Hey friend- I do not use ynab as intended - I am always way off my set budgets and constantly run over. Typically, I end my month in the red. But! I am getting better.

I have been using ynab for a year. We have eliminated nearly 20k in debt thanks to ynab and are only getting rid of more.

My suggestion is to use ynab for two or three months and simply track the money and where it goes. This requires you to add all pf your accounts - but assets and liabilities - and just do your normal routine.

What I discovered was that although we were paying minimum on loans, putting money into our retirement, and paying off our credit card in full each month, our debt was only growing. We were spending nearly 1/3 more each month than what we bring home! And a huuuuge chunk of that was on food. I mean like, $1000/month eating out at least.

It took a few months, and maybe a restart or two, but it finally clicked. And it has seriously helped us.

So, now, I know how much we bring home each month, and I budget what I wish to spend in those categories. So, I start my month in the red. Whatever. There is nothing better than at the end of the month when my TBB turns green and there is a new hefty balance to move forward.

And guess what I do with that forward balance? I put it towards our debt.