Money Stories

Money Stories

Talking about money is taboo? Not here. Read real stories from real people. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and most of all—you’ll feel understood.

Talking about money is taboo? Not here. Read real stories from real people. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and most of all—you’ll feel understood.

Welcome to financial therapy

We all have our own private relationship with money, and sometimes we like to keep that under wraps. But sitting in silence with money stuff can lead to guilt, shame, embarrassment, or uncertainty. Sharing is caring! That’s why we’ve collected the following stories about money matters. Your situation, regardless of what that may be, probably isn’t as unusual as you think.

Read real life money stories

Student Loans

The Most Honest Account of $80K in Student Loan Debt You'll Hear

Well after 20 years, I paid off all my student loans. It wasn’t easy, but I made every payment on time. I couldn't have done it without YNAB.

Buying a Home

How to Save $30,000 in One Year: Our 3-Step Plan

Jacob and Connor saved $30,000 in one year for a down payment. Here's the three-step plan that turbocharged their saving.

“I Was That Girl”—The Turnaround Story of Dana Kay

One woman's random act of kindness made her realize how far she had come in finally breaking the paycheck to paycheck cycle.

Other resources…

Debt Stories

Youtube Playlist

How this Family Paid off $266k

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How Two People Fell in Love Thanks to Budgeting

This couple met in the unlikeliest of ways: through You Need a Budget, a budgeting app. See how two budgeters manage finances together.

February 7, 2020

One Couple Paid Off $120,000 of Debt in 10 Years

How does a normal person pay off $120K in debt? Here's a story of a couple that did just that, despite job losses and a growing family.

January 16, 2020

“I Was That Girl”—The Turnaround Story of Dana Kay

One woman's random act of kindness made her realize how far she had come in finally breaking the paycheck to paycheck cycle.

November 25, 2019

I Changed My Wedding Plans After a Surprise $40K Hospital Bill

Molly had just paid off her student loans and was about to get married. Then she had a surgery that resulted in a sky-high medical bill.

October 29, 2019

How Budgeting Was the Secret to Finally Quit Smoking

Melissa Schultz has smoked for as long as she can remember. Believe it or not, budgeting is what finally helped. Find out how.

October 22, 2019

How Kate Overcame Budgeting Guilt and Found Peace

Kate is no stranger to budgeting. After all, her mother is one of YNAB’s workshop teachers. But that doesn’t mean budgeting came easily.

Janelle Whitaker

How to Pay Off $52,000 in Student Loans in Just 21 Months

Jonathan and Miranda were young, in love, and had $52k in student loans. Here's how they paid off their student loans in just 21 months.

How Two New Parents Paid off $31,000 in 12 Months

Tune in to this episode of Debt Stories to hear how their money transformation really clicked when Tanya uttered the four magic words ...

Against Difficult Odds, This Couple Overcame Five-Figure Debt

It takes time and effort and some sacrifice, but we still managed to keep our cable and have a nice meal out because we budgeted.

Single Mom Pays off $46,000 in Debt in Just over a Year

Siobhan is a single mom living in Jacksonville, Florida, who wants financial peace. Find out how she's tackling $76,000+ in debt to get there.

February 22, 2019

Erin Realized That Retirement Was a Possibility

Even with a second job, Erin found herself in $35,000 of debt, not including her mortgage. Tune in to find out how she turned things around ...

February 8, 2019

Ben Paid off $57k & Bought His First Home

Thanks to YNAB, I’m finally able to financially prioritize my wants and needs, as I see fit. And I was able to pay off my debt and buy a home!

February 1, 2019

How Esteban Increased His Cash Flow by 55 Percent

“Having an affinity for tracking my expenses, I had no second thought about signing up. I just knew that it was what I needed and wanted."

January 25, 2019

Aloha, Debt. And, aloha, Debt!

Chelsea and her husband were newly wed and $215,000 in debt. Find out how they teamed up to fix their finances ...

January 11, 2019

Laura Found Love & Paid Cash for a Tesla

For nine years, Laura tried budgeting—with Quicken, Excel and Mint—and it just didn’t stick. But, with YNAB, it's her favorite hobby ...

October 26, 2018

“I Was Such a Forecasting/Spreadsheet Guy.”

"I realized that, not only did I not need to forecast, it might actually be hurting my efforts to establish good budgeting habits."

September 14, 2018

The Sweet Sound of YNAB Working

"After using YNAB, I went from being in debt to buying something I wanted to have for years—a vintage baritone sax for my jazz, plus all the paraphernalia."

August 24, 2018

From Hopeless to Zero Credit Card Debt

I was ashamed, sad, and I felt like an idiot. YNAB helped me carefully assign my money to the right categories and set me free.

August 17, 2018

From a Net Worth of -$40k to Homeownership

Jennifer, a 20-something IT analyst, used to buy every gadget that crossed her path. Now, her cousin calls her “The Queen of Cheap.”

August 10, 2018

Sydney’s Family Paid off $15k of Debt in Six Months

When Sydney and her husband faced a year and a half without income, they did what they had to do to support their family -- and succeeded!

Dealing with $263k in Debt, Job Loss & the Unknown

Brittany and Keith live in Marietta, Georgia, and they’d racked up $263,000 of debt—a number that used to keep Brittany awake at night.

They Paid off $30,000 in 3 Years on a $60k Salary

It's not about finding 1 place to save $100. You try to find a 100 places to save $1. If you cut back, you can move yourself ahead in life…”

How One Couple Paid off $30k in Just 15 Months

Andy is a pastor. His wife, Melissa, is a stay-at-home mom. When their debt reached $30,000, again, they knew they needed a new plan.

How My Family Survived Two Layoffs in One Year

My husband and I experienced the sting of job loss twice. I hope that you never lose your job but, if you do, maybe this can help.

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