Question

I'm torn - for a few months I've been using the "Every Dollar" program online but then I stumbled upon the Budget Mom's instagram/FB and all her super awesome information. Has anyone used the "Every Dollar" program and then switched to the Budget by Paycheck work book? Trying to decide if its a good switch or just super similar.  

Answer 1

Your post makes complete sense. :) I personally liked the TBM workbook. It was just more fun for me to use and I was more motivated to actually use it because I enjoyed the experience. Good luck!  

Answer 2

I am confused by this post. why are you torn? Why can't you use both?  

Comments

Every Dollar is a $0 budgeting program Dave Ramsey has online for free.  

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@sorites8039 TBM also accounts for every dollar, zero based

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@vespers Yes, I'm just wondering if the workbook is a better resource. So I guess I'm wondering if there's anyone on this FB page who's used both resources and could let me know if the workbook was more user friendly and helpful. If that makes sense.  

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They're practically the same result, just called something different

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Ah I gotcha.  

Answer 3

I used ED then switched to the workbook that Miko has.  

Answer 4

I used both for a while to see what I liked better. I like mikos layout better. Easier to read and maneuver things.  

Answer 5

I have tried Every Dollar and it didn’t work for me. There is something about pen to paper that sticks with me better. I like to visualize and write it out myself. I don’t have TBM’s workbook (waiting for the new one to come out) but I do have her budget by paycheck printable worksheet and I really like it.  

Comments

I've tried ED as well but it didn't work. I found it too confusing. Plus, I too like the power of paper and pen. Right now I'm doing it in a regular ol notebook but would like to try the budget by paycheck workbook soon.  

Answer 6

I did not like ED at all. I’ve used BBP since January and really like it

Answer 7

I am a paper person so Miko's BBP workbook works for me. I tried every dollar, but it was not user friendly for me.  

Answer 8

I tried EveryDollar a few years ago and it didn’t work out for us. I like writing it down with pen and paper. It’s keep me more accountable.  

Answer 9

Even with the majority of our pay being monthly (like 3/4 of it), I never liked that ED made me budget the full month. It caused confusion because I could never make it match what I actually had in the bank. If I only budgeted what income we had at the moment, it would have been better but it’s not really designed for that. The issues with funds and stuff carrying over made me nuts.  

Comments

@archdiocese575 This. My husband likes using ED because he can see an overview of the month, but it doesn’t really click with me. I’ve started TBM’s version and getting my printable sheets in order along with her calendar and everything just makes more sense to me.  

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@archdiocese575 same! We get 2-3 paychecks per month and the every dollar app made no sense when that was the case. Bbp makes it EASY to keep up with

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@archdiocese575 this is the same problem I was having which is why I started searching for other resources (and found TBM. Just finished her email course and now looking to maybe buy the workbook)

Answer 10

To be honest, I use both. It may seem like overkill but it us what I do. :)

Comments

Same. I use both. I like the overview of the month and the paycheck budget.  

Answer 11

Me! But I love my budget by paycheck workbook. It’s more my visual and paper/pen style.  

Answer 12

The bbp workbook for me was sooooooo much easier to keep up with versus the every dollar app!  

Answer 13

I prefer the workbook, it has way more details and paper and pen make me more accountable.  

Answer 14

Yes, I prefer the workbook. More detailed, and easier to see what your have leftover to roll over, as well as where to make changes.  

Answer 15

I used Every Dollar for a long time, and made the switch to the Budget by Paycheck method back in October. I love using the workbook so much more because it lays out a method (bills, envelopes, sinking funds, etc. ) so clearly. I have saved more money in the last 7 months than I had in years. I also took the plunge and started using cash envelopes for my non-bill spending, and that has made a huge difference too. For whatever reason, this just clicked with me better and I'm not afraid to truly budget and spend down to almost nothing in my checking account now, and not once have I had an overdraft. Give it a try for a few paychecks and see if you like it.  

Answer 16

I use both. I like the overview of the month and the paycheck budget sheets. But once the new workbook is released I might give up ED. Currently just using free worksheets not the entire system.  

Answer 17

I prefer paper planning and each paycheck planning vs monthly therefore I prefer TBM

Answer 18

I tried ED and just couldn’t get into it. Didn’t totally click. I like pen and paper better so that was part of the problem too. BBP just made more sense and I was better able to stick with it and be disciplined about it. Same idea different execution I think and that made a difference to my mentality and habits.  

Answer 19

I use both, bbp works great for me and every dollar is easier for my husband to grasp so I use every dollar as a monthly recap. I find every dollar easier to get started with future months and then the bbp I use for current balancing

Answer 20

I hugely prefer the BBP workbook over Everdollar. Had every dollar plus for two years and it never worked well for me.  

Comments

@meningitis same!  

Answer 21

I couldn't get every dollar to work for me. It didn't make sense to budget an entire month when I get paid every other week.  

Answer 22

I tried everydollar app for 2 months and still didnt feel motivated to do a budget, I canceled it and I’m now using BBP workbook only. I wanted to use the app as a way “on the go” to track everything but it really didn’t work for me and I felt it wasn’t necessary after all

Answer 23

I switched . I had trouble bc everydollar doesn't really explain how to create a budget . I needed more explanation. Then I found TBM . And it all made sense !  

Answer 24

Since I budget based on the prior months income I like EveryDollar. I do not like having to write the same information over and over again. I use the free version because I feel like it helps me stay connected to enter all my own data. I know some people say it’s hard because it only does monthly but you are able to budget as money comes in. Like if I get small random deposits during a month I add them as a new income line and then distribute those funds to the appropriate line item in my budget. You could do your paychecks the same way.  

Comments

I had considered this toward the end but found YNAB and prefer that for an app (husband really likes seeing the remaining balance in the app).  

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@archdiocese575 my hubby is just a “give me my cash and you handle the rest” kinda guy. I definitely like YNAB’s process but when I first tried it was way too complicated to set up and they weren’t MAC friendly at the time (I know much has changed ) but I found Everydollar and it works for me and I don’t have to pay for it.  

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@thales True! I get it free as a student right now so we will see when that runs out in a year or two!  

Answer 25

I do not like every dollar. I have tried it a few different times and to me it just feels so redundant. Plus i hate seeing the red lol

Answer 26

I tried every dollar for a couple of months. Manual tracking with TBM workbook has made a huge difference for me! I love the worksheets that she includes and her YouTube videos!  

Answer 27

Everydollar didnt work for my brain. BBP works perfectly for me. Handwritten and visual and biweekly budgeting is best for my situation. I follow both DR & TBM and it's a perfect combination for my family

Answer 28

I think it just depends on what you are most comfortable with. I like the every Dollar app since I can add things to it from my phone. But, I do the majority of my life planning digitally as well. It is all based on what you are most comfortable with.  

Answer 29

Thanks for asking this question. I’m using ED right now. We have been better in our budget using it but feel we’ll eventually get tired of it. May be looking at switching soon too to help more with paycheck to paycheck and sinking funds.  

Answer 30

I prefer Budget Mom anything over Dave Ramsey to be honest. I feel like her ways are more realistic and for the every day person not a gazelle intense one.  

Comments

@halfcocked556 I’m a mixed bag! I started with Dave and some things make sense while others don’t. I love TBM flexibility and the way she drives home PRIORITIES and how PERSONAL finances are for each person. Also how she runs a community for SUPPORTING each other with room for healthy discussion and debate. Lots of point of views. I also go with some YNAB concepts!  

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@halfcocked556  

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@thales when I got kicked out of the Dave Ramsey group for not agreeing with one of his teachings I was over it to be honest. It was all over me being for contributing to your 401k while still paying off debt ‍♀️‍♀️

Answer 31

I'm a YNABer (similar to ED) & I use the BBP workout. I agree that they are essentially the same thing. But by using YNAB, it does the calculations for me. If I am off by a few dollars when I compare my YNAB logs to my bank account, it is easy to find the mistake and correct it. There is just too much human error if I solely relied on the BBP workbook. With YNAB, I am never off, not even by a penny. YNAB/EveryDollar is also good for those who are NOT cash spenders. I set my budget up in YNAB and stick to my budget. When my groceries in YNAB says, $0, I stop buying groceries, just like if I have $0 in a grocery cash envelope. I only track my spending in YNAB and not in BBP. But I do use BBP to budget each paycheck (I then transfer or make these changes on YNAB) and I also use the other pages she has like the debt and net worth. To each their own! Just make it work FOR YOU.  

Answer 32

I’ve done every dollar but I like pen to paper. And calculating it out - drives it home for me. So the BBP works for my brain better. Digital numbers didn’t make me “feel” anything. Like swiping my debit card, I don’t really feel that cash being taken out but I feel it when I hand over a $100 bill. But I can see where doing it digitally with an app like ED would work for others! I don’t do the cash method because it’s a lot of extra work but I stick to the pen to paper budget and use the trackers in my wallet to make sure I stay within the budget.  

Answer 33

I switched. I liked a lot of things about every dollar, but I wasn’t successful saving for my sinking funds. It was so easy to electronically reallocate the lines I found myself dipping and reallocating month after month. With the budget mom’s workbook and system I’ve been sticking to my sinking funds and saved so much money.  

Answer 34

I use both at same time. The every dollar app is a month view and I get the paid version included with my benefits at work. So it makes it easy to track expenses. I still use BBP for budgeting each paycheck and on paper helps me show hubby what's going on.  

Answer 35

I like the Budget by Paycheck workbook. I just don’t do well with apps. And you learn by writing. I like that I can pencil in expenses and then reduce amounts if needed to in other areas. I also am starting to use the calendar to pencil in items I need to get to keep me on track. I also have added some of my own pages in the workbook to customize it for us. We still do gas on. CC just to make it work and we earn cash back. I can track this. And other things. We are making progress in our financial goals which is the true test.  

Answer 36

I could never feel motivated to use any other program because I felt so restricted with my own money! He preached to purchase junk family cars unless they can be paid for in cash which isnt practical in the beginning of any budgeting journey. TBM is on a whole different page and what works for ME! LOVE MY MIKO ❤️❤️

Answer 37

I use both. It's taken time (more like trial and error) but I've tailored ED to match my Budget by Paycheck workbook. I really only use the paycheck worksheets in the workbook and I use ED to track all of our spending.  

Answer 38

I have EveryDollar because I went through fpu, I didn’t like it, I’m a pen and paper. So I had that app and 4 or 5 notebooks it was a mess! Then I found tbm and bought the paycheck work book printable. Best decision ever!  

Answer 39

Same as others I prefer pen and paper so I can see it all on one sheet

Answer 40

Best switch you will ever make! TBM is life!  

Answer 41

TBM worked better for me from a process standpoint because I have an easier time budgeting by paycheck rather than by month, but I do incorporate some of the Dave Ramsey principles as well, like the baby steps.  

Answer 42

I tried the app too. I just prefer paper.