To get started, visit You Need a Budget’s website or download the app for iPhone or Android. For this reason, the app keeps you focused on the money you have available before you spend it so that you have total control over where it goes. YNAB’s philosophy is that you have to be intentional about making a plan and sticking to it in order to actively change your spending habits. This way, you can plan where your money is going to go before you spend it. Unlike a lot of other budgeting tools, YNAB works by making you assign each free dollar to a category.

This way, you determine where your money will be going instead of waiting to see a summary of where it’s gone. What’s so great about YNAB is that it brings together all of your accounts and then prompts you to give each available dollar a job.

“It requires you to be forward-looking and intentional about every dollar it requires you to be aware,” the YNAB website reads, “but in return you’ll be in total control of your finances, and in so doing, your life.” The personal finance app stands apart from competitors like Mint and Personal Capital because of its proactive system. YNAB users claim that the app has helped them take control of their spending habits in life-changing ways. You Need A Budget (YNAB) is a website and app that launched in September 2004. If you’re thinking about signing up for YNAB online or downloading the app, here are five things to know:īelow, you’ll find detailed information on YNAB including how to start budgeting for free and what to expect once you’ve created an account. Unfortunately, the savings come at a cost of $14.99 monthly or $98.99 annually after a 34-day free trial. YNAB claims to save new budgeters more than $6,000 in their first year. While you can set up a budget on your own, there are tons of budgeting apps and websites that can set one up for you. It’s important to delegate where your money is going to go so that you aren’t left wondering where it went. If you have financial goals that you’re trying to achieve, budgeting is a crucial step. In this article, I’ll take a close look at five things to know about YNAB before you download the app.

I’ve set up a budget on YNAB, checked out what resources it offers and looked at other budgeting tools to see how it compares. If you’re thinking about downloading a budgeting app, You Need a Budget (YNAB) is a great option.

Ynab budgeting in 10 minutes