2009 at 10:28 am
I love budgeting but i re-format, rejig, re-organize my excel spreadsheet constantly because i am always finding something i didn’t consider before. I have three (count them 3!) excel spreadsheets, several tabs each, that i bounce between trying to keep track of every penny. i would love to try You Need a Budget!
May 4th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Since I started budgeting, I like knowing that certain bills (auto insurance, student loans) are coming due. I’m currently using excel spreadsheets to budget, and would love to give YNAB a try.
Thanks for this great offer!
May 4th, 2009 at 10:38 am
I use budgeting as a third party to show my husband where we could cut back. If it comes from me it isn’t as well received.
May 4th, 2009 at 10:41 am
I really like the methodology of YNAB. I have started using it for our own budgeting. The forums are handy and I like the attitude of the developer.
Frankly, I would really like to give this a try but I’m too cheap to buy it.
May 4th, 2009 at 11:06 am
When you don’t have much money, you need to budget very carefully. I could sure use some help. Thanks
May 4th, 2009 at 11:13 am
I recently became a single Mother of a toddler and need to pinch pennies wherever and whenever I can. I would like to start a budget and could sure any and all help I can get.
Thanks!
May 4th, 2009 at 11:17 am
I love budgeting, because it takes the guess work out of when and what I can spend my money on. It is like a little Jiminy Cricket on my shoulder. Thanks for the great giveaway. I really need to move past my Excell spreadsheets.
May 4th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Budgeting lets me sleep at night. No more MAJOR anxiety attacks at night. It’s an important skill to learn and I consider it as an important job of parenting > creating a secure financial setting for our children.
Thanks for all your tips – love your blog!
May 4th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I’ve been using YOUR budget forms, which I downloaded about a year ago. Thanks GLBL! I simply used a little whiteout to tweak it for my own use. I’m not a computer savvy granny – yet – but I’m learning. I think it would be a growth thing for me to use a conputer budget. What the heck! Give it a try!
May 4th, 2009 at 11:26 am
I hope I win the copy of the YNAB Pro software. I budget because it stops me from feeling desperate. Budgeting for me, however, has always been casual, informal, meant simply to spend as little as possible. Now it’s time to LOOK at what I need, and what I spend, and how much more I could save — with your tips, as always, and now with the prospect of good (free!) software help. thanks!
eh438
May 4th, 2009 at 11:31 am
I love budgeting b/c I am a numbers geek. I like analyzing trends. And it helps me show my husband where our money is going; not where it is taking us.
I’ve tried Quicken but I had trouble staying focused. I’ve stuck w/an excel spreadsheet the longest. It would be nice to try something new. Based on what Glbl guy has said YNAB would be fun to use!
May 4th, 2009 at 11:58 am
I love budgeting because it helps me keep track of exactly where all my money goes! I currently use an Excel spreadsheet, but it is getting kind of complicated. I would love to try YNAB.
May 4th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Well, sadly, I’ve never had a real budget! So I really do need one that is easy to use.
May 4th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I have been using a budget for about 9 years. I started out with paper and pencil and then moved on to Excel. I would love to try YNAB for free. Thanks for the giveaway.
May 4th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Been using mvelopes, would like a cheaper alternative. I love budgeting. It’s made a world of difference.
May 4th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I like budgeting because it either keeps me out of trouble or let’s me know when I am choosing trouble.
May 4th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Wow, how super that I stumbled upon your blog and this opportunity! I’ve been surfing the internet for 2 days looking for various budgeting options – both software and online budget tools. Of what I’ve read, YNAB is about the best available.
I went back to graduate school several years ago, and am just now getting back on my feet in a good job. I’ve let budgeting slide while I was back in school – it seemed like studying was a higher priority than budgeting (at least at the time it did). So now I need to grab the budget bull by the horns and get some order into my financial life.
Thanks for the opportunity on this budget package!
May 4th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
I budget because if I don’t I’m in big trouble. I have to plan in advance for certain expenses. I would so love to win this. Thanks for the giveaway and all the good tips that you give.
Kellie
May 4th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I’ve never budgeted before, but I know I really need to start. I’m not really sure where to start, so hopefully the program would help me out!
May 4th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
i love budgeting because when i want to do something nice for a friend or family member, i don’t have to hold back b/c i’m already in control of personal spending and know where i stand in each category…it feels freeing!
May 4th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
What timing! My wife and I were discussing the need to get our budget more organized and less time consuming. I had just visited YNAB website this weekend. Thanks for a great site chock full of golden nuggets we all can use.
May 4th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
I have been foloowing your website and articles for a few months now and I am ready and willing to have a financial awakening! I am 35 years old and have yet to “get it together” and move forward. I would appreciate the opportunity to used good software to help me in my goal of becoming financially stable.
May 4th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
We budget so that we tell our money where to go instead of the other way around.
May 4th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
“If you’ve been wanting to use You Need a Budget, but have been hesitant to spend the money now is your chance.”
LOL, yes I find it hard to “spend money to save money”.
Even though I am computer savvy I still LOVE my paper and pencil for budgeting. Something about putting it all down in neat little rows…
May 4th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
My wife has been doing a paper budget for the 14 years we have been married. It has helped us keep track of our bille. We now only have a small mortgage to pay. Only 5 years left til debt free. Woo hoo!
May 4th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I like to budget because I like to know where I am at and I can catch a small problem before it becomes a large one.
May 4th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
This is an awesome opportunity! Thank you so much. My husband and I have been debating having a stricter budget, and this would certainly help.
May 4th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I love budgeting! I’ve even helped a couple friends start theirs. This weekend I’m going to sit down with my mom and get one started for her! I was looking into this product for her a couple days ago, and decided I wanted it for myself!
May 4th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
I budget by only paying cash. This would help me to get my family to budget.
May 4th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I love budgeting because it makes looking at my finances like looking in the mirror, I know just what to expect. Gone are the days of cringing to see my balance on the receipt while withdrawing a wad of cash from the ATM. Love it!
May 4th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
I like budgeting because as a tool, it helps me move quicker towards my ultimate goal – which is Financial Independence.
May 4th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
I do the finances in my household. I like budgeting because then it’s “the budget” limiting what we have to spend not me. Even though I created the budget (with his input).
May 4th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
YNAB, I believe, will help my spouse and I get on the same page better then we are now.
May 4th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Budgeting shows me that I am in control and not a victim.
May 4th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Budgeting causing me to know what is happening and why it is happening it makes it easier to see where something is out of line before it last to long and causes a deeper sore than needs to be. It allows me to know what is going on and prepairing things ahead of schedule.
May 4th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
I can’t say I always love budgeting, but I sure am glad we’ve been sticking to one now that my husband (currently the only breadwinner in the home) is losing his job. Instead of the sheer panic most of his coworkers are feeling, we have felt relatively calm knowing that with some serious belt-tightening we will be just fine. Some nice software could be very useful…
May 4th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Budgeting and then tracking it helps me to see where we are going, and what needs adjustment
May 4th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
I like budgeting because I like knowing where I can improve my spending. Right now we’re trying the pen-and-paper method after failing multiple times using Quicken and custom-built spreadsheets. I wouldn’t mind trying YNAB for this purpose.
May 4th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
I want some hot ynab action!
May 4th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I have tried several techniques, but need something simple yet flexible :)
May 4th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I need YNAB because the spreadsheet isn’t cutting it anymore.
May 4th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Budgeting gives me the peace, comfort, and joy of knowing where my money is going for debt servicing, savings, and investments.
May 4th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Thanks for the chance to win! I’ve heard great things about YNAB!
May 4th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
This is a great giveaway! I currently use pieces of paper and know I need a better method. I’m sure something like this will help to put me and my husband on a good direction!
May 4th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
oops…. and I like budgeting because I know what’s going on!
May 4th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
To be honest I have not been budgeting because it scares me. I really need this to get me on track.
Thanks!
May 4th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
I need some budgeting motivation…I’ve been off track a lot lately.
May 4th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Add me to the pool…everyone look out…I have a good feeling about this one!
Thanks Gibble & thanks Jesse! I too have been putting off trying YNAB, I think winning this contest is just the kick in the butt i need!
;-)
May 4th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
I’m in to win…
I love budgeting because my money goes a lot farther when I give each dollar a name before the month begins.
Cheers!
May 4th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
If I had to choose ONE reason I like budgeting, it would be because a budget tells me exactly where every penny goes, and where my money pits are (that’s two…).
Love the information you’re providing, BTW.
May 5th, 2009 at 1:11 am
i don’t have an income so starting a budget and then following it wouldn’t be so rough.
May 5th, 2009 at 5:47 am
I love budgeting as it means I keep my spare cash, I am not giving it to a a shop or bank that has enough of their own.
May 5th, 2009 at 8:44 am
I’d love to try this out. I hope I win!
May 5th, 2009 at 9:51 am
I love budgeting because it helps me keep those overdraft fees away!
And it helps me plan for a better life for our family.
And I feel like I control my money instead of it controlling me.
May 5th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Oh, boy… do I need a budget. I know this, yet I do nothing with that knowledge. Maybe this would be the push I need? That would be lovely!!!
May 5th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Please put me in the drawing.
May 5th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I’m at day 9 of the YNABU – so this couldn’t come at a better time. Well, May 6th or 7th would be better, ha ha! I’m feverishly trying to get my budget in order so my poor hardworking husband won’t be telling the truth when he says “I’ll never get to retire.” (He’s 61!!!)
May 6th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Oooh! I want! This could be a big help…we are currently just using a notebook. I love budgeting because we get three large chunks of money per year and very little between those; without budgeting we wouldn’t be able to do it.
May 6th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
I’ve been fighting with myself over making a budget. Maybe this would help me actually do it and use it! Thanks for being able to offer it.
May 6th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
I wish I had started budgeting sooner – if I had, I would have much more money right now. :( But I’m glad that I’ve gotten into it. I have a zero-based budget now, and I love it because it frees me from the stress of worrying if I have enough money in the bank.
I’ve been meaning to try YNAB. I’ve been using a rather large Excel spreadsheet, but I’ve been wanting to give YNAB a try.
May 7th, 2009 at 10:47 am
I use a budget on paper because, being old enough to have my son explain Excel, I don’t have time to figure out how to set it up. Right now I do a simple one right in my check book with money taken out weekly in three categories: big bills(yearly), house payment, and credit card. Each week’s deposit is assigned one or more monthly bills with the months with a fifth week as catch up if needed. I know with a glance if we have money in case of an emergency. Right now we have an emergency fund in a fourth category which was left in from our tax refund!
Budgets are so essential for those of us with lower incomes. If YNAB works with a MAC I would love to try it.
May 7th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Thanks for the giveaway, and for this blog!
I like budgeting because it allows me to look over our total spend over time for each category and identify which areas are sore spots, and which we’re doing well in. Doing this monthly has allowed us to trim spending month after month since we really started keeping up with the process.
Wish I had started this about 10 years earlier!
May 7th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I like budgeting because YNAB and budgeting have helped me pay off $12,000 debt since August of last year – that’s an average of $1333 per month. Before YNAB, I never seemed to have enough to pay the bills when they were due, much less pay extra. I still have $18,000 to pay off, but I can and WILL do that by August of next year. YNAB’s concept of budgeting (actually, their Four Rules, so concepts plural) really gave me the insight I needed into the why, what, when and how of what I need to be doing rather than just saying here’s a spreadsheet. LOVE it! I’m 35 and I am just now thinking, “maybe I can get ahead.” Simply thinking I will be debt free in 15 months lets me sleep easier at night and having a budget I can and will follow has greatly improved the quality of my life. If I win, I want to give the free copy to my 25 year old brother – give him a 10-year headstart on where I am today.
May 9th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
I’d lvoe to say I like budgeting, but I don’t. I know it’s the right thing to do, and it would probably be helpful to NOT do it on the back of an envelope. I’m sure husband, who is an accountant, woudl LOVE to help me set this up! :)
May 9th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
I love budgeting because it puts me in the driver’s seat when it comes to controlling where my money goes. It allows me to point my money toward what is important (e.g. paying off debt, saving for retirement, emergency fund, enjoying my hobbies) and away from things that aren’t (impulse buys, bank fees, credit card interest).
May 9th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Budgeting gives you control over your income, which is vital for wealth building
May 9th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
I budget because one day it will give me the freedom to do devote my life exclusively to what i love!
May 10th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I love the piece of mind a budget gives me. I am interested in the month advance YNAB sets up.