Jennifer wasn’t quite sure what she was getting herself into when she launched her business five years ago. “I started it the absolute wrong way,” she admitted.

She might not have known all the ins and outs of entrepreneurship, but she did know a thing or two about baking. “I started this little business out of my home,” she explained. It was the most wonderful time of the year, and she decided to make chocolate-covered cookies and decorate them to look like Christmas characters.

Little did she know this decision would change her whole life.

We all agree that education is important, but student loan debt in the United States recently topped $1.4 trillion. Yes, you read that right. Not million. Not billion. Trillion. That’s enough zeros to make your head spin!

And the worst part is that most students (and their parents) don’t know what they’re really getting into when they sign on the dotted line. We asked EveryDollar budgeters to share what they wish they had known about student loans before agreeing to take them on. Here’s what they said:

Making and sticking to a budget is the key to taking control of your money. It’s the secret weapon that can transform your finances. Plus, it’s actually pretty fun and really easy!

Once you start budgeting, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to start. But, if you’ve never budgeted before, getting it just right can take a little while. In fact, most people need about 90 days to perfect the process.

To get that I’m-the-boss-of-my-money feeling, you must be patient as you learn the ins and outs of budgeting. It’s like riding a bike. No one’s an expert at first. But if you stick with it, you’ll become an ace!

To help you power through the learning phase, here’s some of the best and most encouraging advice for new budgeters, from EveryDollar users just like you!

Inflate some balloons, cue up the noisemakers, roll out the crepe paper streamers . . . EveryDollar is turning 2!

In honor of EveryDollar’s second birthday, we’re throwing a party right here, and you’re invited. Here’s what we want our party guests to do: Take a few minutes to recognize how much your own life has changed for the better since you took control of your money with a budget. It makes us giddy to know you’re intentional about making a plan, sticking to it, and reaching your dreams!

Then, check out some of our favorite money wins that EveryDollar budgeters have shared with us over the past two years. See if you recognize any of their success stories in your own life! If you’re not where you want to be yet, keep pushing forward until you reach your own awesome goals. You can do it!

Making an EveryDollar budget helps Jody S. and her husband, Stephen, breathe easier. Like, $700-a-month easier.

That’s how much money they figured out they were overspending when they signed up in January and saw the numbers.

“We didn’t realize how much we spent on eating out and grocery trips,” Jody says. She adds they would spend $100 a month on little trips to Target and Walmart.

“We weren’t telling our money where to go, so we were just spending it! I remember looking back, saying ‘What did we buy this month? Where did it all go? We have no money!’” she says.