Erin Lowell

Lead Educator at YNAB

Erin is a former choir teacher turned budgeting teacher, who manages the small but mighty team of educators at YNAB. She is always looking for ways to get people excited about budgeting, because budgeting actually is really exciting.

Erin started working at YNAB after using it to pay off the credit card debt she racked up during a long and unnerving period of home renovations on her old farmhouse. Over the course of her time at YNAB she’s taught over 100,000 people how to budget (which is roughly the size of the entire population of Green Bay, Wisconsin). She lives in Maine with a small collection of cats and a dog named Charlie. When the weather cooperates, she hikes the Appalachian Trail, and hopes to complete the entire trail someday. In the winter when the weather isn't so nice for hiking, she quilts for charity.

Erin’s favorite rule is Rule Three: Roll With the Punches, because she loves changing her mind.

Featured Articles

Minimizing the Stress of a Big Move

Life changes and, with it, priorities. Right now my priority is getting over this move. Here's how I reduced the financial stress of moving.

Can I Afford a Car? What the Calculators Won’t Tell You

Wondering how much car you can afford? Sure, you can use a calculator based on averages, but it doesn't tell you the whole story.

The No-Regrets Way to Spend Your Tax Refund

We asked YNABers—the pros at giving every dollar a job—how they plan to spend their tax refund money this year. Here's what they said ...

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All articles by

Erin

YNABing

Learn to Love Being (YNAB) Broke

Learn the difference between Regular Broke and YNAB Broke to understand how it's possible to love feeling like you're out of funds.

Real Estate

How to Budget for Buying a House

So you want to buy a house but not sure where to start on the money side of things? Here’s how to budget for a home purchase!

YNABing

What’s a Fresh Start in YNAB (and How Do I Do One?)

Use the YNAB Fresh Start feature for a do-over. Add, delete or edit your accounts, categories and allocations—and if you don’t like it? Just go back!

Food

How to Budget for Groceries in YNAB

You want your budget to be as simple as possible, but some categories can benefit from a bit more detail—groceries is one of them

Debt

Why I’m Thankful For My Credit Card Debt

You might think having credit card debt is all bad, but for me: there turned out to be a valuable silver lining.

Real Estate

How to Do Your Mortgage in YNAB

If you're wondering how to do your mortgage in YNAB, Erin lays out exactly how to set up a tracking account and categories to keep it tidy.

Personal Finance

Afraid to Spend Money Right Now? Let’s Talk

Feeling guilty about spending money now? With the world turned upside down, you’re not so sure you want to make that purchase after all.

Debt

How to Stay Out Of Debt (Forever!)

Stuck in the debt cycle? Let me guess, you're throwing everything at your debt payoff? Stop. Here’s how to stay out of debt forever.

YNABing

Why Doesn't My Account Balance Match My Budget?

Frustrated that your accounts don't match in YNAB? We'll explain how to get up-to-date info once and for all.

YNABing

Why Your Budget Doesn’t Work

You've tried this whole budgeting thing but it just doesn't work. Here's why your budget doesn't work (and how to make it so it does).

Food

Why It’s OK to Blow Your Grocery Budget Sometimes

I'm single and I spend $300 a month my grocery budget. This month I spent a lot more than that but I don't really care. Why not? Because I budget.

Real Estate

Minimizing the Stress of a Big Move

Life changes and, with it, priorities. Right now my priority is getting over this move. Here's how I reduced the financial stress of moving.