Maybe it’s just the things I listen to but everyone wants me to start new habits (AM meditation, AG1, grounding, cold plunge, sauna, ACV, Zone 2 cardio an hour a day…) and on and on and on. I only have so much capacity for the zillion habits I should be doing. But if they are Rules…yeah I’m a stereotypical first born child, I like rules and I will follow those babies!
I literally was just writing in my money journal about how my personal finance journey has been driven by mindset, so I'm all aboard with the change from rules to habits. "Rules" feel like we're focusing on what we do. "Habits" are not just about what we do but how we think.
I completely love the term habits. It makes it so much lighter, something to practice, rather than 'obey'. It feels more sovereign. I'd even find a Ynab habit tracker kinda neat, especially for beginners. And rule 4 is for me more like an overarching mindset and vision, than a rule or habit as the others. Therefore it works as the last and final thing to say. Especially as it's something that will probably be achieved later.
The mantra in another community i am familiar with is "progress not perfection". Calling them habits vs rules embraces that philosophy. Practice and progress is what you want.
Honestly, I kinda prefer rules. I'm a new YNAber, still in the weeds of expense-tracking rather than budgeting (especially with a partner who hasn't bought in yet), and the idea of having a few rules to follow sounds simpler to me than building habits. That said, I guess I could do better with the habit-building of it all lol
Just got an email from someone who said, "I would say they are rules until they become a habit." I'm curious if this will be the same evolution for you! ~Ernie
I totally agree.. the rules have to be build as habits in my life before it works well. it took me almost two years with YNAB to really build the habit of setting aside money for future expenses and not using them to roll with the punches. I finally got it in my brain to ignore the non-monthly bills category every time I have to overspend and it takes a lot of repetitions until it feels natural.
Yessss for the Cadillac Ben!!! Drives like a boat is the perfect description. I title and register cars for a living and I’m always thrilled when people rescue things from going to the junk yard and / or buy exciting things and I am so here for this. I hope it is a wonderful addition to your family ❤ Ernie - how did you ask that with a straight face? “Is this for controls freaks? Cause I’m a control freak” 😂🤣 I’ve had driving dreams and I think once I was in the passenger seat maybe lol Also I don’t think I’ve ever watched Nacho Libre so now I will have to.
This car is too cool to go to the junk yard, at least not yet! And definitely watch Nacho Libre. Just remember it's meant to be very silly and you'll have a good time! 😁 ~BenB
So, I really like your videos, stress-free easy to follow explanations of sometimes simple, sometimes complex budgeting details. But can I just mention that EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. At the beginning of the video, when Ernie says "Hi, I'm Ernie!" I expect the next phrase to be "And I'm Bert!". And it's not. It's Ben. And I'm in my late 40ies, it's been a while since I watched Sesame Street! But I'm still surprised every time I watch one of your videos. 🤣
I agree with Ernie - rule/habit 3 should be rule/habit 4. In my brain, it's 1. Plan for this month. 2. Set money aside for the future. 3. Create/Maintain a margin. 4. Make changes when absolutely necessary. Yay for the Cadillac!! I hope it ends up be a blessing for your family, and that your kids one day look back on the fun memories y'all made in your Grandpa's Cadillac!!
21:39 Ever think about Rule 3 being for something positive? I know we mostly talk about *covering overspending* but, image that you didn’t spend as much as you thought you might on Groceries at the end for the month. That spare money can now be tip into some of those NFS annual targets, like Vacation or Christmas (months in advance). Or, perhaps you tip it into some of those Saving Target type categories - like “Replacement Car” - which lower that category’s obligation for next month. In my mind they too are Rule 3 (pure and simple) but, they come with a “this month is sweet” gratitude spin (sop it up I say!). That’s gold right there!! Gold, my friends 🎉
Yep, this is what I do. At the end of each month, I sweep away the funds left over in my variable spending categories into one of my other long-term goals or wish farm items.
I commonly have that dream too, where I'm driving from the backseat, or the seat is wayyyyy back and I can't reach the pedals/steering wheel! Am such YNAB fan too, and it's brought my money stress down for sure!
Not sure this is a real win, but I officially feel like I am part of the family! Made my first feature suggestion. Hope it was a helpful one. Love the idea of habits instead of rules. Evokes the vibe of life long commitment instead of rigid guidelines. Its a choice made everyday.
Idk, I can see how the term rules might put people off or send the message that there's right way and a wrong way to YNAB, but personally I think referring to them as habits could be even more intimidating because it does take time to develop a habit... and that's just ONE habit. If someone told me I needed to develop 4 new habits all at once I'd be like, "Ain't got the bandwidth for that!" Maybe that's just me lol. Personally I always thought of the four rules more along the lines of the four principles of YNAB, or maybe the four practices of YNAB. But I read the book before I started budgeting so I approached it from that perspective out of the gate.
Having money for those non-monthly expenses when they come up is truly amazing. Instead of it disrupting life and usually the fun in that month it's barely a thought. Barely having to think about it is so nice.
I am a beginner and find YNAB has a steep learning curve. I am having particular difficulty with credit cards and reconciling my accounts. I know I am making big errors as differences of thousands of dollars are the result. Much as I feel like abandoning YNAB in frustration, making the four rules into frequent habits is more likely to result in success, in a shorter time. I might suggest that more (habitual) workshops in error correction and in fresh starts, will help deal with the frustrations a beginner may encounter. I am afraid of a fresh start as I don’t know what will happen to all my data, and at this stage of my learning, I will just keep making the same mistakes again.
I made a ton of fresh starts when I started YNAB! When you do this, YNAB keeps an archived copy of your original budget file so you will always have access to your old data. And the fresh start will copy over all your accounts, bank links, targets, categories so your focus becomes making sure you have accurate account balances and assigning jobs to your dollars. We are currently running a workshop called Restarting YNAB that might help. www.ynab.com/free-workshops/ ~Ernie
Love the idea of habits vs rules. My financial journey has definitely been an evolution. And YNAB has helped make my money habits stronger. Still not perfect but very different than even 5 years ago. Great analogy to mediation which is also a practice you 'come back to.' Thanks for another great episode! #teamhabits
I confess, rule 1 took awhile to adjust to when I first started YNAB. But now it is a habit, for sure. It needed to be a “rule” though, to work In Ynab- a force me to conform, but now it’s a habit.
Thanks for the thoughts around 41:30. Totally needed that, I am going through some life changes , the money is there for these situations but it makes me feel deflated because of the numbers going down.
Habits makes a lot of sense to me, but perhaps we can call them the "four weird tricks to better your finances". Jokes aside, I don't have the same negative connotation around the word "rule" like you describe, but I understand why that could be an issue for some people. "Habits" is a perfect word to describe how I actually feel about the YNAB principles.
Given that rule 3 is so closely tied to rule 1... What is your default category for that last $100 or $200 at the end of assigning your ready to assign amount? Given today's grocery prices, I throw the last amount into groceries, since I tend to steal from there first when rolling with the punches. (I have a well stocked pantry and freezer and stockpile of backup toiletries and sundries)
I love the idea of changing the word from rules to habits; however I believe that it’s semantics. It’s a psychological concept that people either will or won’t understand. Kind of like dieting, until you change your mindset and understand why you’re doing what you do your weight will keep yo-yoing through different diets.
Hey guys, love the show. I struggle with this dynamic where I’m all about budgeting and learning about how to best use my money while I’m in hustle mode to get out of a rut. When I come across money that would ultimately get me back to a place where I wouldn’t need to worry as much and could put everything I’ve learned into practice, it feels impossible to interact with my budget and I feel avoidant. Anyone else?
I'm sure the situation is very nuanced so I'm going to avoid providing a possible solution. I think it's great you're aware of this dynamic and maybe sitting in it for a few minutes could provide you with some next steps. Learning better money habits is a process-there will always be challenges to overcome but for me, personally, the ultimate goal is to keep moving forward, even if it's really small baby steps. I might not solve the problem I'm dealing with right away, but I'm moving in the right direction. ~Ernie
No no - for me, rule 3 is exactly where it should be. Don’t put age your money before ! I see it as a priority order. Your budget WILL NOT GUIDE your spending decisions if you don’t ajuste day-to-day. The picture needs to be accurate. Being a month ahead ? Nice to have, but many YNABers are not there yet, and the budget still works whether you are or not.
Maybe it’s just the things I listen to but everyone wants me to start new habits (AM meditation, AG1, grounding, cold plunge, sauna, ACV, Zone 2 cardio an hour a day…) and on and on and on. I only have so much capacity for the zillion habits I should be doing. But if they are Rules…yeah I’m a stereotypical first born child, I like rules and I will follow those babies!
I literally was just writing in my money journal about how my personal finance journey has been driven by mindset, so I'm all aboard with the change from rules to habits. "Rules" feel like we're focusing on what we do. "Habits" are not just about what we do but how we think.
I completely love the term habits. It makes it so much lighter, something to practice, rather than 'obey'. It feels more sovereign.
I'd even find a Ynab habit tracker kinda neat, especially for beginners.
And rule 4 is for me more like an overarching mindset and vision, than a rule or habit as the others. Therefore it works as the last and final thing to say. Especially as it's something that will probably be achieved later.
The mantra in another community i am familiar with is "progress not perfection". Calling them habits vs rules embraces that philosophy. Practice and progress is what you want.
I agree, it's all about progress and habits help people focus on the process! ~Ernie
Honestly, I kinda prefer rules. I'm a new YNAber, still in the weeds of expense-tracking rather than budgeting (especially with a partner who hasn't bought in yet), and the idea of having a few rules to follow sounds simpler to me than building habits.
That said, I guess I could do better with the habit-building of it all lol
Just got an email from someone who said, "I would say they are rules until they become a habit." I'm curious if this will be the same evolution for you! ~Ernie
I totally agree.. the rules have to be build as habits in my life before it works well. it took me almost two years with YNAB to really build the habit of setting aside money for future expenses and not using them to roll with the punches. I finally got it in my brain to ignore the non-monthly bills category every time I have to overspend and it takes a lot of repetitions until it feels natural.
Yessss for the Cadillac Ben!!! Drives like a boat is the perfect description.
I title and register cars for a living and I’m always thrilled when people rescue things from going to the junk yard and / or buy exciting things and I am so here for this. I hope it is a wonderful addition to your family ❤
Ernie - how did you ask that with a straight face? “Is this for controls freaks? Cause I’m a control freak” 😂🤣
I’ve had driving dreams and I think once I was in the passenger seat maybe lol
Also I don’t think I’ve ever watched Nacho Libre so now I will have to.
This car is too cool to go to the junk yard, at least not yet!
And definitely watch Nacho Libre. Just remember it's meant to be very silly and you'll have a good time! 😁 ~BenB
So, I really like your videos, stress-free easy to follow explanations of sometimes simple, sometimes complex budgeting details. But can I just mention that EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. At the beginning of the video, when Ernie says "Hi, I'm Ernie!" I expect the next phrase to be "And I'm Bert!". And it's not. It's Ben. And I'm in my late 40ies, it's been a while since I watched Sesame Street! But I'm still surprised every time I watch one of your videos. 🤣
In one video, I actually did say "I'm Bert" and very few people noticed. Have fun finding it! 🤣~Bert
@@YNABofficial 🤣 I'm looking forward to finding it...
me too.
I agree with Ernie - rule/habit 3 should be rule/habit 4. In my brain, it's 1. Plan for this month. 2. Set money aside for the future. 3. Create/Maintain a margin. 4. Make changes when absolutely necessary. Yay for the Cadillac!! I hope it ends up be a blessing for your family, and that your kids one day look back on the fun memories y'all made in your Grandpa's Cadillac!!
I like the word habits better than rules. It’s less rigid and easier to strive for than rule that seems so rigid.
+1 for the change to "habit" - very fun and informative as usual. Thank you!
21:39 Ever think about Rule 3 being for something positive?
I know we mostly talk about *covering overspending* but, image that you didn’t spend as much as you thought you might on Groceries at the end for the month. That spare money can now be tip into some of those NFS annual targets, like Vacation or Christmas (months in advance). Or, perhaps you tip it into some of those Saving Target type categories - like “Replacement Car” - which lower that category’s obligation for next month.
In my mind they too are Rule 3 (pure and simple) but, they come with a “this month is sweet” gratitude spin (sop it up I say!). That’s gold right there!! Gold, my friends 🎉
Good point-being able to adjust the plan so that you have more money for a savings or debt goal is gold! ~Ernie
Yep, this is what I do. At the end of each month, I sweep away the funds left over in my variable spending categories into one of my other long-term goals or wish farm items.
I commonly have that dream too, where I'm driving from the backseat, or the seat is wayyyyy back and I can't reach the pedals/steering wheel! Am such YNAB fan too, and it's brought my money stress down for sure!
Not sure this is a real win, but I officially feel like I am part of the family! Made my first feature suggestion. Hope it was a helpful one. Love the idea of habits instead of rules. Evokes the vibe of life long commitment instead of rigid guidelines. Its a choice made everyday.
Idk, I can see how the term rules might put people off or send the message that there's right way and a wrong way to YNAB, but personally I think referring to them as habits could be even more intimidating because it does take time to develop a habit... and that's just ONE habit. If someone told me I needed to develop 4 new habits all at once I'd be like, "Ain't got the bandwidth for that!" Maybe that's just me lol.
Personally I always thought of the four rules more along the lines of the four principles of YNAB, or maybe the four practices of YNAB. But I read the book before I started budgeting so I approached it from that perspective out of the gate.
You make a very valid point here! Thanks for the insight. ~BenB
Having money for those non-monthly expenses when they come up is truly amazing. Instead of it disrupting life and usually the fun in that month it's barely a thought. Barely having to think about it is so nice.
Agreed. Rule/Habit 2 was my fave at the beginning, and it still is 10 years later. ~Ernie
I do like habits more than rules!
This podcast is habit forming 😆
I am a beginner and find YNAB has a steep learning curve. I am having particular difficulty with credit cards and reconciling my accounts. I know I am making big errors as differences of thousands of dollars are the result. Much as I feel like abandoning YNAB in frustration, making the four rules into frequent habits is more likely to result in success, in a shorter time.
I might suggest that more (habitual) workshops in error correction and in fresh starts, will help deal with the frustrations a beginner may encounter. I am afraid of a fresh start as I don’t know what will happen to all my data, and at this stage of my learning, I will just keep making the same mistakes again.
I made a ton of fresh starts when I started YNAB! When you do this, YNAB keeps an archived copy of your original budget file so you will always have access to your old data. And the fresh start will copy over all your accounts, bank links, targets, categories so your focus becomes making sure you have accurate account balances and assigning jobs to your dollars. We are currently running a workshop called Restarting YNAB that might help. www.ynab.com/free-workshops/ ~Ernie
Love the idea of habits vs rules. My financial journey has definitely been an evolution. And YNAB has helped make my money habits stronger. Still not perfect but very different than even 5 years ago. Great analogy to mediation which is also a practice you 'come back to.' Thanks for another great episode! #teamhabits
I confess, rule 1 took awhile to adjust to when I first started YNAB. But now it is a habit, for sure. It needed to be a “rule” though, to work In Ynab- a force me to conform, but now it’s a habit.
I love calling them 4 Habits 🙂
I love love calling them habits instead of rules. This was a great episode!
Totally agree with Ernie, rearrange the habits!!! I never thought of it that way but for rule followers, it absolutely makes sense!
Thanks for the thoughts around 41:30. Totally needed that, I am going through some life changes , the money is there for these situations but it makes me feel deflated because of the numbers going down.
Habits makes a lot of sense to me, but perhaps we can call them the "four weird tricks to better your finances".
Jokes aside, I don't have the same negative connotation around the word "rule" like you describe, but I understand why that could be an issue for some people. "Habits" is a perfect word to describe how I actually feel about the YNAB principles.
Given that rule 3 is so closely tied to rule 1... What is your default category for that last $100 or $200 at the end of assigning your ready to assign amount?
Given today's grocery prices, I throw the last amount into groceries, since I tend to steal from there first when rolling with the punches. (I have a well stocked pantry and freezer and stockpile of backup toiletries and sundries)
Right now, I'm putting that money in a category I call Options, which is basically for major emergencies or new priorities that arise. ~Ernie
I love the idea of changing the word from rules to habits; however I believe that it’s semantics. It’s a psychological concept that people either will or won’t understand. Kind of like dieting, until you change your mindset and understand why you’re doing what you do your weight will keep yo-yoing through different diets.
@Ben, looks like a new Cadillac runs from $35k to $82k (Escalade). That would take me a bit more than 2 months! 😂
Pocket change! 🤣~BenB
Rules sounds so rigid! Habits to me are something that can be developed and used to make me a better budgeter and person😊
Hey guys, love the show. I struggle with this dynamic where I’m all about budgeting and learning about how to best use my money while I’m in hustle mode to get out of a rut. When I come across money that would ultimately get me back to a place where I wouldn’t need to worry as much and could put everything I’ve learned into practice, it feels impossible to interact with my budget and I feel avoidant. Anyone else?
I'm sure the situation is very nuanced so I'm going to avoid providing a possible solution. I think it's great you're aware of this dynamic and maybe sitting in it for a few minutes could provide you with some next steps. Learning better money habits is a process-there will always be challenges to overcome but for me, personally, the ultimate goal is to keep moving forward, even if it's really small baby steps. I might not solve the problem I'm dealing with right away, but I'm moving in the right direction. ~Ernie
Love the shirt Ben!
No no - for me, rule 3 is exactly where it should be. Don’t put age your money before !
I see it as a priority order. Your budget WILL NOT GUIDE your spending decisions if you don’t ajuste day-to-day. The picture needs to be accurate.
Being a month ahead ? Nice to have, but many YNABers are not there yet, and the budget still works whether you are or not.
You make a very good point, for sure. But I do think there are some good arguments on both sides. ~BenB
Rephrasing it as habits makes it positive instead of negative and therefore people are more likely to embrace them 😊
I read Atomic Habits this past year and I think I generally support the idea of YNAB’s 4 habits :)
Love habits!!
Loved habits better than rules
Is there a transcript or blog post of this? Videos aren’t very accessible for me. :(
Yes, there is a transcript at the bottom of the video description in UA-cam! ~Ernie
I like ideas of habits rather than rules but my question is what happens to 6 habits ?
That's a good question! Are they "the other habits"? "The smaller habits"? Maybe the other habits are more of a routine? 🤷♂️ ~Ernie
Can we younger nerds get a history lessons? When, why and how did the rules change?
We did an entire episode on the history of the rules! ua-cam.com/video/VQdE_6KwWUI/v-deo.htmlsi=LWSUsAa_vGfBXDJe ~Ernie
Four Practices :)
Was there an update on Ben's water bill? 😂
It's automated now and all is right with the world. 🙌 ~BenB
Second!
Folks are catchin' on! ~Ernie
🥳