I've tried to make a free YNAB alternative in Google Sheets. Here's the result.

The reason was that I don't really have a lot of money to budget and this month is due for annual YNAB payment. So I tried to replicate everything that I love so much about YNAB in Google Sheets.

I've spent hours and hours in ChatGPT creating google app scripts and formulas. I ALMOST finished, but there were still a lot of nuances. And you know what? Time and effort is simply not worth it. You will never achieve so simple and beautiful UX that you are used to. And also, "Ready to assign" calculation and money movements between categories is not as simple as it seems.

I've come to a conclusion that I'll just switch to the monthly payment for 15 $ / month, and switch to the yearly subscription when I be able to. I wish you all who try to find cheaper alternative to calculate how much time and energy you wasted on such activities, and forget about this idea once and for all.

Edit: After multiple guys suggested Actual Budget in the comments, I've realized that for real I just wasted my time trying to reinvent the week in Google Sheets.

And also, after examining Actual Budget: - it's a great and costs effective alternative to YNAB. - It even has more advanced goals system

BUT: - The UX in YNAB + the Toolkit chrome extension = a lot more positive experience. When I open the budget I INSTANTLY understand where I am, where something goes as planned , where I overspend etc.

In the Actual I have to strain my brain to comprehend what I see, I don't see exactly how much I should add to reach my goals for this month without clicking etc

So, I keep Actual in mind, BUT STILL prefer YNAB and consider its worth the payment.