I helped a friend get set up with YNAB last year, one of my favorite things to do! She was so excited at first, but a month or two in, she kind of stopped talking about it. When I gingerly asked how it was going she said, “You know, I kind of stopped using it, and I’m not really sure why. I know people have life-changing breakthroughs using YNAB, but that just hasn’t happened for me yet.”

She was glad I asked, because she wanted to try again but didn’t want to bug me about it! So I assured her that this experience was normal and helped her establish some new habits that would help her check in with her plan more regularly. That was all she needed! Six months later, she’s feeling better about her spending and her goals than ever before. She’s on track to be a bigger YNAB nerd than me!

Maybe you’re like my friend. You joined YNAB full of enthusiasm, but it just hasn’t stuck for you yet.…