From Budget Spreadsheets to Savings Success: Erin and Adam's Story

Erin and Adam turned money stress into financial success with MyBudget — building a home, saving for holidays, and staying on track with their savings goals without having to think about it constantly.

"Will MyBudget work for me?"

It is the question most people ask before they call. For Erin and Adam, the answer turned out to be a resounding yes.

They were not in crisis. They were managing — with spreadsheets, effort and a fair amount of mental load. What they did not have was a clear view of where it was all going.

"It has given us a full picture of our money." — Erin & Adam

What changed

Moving from a self-managed spreadsheet to a managed budget changed two things.

The first was visibility: income, expenses and savings mapped twelve months ahead, so they could see what was coming rather than reacting to it.

The second was automation: bills and savings handled for them, so progress did not depend on remembering, or on a good month of discipline.

"We saw where our money was going and got a plan for the future."

What they have achieved

Erin and Adam also feature on the MyBudget Loans page, having worked with the lending team on refinancing.

Why spreadsheets often stall

A spreadsheet is only as current as the last time someone updated it, and it does not pay anything. It shows you the past accurately and the future not at all.

That is the gap a managed budget closes: the plan runs whether or not you feel like opening it this week.

A note on results

This is one couple's experience, shared with permission. Results depend on your income, your expenses and your circumstances, and are not a prediction of what any other household will achieve.

Important information

This article is general information only and does not take your personal circumstances into account. MyBudget is a budgeting and money management service and is not a licensed financial adviser.

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How much did Erin and Adam save with MyBudget, and over what time period?

Erin and Adam saved over $70,000 for a house deposit in two years through MyBudget's tailored budgeting service.

What financial method did Erin and Adam use before joining MyBudget?

Before MyBudget, Erin and Adam managed their finances using a spreadsheet that they checked three or four times a day, tracking every dollar obsessively because they were scared of dipping into their savings for their apartment deposit.

Why did Erin and Adam's DIY spreadsheet system fail them?

Their DIY spreadsheet system failed to account for predictable but often overlooked expenses such as Christmas costs and emergency service levies, and Adam found the manual process time-consuming and stressful.

How did Erin and Adam get started with MyBudget?

Erin began working at MyBudget as a Personal Budgeting Specialist and recognized the value of its services for their own finances. Although Adam was initially hesitant, once they saw what MyBudget could offer, they committed to the service.

What was the turning point that gave Erin and Adam confidence in MyBudget?

The turning point came when they viewed their 12-month financial projection, which gave them the confidence and visibility they needed.

How much did Erin and Adam save annually by making homemade coffee instead of buying café coffee?

Replacing daily café coffees with homemade ones saved them $4,000 annually.

How did meal planning help Erin and Adam's budget?

Careful meal planning helped them reduce their weekly food bill to under $225 for a family of four.

How did Erin and Adam plan their family holiday to Fiji?

They planned a $5,000 family holiday to Fiji in just six months while Erin was on maternity leave.

Who wrote the article about Erin and Adam's MyBudget journey?

The article was written by Cheryl Hayford.

What milestones did Erin and Adam achieve with MyBudget besides saving for a house deposit?

In addition to saving over $70,000 for a house deposit, Erin and Adam achieved milestones like building a home, saving for holidays, and staying effortlessly on track with their savings goals.

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