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YNAB

Working hard with nothing to show for it? Use your money more efficiently and control your spending and saving with the YNAB app.

YNAB

YNAB Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether YNAB is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • YNAB Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-12-23

Features & Specs

  1. Effective Budgeting Methodology

    YouNeedABudget (YNAB) uses a unique budgeting approach based on four key principles that encourage intentional spending, which can lead to better financial health.

  2. User-Friendly Interface

    YNAB has a clean and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical proficiency.

  3. Comprehensive Educational Resources

    YNAB offers a variety of educational resources, including tutorials, webinars, and workshops, which help users understand and implement effective budgeting strategies.

  4. Goal Tracking and Reporting

    The app provides robust goal tracking and reporting features that help users monitor their financial progress and make necessary adjustments.

  5. Cross-Platform Accessibility

    YNAB is available on multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and Web, ensuring users can access their budgets anytime, anywhere.

Badges & Trophies

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Videos

Beginners guide

YNAB Review (2024): The 4 Rules, Pros and Cons

YNAB Budgeting App Review | NerdWallet

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about YNAB and what they use it for.
  • Show HN: Wealthfolio 2.0- Open source investment tracker. Now Mobile and Docker
    Clickable link: https://ynab.com I'm a huge fan of You Need A Budget, it was instrumental in giving me control over my finances. It feels like a superpower to see all my money in one place and not care which bank account the dollars actually reside. Also makes it easier to take advantage of various offers (Credit card or things like HYSA) since I know all the records will live in YNAB and I have full control... - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Is $250 a month in disposable income livable for a family of 3?
    You'll be going into a tight budget time, so get a really good system in place. If you don't have that you love already, I recommend YNAB (youneedabudget.com). It's envelope based and is really good for planning ahead for irregular expenses and for "rolling with the punches" if something comes up. It works differently than traditional monthly budget, so take time to use all the resources to learn the system. ... Source: about 3 years ago
  • LPT Request: What is your favorite life hack that has saved you money, time, or made your day-to-day activities easier?
    I also said in a comment below, I use YNAB to track my financial life. This strategy only works if you have enough confidence in your finances to know that if I gave you a card with 100k credit limit, you would never spend more on it than what you have in your bank and has been budgeted for. If not, I cannot overstate how important it is to get your budget in order beforehand. Thereโ€™s zero money saved if you pay... Source: about 3 years ago
  • Fund future vacations
    If you arenโ€™t already giving every dollar you make a job, earning more money will only get you so far. Check out YNAB, read all the free content about learning to plan and budget. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Tracking savings goals
    Track it by hand or in software. I started out with just a spreadsheet, but since then moved my whole budget to YNAB (youneedabudget.com), where you track all your individual savings goals as well as how your money will be used to cover regular (and irregular) expenses. Now the whole plan is in one place, and covers everything from how much is set aside for gardening supplies for this summer to the big... Source: over 3 years ago
  • My grandfather passed away and left me 25k. I have next to no savings and I owe money on a couple credit cards and a car. Almost 40, how do I maximize this?
    Aside from all the other advice, get a subscription to YNAB (youneedabudget.com) and start using it religiously. It will help prevent any backsliding and will put you in a much better financial situation going forward. Source: over 3 years ago
  • YNAB changed their URL?
    Am I the only one that's still working on the old youneedabudget.com domain? Is this a slow rollout? Source: over 3 years ago
  • YNAB changed their URL?
    Anyone who does not want to be victim of phishing, identity theft, etc. Yes, I am also pretty sure that ynab.com used to redirect to youneedabudget.com. Source: over 3 years ago
  • YNAB changed their URL?
    Looks like YNAB changed or redirected their URL from youneedabudget.com to simply ynab.com. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Budgeting App
    Youneedabudget.com should get you started. It has an annual fee but financial peace of mind I have now is worth it to me for about $100/yr. They have a 30-some day intro trial, I believe. It generally takes a couple weeks to get into the swing of it, but once you do I would argue you won't feel comfortable managing money any other way. Source: over 3 years ago
  • I received 30k and I am 30k in debt. Do I use it all for the debt?
    Sign up for https://youneedabudget.com immediately and start following the four rules and creating (and sticking to) a budget. Unless you do this, you'll be back in debt very soon. Use this $30,000 gift as your first step into financial security. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Does anyone know what budgeting app(s) I can use with Alliant?
    Iโ€™ve used YNAB for almost three year. Game changer for me and they have a great Reddit community. I sync my Checking, Savings and Signature Visa. Works perfectly. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Feeling quite a bit lost
    Another note, I personally don't like the 50/30/20 rule. I have always watched my budget closely, I started with my own excel tracking then several years ago switched to YNAB (youneedabudget.com) and its been really great. Once you know exactly what your spending on bills, then you can figure out what to do with the rest of that money. You are young yet so have plenty of time to figure things out, the important... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Married. 3 kids. Broke and not sure how to fix it.
    Sounds like You Need a Budget. http://youneedabudget.com/ They recognize that "budget" is a scary word, which is why they promote you do what you need to do with your money. Source: over 3 years ago
  • I'm turning 31 and I've never had a credit card. I've tried a few videos, and I still have absolutely no idea what I'm doing
    The more important part of building your credit is budgeting. I use a tool called ynab. If the annual price is too steep look up envelope budgeting. This is the most important thing you can learn to keep yourself out of credit card debt. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Debt relief with pension
    Making budgeting a new life skill (and finding an app you like enough to use) http://youneedabudget.com. Source: over 3 years ago
  • AMEX relief program, is it worth it?
    Setup a budget if you haven't already. See youneedabudget.com and r/ynab for help. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Looking for a budgeting app that works for part-time workers
    See http://youneedabudget.com (YNAB) for explanations and training, or check out Nick True Mapped Out Money on YouTube. YNAB is pricey, but it's really slick. If you cannot swing it, at least learn the principals. Source: over 3 years ago
  • $7000 a month in bills how tf do I keep it up...
    Variable income,works really well with YNAB ( http://youneedabudget.com ) because you plan and budget only with the money you have so no guessing about future income. Source: over 3 years ago
  • LPT Request: Advice for living alone for the first time?
    You need a budget. You can make your own, or sign up for youneedabudget.com (not an advert, I use it and it transformed my personal finances). Source: over 3 years ago
  • Unsure of my options for debt
    I've been using https://youneedabudget.com/. Check out subreddit r/ynab/. Source: over 3 years ago

Summary of the public mentions of YNAB

YNAB, which stands for "You Need A Budget," is a notable player in the personal finance and budgeting software industry. It stands out in a crowded field that includes competitors such as Mint, Quicken, and Personal Capital. Recent mentions and discussions in the industry reflect a generally positive public opinion about YNAB, especially among users seeking simple yet effective budgeting solutions.

YNAB's unique selling proposition is its emphasis on proactive financial management through its zero-based budgeting system. This methodology encourages users to allocate every dollar of their income to specific expenses, savings, or financial goals, fostering increased financial awareness and discipline. This approach differs from tools like Mint, which traditionally focus on tracking past spending patterns. YNAB's method is seen as more forward-thinking, aiming to help users avoid the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck.

The software's user interface is often compared to a spreadsheetโ€”familiar and straightforwardโ€”allowing users to categorize their expenses based on the actual cash available in their accounts. This aspect makes budgeting more transparent and manageable for those focusing solely on their budgeting needs. However, as noted in various reviews, YNAB may not be the best fit for users looking to track investments, where alternatives like Personal Capital might be more appropriate.

Several industry articles highlight YNAB's ease of use, especially praised for its setup process and ability to sync seamlessly with bank and credit card accounts. The tool is likened to having a positive-minded professional guide users in creating their budgets, as noted by Wirecutter, enhancing user experience with practical advice and encouragement. YNAB also features a 34-day free trial, allowing potential users to explore its functionalities without immediate commitment.

Despite its subscription model, which some users may be hesitant about, YNAB claims that users typically see significant financial improvements shortly after adopting the platformโ€”reporting average savings of $600 within the first two months and up to $6,000 in the first year. This statistic underpins the software's value proposition in helping users regain control over their financial situations.

YNAB's compatibility across platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, adds to its appeal, ensuring that users can manage their finances conveniently across different devices. However, it's worth mentioning that some long-time users prefer older versions of the software due to one-time payment structures, highlighting a potential area of reluctance towards subscription-based pricing.

In conclusion, YNAB is well-regarded in the personal finance software market for its emphasis on disciplined budgeting and financial education. While it requires a subscription, many users find the investment worthwhile due to the platform's structured approach to budgeting and proven results in helping improve financial outcomes. Those looking for a straightforward budgeting tool will find YNAB a compelling choice, although it may not fulfill needs related to investment tracking or more holistic financial management, where other competitors might excel.

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Is YNAB good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss YNAB here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.