If you haven’t heard of it before, it’s a YNAB challenge that has 3 simple rules. For 30 days you:

  1. Track your spending
  2. Only buy essentials
  3. No dining out

I haven’t been able to successfully follow this for 30 days, but I’ve made a lot of progress towards my financial goals in trying! I’m glad I did actual progress too, because I sure felt silly turning down friend dates at the bar and having them offer to pay.

What about you? Have you been able to crush your desires and go a month without going out or buying any fancy coffees?

  • @mapikiEnglish
    1•1 year ago

    Hmm…

    I think I use YNAB to allow myself nice things while knowing I’m saving. I guess it’s because I’ve got a saver mentality instead of a spender mentality. So I don’t think the challenge would be useful to me…

    YNAB gives me permission to eat out with coworkers when they invite me on Friday… Before YNAB I would feel bad not to eat a packed lunch.

    I’m just not someone who buys unnecessary things on a regular basis. (I lean more towards splurging on outdoor gear once or twice a year.)

    I like budgeting because it meant I didn’t feel guilty buying two board games on FB marketplace this month even if I knew it meant postponing a purchase of an epilator until a future month.

    I’ve tracked all my spending since I first moved out of my parents place for university… I think I would struggle not to. My anxiety loves loves loves worrying about money. Forget the fact that I could have no income for six months and live my usual life…