Updated October 22, 2025

I’m just going to come right out and admit it: I’ve always felt like I'm bad at money. And vacuuming. And putting away laundry. Maybe most of adulthood, actually? I didn’t expect to be facing such hard truths when I sat down to write this.

Anyway, my intent is always good. I’ve tried rewards and punishments, new systems, different apps, envelopes, notebooks, spreadsheets, and Google docs galore. These attempts all eventually pile up like the neatly-folded t-shirts currently residing on my coffee table.

YNAB is the only thing that has worked when it comes to staying organized about my finances, and that’s because it’s not really budgeting—it feels more like planning. It’s like a road map for my wants and needs and goals and dreams. It’s permission to indulge in the little treats that sustain me. It’s reassurance that life’s priorities are covered. It’s motivation to go ahead and make that bucket list vacation happen.…