ProjectX, I couldn't tell you, because I've never used Microsoft Money. YNAB has specific "rules" (4 to be exact) that is supposed to help you budget more effectively. You can read more information about that on that web site. I find it very effective for this purpose.
Specifically, its aim is to help you build a buffer, so that you always have at least a month's worth of income in your checking. If you receive a paycheck this month, for example, the goal is that you don't use it until next month.
The second rule is to make "every dollar have a job." You budget every dollar to specific categories, with nothing left over. One of these categories, of course, can be savings, so you can save whatever you want.
The third rule is the "rainy day fund." This is partly savings, but also preparing for bills that only occur every few months or, annually. If you have something that you must pay annually, you might put a twelfth of that into that category every month. Further, if you realize that you spend $xxx on, say, car repairs every year, you might put $xxx / 12 per month in that category.
Finally, the fourth rule is that if you overspend in a category, it is taken from your available amount the next month. For instance if you usually have $2,500 every month, and one month overspend by $50 in, say, groceries, you will only have $2,450 available the next month. Similarly, if you underspend, well that amount will simply carry over in the same category.
therefore, it is not only software, but a methodology as well.
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