Welcome to YNAB!
We’ll have you up and running in minutes!
YNAB is built around four rules. It’s best if you are familiar with them and how they work in the software. We encourage you to read about the rules before getting started. For now, we'll get you up and
Last Updated: November 3, 2016
How do I start over?
Lots of people start over to reorganize, or because they stopped using YNAB for a while and just want a fresh start.
Fresh Start:
saves a copy of your current budget
maintains your category and account structure
deletes all transactions and budget data
Last Updated: January 2, 2014
How do I start with a negative bank balance?
Starting in overdraft can seem overwhelming, but YNAB can help make it much more manageable. Your overdraft balance is considered debt because it is money you owe, and your goal should be to get rid of that debt as soon as possible.
If
Last Updated: September 25, 2012
What is Cloud Sync?
Cloud Sync keeps your YNAB budget up to date in real time across multiple devices. Out shopping and need to know your balance to make a spending decision? You can be confident you’re up to date. Have YNAB on two phones and one desktop in your family? You’ll
Last Updated: February 3, 2017
When can I start using YNAB?
The most important thing is that you can start today. You don't have to wait for the first day of a month and you don't have to go and gather a bunch of historical data. We recommend the following three steps:
These steps will work
Last Updated: February 12, 2013
What is Steam?
Steam is a digital distribution, digital rights management, multiplayer and communications platform developed by Valve Corporation. It is used to distribute games and related media online, from small independent developers to larger software houses. In October 2012, Valve expanded
Last Updated: January 6, 2014
Download and install YNAB, then open it.
When prompted to use Cloud Sync, click, “Yes! I’d like to use Cloud Sync.”
YNAB will check to see if you have Dropbox installed. If you do, you’ll see this screen:
If you don’t have Dropbox installed you’ll be
Last Updated: October 28, 2013
Do I have to wait until the 1st of the month to start?
No! Those new to budgeting are often confused about when to start. The answer is now! If you are feeling motivated to get your Budget started then jump in and seize the moment.
There are just a few things to keep in mind:
The past is
Last Updated: October 25, 2012
YNAB runs completely offline as locally installed software on your computer and doesn't need an Internet connection to run - except to utilize Cloud Sync.
If you already have the trial installed you don't have to re-install the software if you just purchased it. By default all
Last Updated: December 11, 2013
To save you some searching, we’ve organized the articles that new users find most helpful here in a linear fashion. You can also search for anything at the top of the support page. Keep your search words shorter for best results. Click the ‘View all topics’ button
Last Updated: August 4, 2014
Did you just purchase YNAB 4?
YNAB 4 is a completely new installation so you'll need to download it first if you haven't yet. It will arrive as a 'Trial' copy as all copies of our software do. You only need to paste in your key to remove the time limit and trial notices.
Once
Last Updated: December 11, 2013
Available to Budget
This is the amount of money that has been entered as income, but has not yet been assigned to categories (jobs). When you are first starting and do not have a buffer, your goal should be to save some money each month toward your Buffer. Eventually you will have enough of a
Last Updated: February 4, 2014
YNAB 4 requires the following minimum specifications in order to run:
Windows (8, 7, Vista®, XP)
1.6Ghz or faster x86-compatible processor
512MB of RAM (1GB recommended)
Mac OS X (10.6 - 10.13)
Intel Core Duo 1.83Ghz or faster processor
512MB of RAM
If your computer doesn't
Last Updated: February 15, 2018
During this webinar we demonstrate the new features in YNAB 4 including Cloud Sync, Reconciliation, Autosave and Versions, Improved Reporting and an all new design.
Last Updated: June 28, 2012
In this video we'll cover how the two different forms of income work in YNAB.
Last Updated: June 8, 2012
How to set up a checking account in YNAB.
Last Updated: June 8, 2012