An Example of an Oxymoron

[+Tooterfish]

Spending $45 - $60 on software designed to help you improve your budgeting, when most of the features are offered for a fraction of the price, if not free, within competing software and online services. Your bank probably does all of these things for free in its online banking platform. First, and most important tip to budgeting your money: Is it really necessary, and can I find a cheaper alternative? I'm not going to tell you not to buy this, it is convenient, but the price tag is extortion for what it is.

[Super Arthritis ⁧⁧ ⁧⁧Man]

Shame you feel that way, but if you weren't interesting in this why are you here?

[RodeoClown]

Hi Tooterfish,
Using our method (and the software, which is not essential to the method), our users have an average turnaround in their first month of $200. It goes up from there.

You are definitely paying for convenience here though. You could replicate just about everything we do if you were willing to spend the time, but then the question is "how much is your time worth"? For you, it may well be better to not purchase this -- and we aren't going to force you to!

One thing to consider with regards to Mint (I'm guessing that's the online service you are meaning -- we've got a comparison here between us and Mint: http://www.youneedabudget.com/ynab-vs-mint ), and your bank, is that they have a vested interest in having you spend money, and getting loans, and defaulting on your credit cards. Our interest is in having you be in control of your finances, not the bank.

Finally, the most important tip to budgeting your money is not finding a cheaper alternative, it's "in what way can I most effectively use this money I have". Cheaper isn't always better!

Have a great Christmas Tooterfish, and thanks for your comments!

[+Tooterfish]

Flo Bot eredeti hozzászólása:

Shame you feel that way, but if you weren't interesting in this why are you here?

Because I take an interest in my finances, and after reviewing the features closely I felt I had a helpful opinion to share, and I like to think adults can express their opinion without explaining why.

[hugdealer]

tooterfish makes a good point. it's kind of ironic trying to sell someone things that claim they can help them save money.

your software does something that math cannot?
i would imagine anyone dedicated enough on getting out of debt and money problems,
AND self motivated to do something about it could just use pen and paper.
or excel, or any number of free or extremely cheap options.

i don't think a software program like this will honestly impact anyone's life.
other than making them hopefully realize they shouldn't be buying random garbage.

which brings me to another point...
steam sure is adding a lot of CRAP lately.

it's insulting to pc gamers to keep seeing all this crappy software.
we've been using the internet for a long time and know how to search for great products..

this software is very american. reminds me of how people sell the whole diet idea.
buy our plan! it's so much easier and more efficient!!!
well, you could just eat basic unprocessed food and exercise and get the same result.

check your local store for pen and paper sales if you want to get your finances on track.

[RodeoClown]

Hi Eel Dad,
I'm sorry you feel that way - we have seen LOTS of people's lives impacted.
Seriously, getting emails from users saying we've helped save their home/car/marriage makes us feel it's definitely worth it.

That said, of course the software is just for convenience, you can do all this on paper. The method is the import bit, and the software just makes it easier to follow the method: http://www.youneedabudget.com/method

There's a free book at that link you can check out. I'm not going to pressure you to buy the software, but definitely check out how we deal with managing your finances via the link above.

[Qieth]

I think I wouldn't need a budget if I could just sell that damn elephant!
Sorry, I just came here to post this "joke". I don't need the program (heck, I probably do), but I think it's a good idea, especially if it's well made and easy to use :)

[hugdealer]

if your goal was to change lives, your software would be freeware and you could make money off donations. don't care about your ebook trying to sell me on your software.

can you please repost some details from people who claimed your software saved their marriage? that's quite the claim to make!

it's just funny, a salesmen telling me all about how to fix my budget.

furthermore steam is primarily a game based site / client.
the advertisement on your website seems to be tailored toward a very sterile way of living.
i don't think most gamers plan out their every dollar, for the entire month.
which is why i said, if someone REALLY had the motivation to change their life..
they don't need a computer program to aid them.
it's eerily similar on how people sell you on the perfect body, or perfect anything.

there are free alternatives, and honestly learning to do this type of thing without a computer would benefit someone infinitely more.

[NotAvailable]

To be honest. 45-60 isn't really all that much. Whilst software probably shouldn't be on steam in the first place, you really shouldn't underestimate the difference a good piece of software can be to saving time.

I do agree though, gamers don't need this kind of software. It did get greenlit though, so at least someone is going to buy it.

[Qieth]

Why shouldn't software be on Steam? It's only logical to expand Steam to different areas, seeing as Steam is coming out with a "PC" soon

[RodeoClown]

Eel Dad - the book talks about the method, which is the bit that works. There's no big sell on the software in there (in fact, I just skimmed through it again, and while it's mentioned, I don't think there's more than a link to our page).

The method is the bit that changes lives, and you can implement that for free just fine.

If you want to read some details on people's claims about YNAB, we've got a whole page on it here: http://www.youneedabudget.com/method/customer-stories (and those are real people, with their own emails). I was using the software for a year before I started working here - I'm one of the developers, not a salesman (not officially anyway).

You are right that no-one needs the software. Of course they don't. It just makes it much easier to manage things than on paper (you effectively have someone checking you for mistakes as you go). No one is forcing you to buy it either.

You seem really bitter about us being on Steam. If you don't buy the software, or try the demo, then it won't show up in your client, and at most you'll occasionally see us on the Steam store page, so we aren't hurting you at all. I do appreciate your comments though - it definitely gives us some things to think about as to how we market YNAB in the future.

[OG dark]

Im a full time student so I dont really even have an income to budget, but I'm still interested in this software. I think stuff like this is a great idea to have on steam, as long as it doesnt get flooded with tons of programs that all do the same thing. For the guy saying they dont 'NEED" this, well people dont technically need accountants either, do they?

[hugdealer]

steam needs a filter for garbage like this, like they do for DLC.
yes i'm bitter about your software essentially invading my forced gaming client.
it just kind of begs the question, well what next?

like playing games? balance your budget!
i mean the whole thing is ridiculous.
and arguably counter intuitive to steam.
if people start using this and balancing their budgets, they probably won't buy
nearly as many sale items from other people. you're kind of hurting the community.
i don't understand why people can't just research software on their own.
it's insulting that steam / companies like this assume this is the end all application.
ever seen let me google that for you? yeah..

[RodeoClown]

If you read through the book, you'd realise that people keen to play games would probably end up spending MORE on games after using YNAB than they do now ;)

[Nerji]

T.H.Time eredeti hozzászólása:

I do agree though, gamers don't need this kind of software.

I'm married and my wife is a gamer - we both work full time and we are pretty interested in the software. Not all gamers are students or youth.

[Andrew]

Oh, boo hoo eel dad.

I can't fathom why a well-packaged money-saving digital product on a digital distribution platform offends you so much. It's insulting to me that you think Steam, as an already excellent platform, owes you anything.