2 year update

[lazysundays]

Hi. I promised to come back and update. So here it is. Using networthiq to help.

April 2014 I finally went and tried YNAB.
Started with $179000 joint with DH student loans and $14,000 credit card debt. Net worth negative $63,625.

May 2016
Student loans $147,500
Credit cards $0
Net worth $52,723

So thank you.
And here's a tiny glimp into my world: Bears in our pool last summer. Enjoy

[dannylion]

Well done!

And I am envious. You have your own bears! All we get are groundhogs and deer. And rabbits and squirrels. And once there was a peacock.

My friend saw a mama bear and cub last week, but she lives a few miles west, closer to the wilder, less traveled area of the state park.  But it was just the 2 bears, not a whole herd of them.

Cool!

[msventoux]

Thanks for the update, I'm glad things are going well for you!  I was wondering about you the other day.

Don't leave us in suspense, did mama bear manage to electrocute herself?  Did the pool survive? 

[lazysundays]

Video I and III on YouTube for before and after. The power turned off, and they played some more.

Thanks. I'm surprised and pleasantly pleased to see some old names here too.

[whoisjohngalt]

Wait, are you the poster who was getting all kinds of crap for doing everything wrong?

If so, good for you for coming back and with such good news.

BTW, your little one's comments are hilarious!

[lazysundays]

Yup, sure was. My biggest issue was that DH and I had separate checking accounts, so we moved over to joint when we started ynab. Then, after the buffer was built, we could see that the issue was too much spent on fast food ($650 a month) and that we couldn't afford the $23,000/yr daycare. Then hubby found a job with a $40k raise, and the combo of good budgeting and raise made a huge difference. Otherwise how the hell was that much change possible in such a short timeframe?
Now we just live modestly with a once a year trip, like the $5000 budgeted Disney drop we just took and the sandals trip last year.
But it was all about ynab and a sweet raise. I'm hanging out on ynab forums, there is less angst there

[Deleted]

Sweet turnaround in two years!  Congratulations!

 YNAB rocks!  I've been using it for 8 years now and would be lost without it. 

[lazysundays]

MinnesotaPaintLady, I think you were the one pushing for ynab when my efforts were failing. I was getting shit on YM boards for being comfortable with debt, and I still am. I make it work for me- pay less than maximum available so we can save for "living now" goals like trips and ballet classes. My overall net worth upon my death won't be optimized, but I can live with that
I absolutely love that ynab isn't just about debt or savings, it's about prioritizing anything and everything, as long as you budget for it .

[Blonde Granny]

Great job!  I'm another Ynab user, but have to admit I don't use it the way it was designed.  Yet, I still track every penny spent, and seldom go over.  It was a real eye opener to see what was actually being spent each month.  Our big hit was eating out also.

[attitude21]

Yes, great job. Very nice. What you have illustrated very nicely is that one size does not fit all.
Yes, there must be a balance of living today and planning for tomorrow too.

I have seen commercials for Sandals trips and they look nice.

Keep up the great work.

[NastyWoman]

Jun 4, 2016 15:09:22 GMT -5 attitude21 said:

Yes, great job. Very nice. What you have illustrated very nicely is that one size does not fit all.
Yes, there must be a balance of living today and planning for tomorrow too.

I have seen commercials for Sandals trips and they look nice.

Keep up the great work.

So  . At 64 I am still in savings mode due to a very late start, but I will take vacations and enjoy life as well. While I fully intend to see my 100st birthday, there is nothing that even guarantees I get to celebrate 65!

So here I am saving and loving life at the same time.