The reason you don't want to have them in the starting balance is that they haven't cleared. Those will appear soon and they should be entered manually. Important Note: This starting balance should not include any pending transactions. So check your checking account(s), savings account(s), and credit card account(s) for the CURRENT balance as of today. There's no need, you can start right now! I hear it often, “Oh, since it is August 24, I'll wait until the first of September.” You can start using YNAB at any time and the best part is YNAB doesn't care if you are starting at the beginning of the month or the end of the month. Since every dollar has a job, you have to give it one! Check Your Starting Balances
In the budget view below, I set the amount at $1,000 since I paid off my credit card full that month. After transactions start appearing in YNAB, the credit card category will start to grow and be ready for you to pay off in full each month. Paying off the credit card each month – If you select this option, the current month is the ONLY month you will need to budget in the credit card category. Each month you will budget directly in the credit card category for your payment. YNAB will guide you and remind you about reaching those goals. Paying it off over time – If you are paying your credit card off slowly, you will need to follow YNAB goals. This can be done based on dollar amounts or by a certain date. This is an option for those that need time to pay it off.
There's a 34-day free trial so you can test drive it before you commit to it.
How to Build a Simple YNAB budgetįirst, you'll need a YNAB account.
YNAB is super flexible and quick which is why I love it.
Roll With The Punches – you can make adjustments at anytime.Embrace Your True Expenses – know where your money is going.Give Every Dollar a Job – allocate your money upfront.I have bolded these rules throughout the post so you can become comfortable with them and learn what they mean. There are 4 rules that the company teaches its users about the system.