Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

toodle-dree t1_je1zsx8 wrote

I recently started watching people do cash stuffings on YouTube (including her! I've seen some of her videos). I don't do it personally because I don't really like carrying physical cash. I use YNAB which is basically a virtual cash envelope system. But with that said I think it's fun watching how people set up their cash binders, how they organize their money, etc. So I basically just watch them for inspiration.

52

RiverLover27 t1_je2sy4n wrote

It’s my dream to be able to do something like that and find it fun. My anxiety went off just reading you describe watching people talking about money.

12

wakka55 t1_je3vro4 wrote

(Stupid) Question: For something like car insurance, are they mailing cash? Or is the cash just symbolically in the envelope and gets deposited back into the bank in time for a normal check to clear? Or what? (I have been autopay everything for decades so I have no idea how this works)

7

GingerMau t1_je57pvs wrote

That was my question too.

You can't just mail cash, so you have to deposit it in order to pay.

Seems like a lot of extra steps, but if that's what it takes to help you budget and save then why not?

2

toodle-dree t1_je83fdz wrote

So from what I've seen people will physically save up for maybe sinking funds or their emergency fund and once they get to their goal point they will re-deposit it into the bank. I personally am too lazy to do this so that is why I wouldn't get into physical cash stuffings but I can understand why people do it. Some people need something tactile and in person to really get where their money is going and what they're doing with it.

1

[deleted] t1_je3aaxc wrote

I like YNAB.

4

magneticgumby t1_je4vxjy wrote

Loved YNAB and used it back when it was a one-time purchase software you could use. When it went to the new model with the website and everything, kept using the software until that went to poo and they pushed hard for the website service. It was a shame to see the original version get left in the dust.

2

[deleted] t1_je4w7z2 wrote

Never used the original version, so I can’t make the same comparison, but I still like it. It’s way better than actual cash envelopes and still does the best of any program I’ve used. Do you have a different program you prefer?

1

Meocross t1_je2g4vt wrote

YNAB cuts into my allowance a little too much, maybe if i got my 2k it would be easier.

2

MiloTheMagicFishBag t1_je6rb5e wrote

When introduced to it, I had zero money to spend on YNAB, so I found a PDF of the book online, read it, and taught myself how to make an Excel spreadsheet. Excel can get pretty complicated, but basic functions like adding up all the numbers in a row are super easy, and you can google how to do pretty much everything if you forget. In fact you can just google "Excel budget sheet" can find a step by step guide or maybe even a template you can download that let's you plug in values. Even if you can't afford Excel, Google Sheets is almost the exact same thing for free. YNAB is more about a state of mind than the program anyway. Don't spend more than you have, and be mindful and purposeful about where the money you do spend is going.

Never spent a cent.

1

Meocross t1_je6sbde wrote

Thanks a lot man, i always wondered how to activate the budget functions on an excel spreadsheet. With that tip i can now write an entire budget without straining my hands.

1

MiloTheMagicFishBag t1_je6x2hp wrote

Sorry, it's hard to tell over text, but are you disappointed I didn't go into more detail about excel's functions? Because I wrote that comment to show how you can still use YNAB's methods without purchasing the program.

If anyone finds a lot of value in the product, of course they can keep using it! But the original comment seemed distressed about the price, so I wanted to let people know it IS possible to use the method without paying for YNAB, I myself did it. And I'm NOT some finance master, or even that good at excel lol

And I didn't go into any details about how I set up my spreadsheet because I learned my excel skills from google, and often have to re-google how to do stuff I don't do regularly, so I don't consider myself good enough at Excel to do any detailed teaching.

Or do you think I was being condescending by giving super obvious information? Because I never meant to offend, I was trying to uplift. I've posted before on reddit about using the YNAB method without spending money and got a few replies asking how, so I wanted to go ahead and offer up that information first thing, for anyone scrolling by, in case it was helpful. You never know who's reading and where they're at in life

1

Meocross t1_je6y0gz wrote

No no no nothing like that, i know excel how-to videos exist, i just didn't know to find them. XD

Let me be even more clear.

​

>Sorry, it's hard to tell over text, but are you disappointed I didn't go into more detail about excel's functions?

No not at all, with the term "Excel budget sheet" it makes my task a whole lot easier.

​

>Or do you think I was being condescending by giving super obvious information?

No no no not at all, every bit of info helps.

2

MiloTheMagicFishBag t1_je71rgs wrote

Oh, excellent! :D

I just wanted to be extra sure, you never know with this place, right?

1

Meocross t1_je7229y wrote

Meh as long as you avoid politics and religion this place is pretty chill, almost boring actually.

You got to admit the flamewars back in the forum days were excellent popcorn material.

2

MiloTheMagicFishBag t1_je72b7s wrote

Haha, in the old days I was unfortunately the one IN the war, not watching on the sidelines

So many hours I'll never get back :')

2

hsvstar2003 t1_je5krqn wrote

I just use a spreadsheet and keep track of my purchases. I don't get why people need anything more elaborate than this

2

RiverLover27 t1_je6bp41 wrote

Aside from not everyone owning a computer, being able to afford Microsoft Office and knowing how to use it, it’s also enormously stressful to even use Excel for some people, including me. My hands start to shake and my heart races if I so much as think about using Excel like this.

2

toodle-dree t1_je84u8f wrote

Speaking of myself personally I am not really much of an Excel budgeting kind of person, I've tried it but I just have hard time staying motivated to use it. Admittedly I find having these aesthetically pleasing cash envelopes/binders and these elaborate set-ups a little extra but it helps people budget and get their finances together. Different things work for different people, so why not?

1