Method 3 is what I use as YNAB is the only budget I’ve ever used and it just seemed easiest. So I closed a lot of accounts and dumped them in my checking. So easy! 2 years ago 26 days age of money to 147 days today!! You’ll get used to seeing big $$$ in your checking account!
Recently started banking with a credit union with a 3.45% *checking* account. This was a game changer for switching to method 3. So much easier to track things using just one account and not have to worry about transfers all the time.
Wow just the video I needed to see. I am now 9 months into using YNAB and I've largely been using method number 2 and running into periodic balancing issues with accounts and categories. I get it now...and I'm ready for this mindset shift. My goal this month will be to consolidate all my money into at most 2 accounts, a "high yield" savings and a checking. I'm not sure I'm ready to ditch the saving all together yet lol.
@7:45 this is so true; When I started YNAB, just THIS YEAR I was skeptical and never thought I'd be the type of person who has thousands of dollars in my checking account and yet be able to control what I spend. I'm so happy to say that I carry over $10,000 in my checking account (well, between my brokerage and checking, but that is too involved to explain here) but I still live on such a tight budget. That is exaclty why i still have that money sitting in my checking account. I almost never look at that amount when I make purchasing decisions and am often surprised (still!) that I have that much set aside
Thank you this was extremely helpful! Two days left on my trial and I just signed up for one year today! Using method 2 for now with a goal of getting to method 3,
This was great and helped a lot. I have been on YNAB since 2015 and have always done it by what you call budget #2. Last year I found out about the tracking feature and this year I am doing the budget with what you call budget #1. I wanted to get more use out of YNAB, but wasn't understanding the problem I was having with the multiple Savings accounts. I retired in 2022 and this year I am wanting to learn more about YNAB and what it can do for my husband and myself. I handle all the bills and keep track of everything. I will be watching some more of your videos as you explain this so well😄
I’m just putting this out there, most credit unions main account is the savings account and you are required to have in order to have a checking account. I currently get .50% on savings so my on budget savings gets me about $300 year in interest (a months worth of food). I know it’s not a lot, but it’s better than nothing.
Totally get that D Payne. For some people it's probably worth it to have a savings. But to get $300 at 0.5%, you'll need to have $60,000 in cash sitting in that account for 12 months. And the average American just doesn't have that kind of money in cash. For most people the mental headache of making transfers isn't worth 0.5% on $1k - $10k. But again, you're totally spot on. This certainly isn't true for everyone and there are times where it will totally make sense to maintain money over there. Really appreciate you sharing your perspective.
Another great video. I've been using YNAB for less than a month and your videos have really helped retrain my thinking to fully embracing method #3. I'm very happy to have found your series!
Nick, thanks for another great and clear video! I use a combo of methods 2 and 3. Your teaching has been essential to my use of YNAB (which I now love) and has changed our financial life. Thanks!
I definitely appreciate the breakdown of methods. It seems like what would work for me is a mix of Method #2 for cash stored in a HYSA, and Method #1 (Tracking) for CDs, I-Bonds, etc., that are "locked up" for a time. What I already store in my HYSA is my EF and True Expenses that are due on a period of 6 months or greater.
Method 3 is what I prefer. I have 2 accounts and the reason for doing so is one that you didn't mention in your video; security. In the event that someone gains access to my checking card, or account, they can't clean out ALL my money. I have my emergency and long term savings in a separate account so I can live off that while I wait for any potentially fraudulent losses to be remedied.
100% that's the single most important reason to keep at least one account separated from your checking. I keep a hefty emergency fund in a saving account, I don't need to track that and I don't really need to add to that often (once it was built to its current balance). In case anything goes wrong with my checking security wise, my emergency fund is separated and untouched.
I was creating separate budgets to manage multiple bank accounts. I am trying Method #2 this year. Thanks for the info! Super helpful. One challenge I did find with YNAB is setting up a target for my Auto Payment that is bi-weekly. YNAB doesn't give me this option, only either weekly, monthly or yearly. Even custom only has Monthly and Yearly. So I broke it down to weekly amounts but it would still be great to have a bi-weekly option to match what is going to be taken by the bank.
Ive tried a few times to budget several accounts in this way and it really messed things up! In the end I just use YNAB to budget my bills and everyday spending and the rest is allocated to separate savings accounts tracked with an old school spreadsheet. I honestly dont know which method takes more time but at least there is no risk of severely f*ing up the numbers. Also thats just me, I truly appreciate these videos Nick❤️
I feel like I use a mix of all three methods. My IRA has weekly contributions, but is a tracking account because I really only reconcile once a month for market fluctuations. My emergency fund and travel savings are matched up with the bank account balance since I used to get better interest when I created them and I don't want to touch them yet (I will probably consolidate eventually). And finally everything else is method 3 and I just make sure I have enough for my most important payments and other than that it doesn't matter.
I have tried doing method 2 for years and I hated it. The amount of upkeep it needed was just irritating to me, and I didn't like that I had a whole category group in the way of my other stuff. I now use method 1 and that works out best for me. My other accounts are really just for savings purposes, so I am not really spending from them anyway.
I'm curious which method would work best when you split bills with a significant other, but want to budget together. Currently we each have our own bank accounts and handle different payments.
The reason I have multiple bank accounts is because I received a large amount of money as a one time payment but split it into several accounts because I don't want to go over the $250k that FDIC will insure per person per account.
This video really helped me understand YNAB better. I'm one of those people who has 7 or 8 savings accounts, all for different goals. I was wondering: if you have automatic deposits going to several of the accounts per month, what is the best way to record those deposits?
Where i am there are vastly different interest rates for saving for yout first house. It is 6,6% and you can save a certan amount and you will get tax benifits, thereafter you can save unlimited amounts for the same goal with 4,5%. in my eyes thats alot to miss out on using just one debit account.. but i see the point on changing where you organize it all
Nick, athe reason I keep a savings account is that it has no connection to the internet, so I feel it is a bit more secure, so that is why I keep a savings account.
Really appreciate your videos a lot! They've all been really helpful. Only criticism I have is, it would be great if you wouldn't shake the mouse all over the place (example: 13:30), it's distracting from the point you are making.
Hi Nick, I really appreciate your videos. I can see how YNAB can help me focus on living my priorities. I do have a technical question, I am "trying" to use method 1 -tracking method. But I am not sure how to cover my on budget amex exspenses with my off budget savings? It's a little confusing
I'm going to have to watch this again to fully grasp. This is my first month using YNAB. I have to have several accounts because I get payments in my online store to my Shopify Balance account and to my Paypal account. I also live in France, so I have a French account. (I do my French account in a separate budget) I currently have my budget set up using the Accounts as Master Categories and my monthly bills in each master account category. However, I didn't do my non-monthly expenses by account. Maybe that's where I got off track. I'm already way off in YNAB and I think I need to start over. Ideally, I think maybe I should get another checking account that I funnel my Paypal and Shopify into and Budget from the 3rd. Or maybe spend from my Shopify Balance account which gives me some cash rewards and just funnel my Paypal into my Balance account. I understand the Physical location vs. Budget Categories - but having a hard time wrapping my head around how it works with multiple accounts. Really appreciate your videos. Little by little I'm getting it!
Great video, has made me rethink how I am seeing money. I have gone 85% fully there. I have closed one savings account with the majority of savings in and put that into my current account and that has allowed me to fully fund all my catergories for the next two months. I have kept two smaller savings accounts, one for emergencies, this is my second emergency account, my other is within my budget, and the other is some spending money for a holiday I will be going on shortly and it needs to be in an account I can use abroad. Basic silly question now, moving forward, do I just keep funding ahead, so in my case into month three? I presume the advantage is that it gives me a buffer between available funds and the need to fill catergories. I hope that will allow me more wiggle room to start saving better than I am.
I think a lot of it has to do with how much money we're talking about. If I'm only saving $100 a month toward a car downpayment, that doesn't need its own savings account, at least not for a while. A fully funded emergency fund of 3-6 months of expenses, however, is going to be a sizable amount of money I don't want sitting in my checking account for non-budget reasons. One being the measly interest in "high yield" savings accounts, although you can bump this up a bit by making the account a CD or money market instead. Just seems silly not to take the extra $100 a year or whatever you can get. The other reason to separate money out away from your main spending checking account is one I don't think anyone else mentioned - SECURITY! My checking account is connected to lots of credit card accounts, and several bill pay accounts. Anything in that checking account is at risk if a nefarious actor gains access to that account. Yes, generally you'll get that money back from the bank, but you won't have it while they're doing their initial investigation/response. What if rent/mortgage is due tomorrow? Not only do I keep my large savings goals in separate savings accounts, but at a different bank altogether from my main checking account. I like your approach that accepts that people have legitimate reasons for not keeping tens of thousands of dollars in a single checking account.
Yup! Absolutely. What you describe isn't the average person's situation (the average person in the US can't afford a $400 emergency without using a credit card) - but it absolutely is a concern after you reach a certain amount saved. Personally, I hold 1 - 2 months of money in checking and all my short-term savings (like christmas money) there because it makes my life easy and simple. And if a bad actor did get access, the money is FDIC insured and I have money elsewhere I could use to pay bills. But you're totally right that it is likely foolish to hold every dollar you have in that single checking account once you've built up an emergency fund from a security perspective. Really appreciate your thoughtful comment Annie, thanks so much for taking the time!
I agree with having the emergency fund in a separate "high-yield" savings account. Despite the miniscule returns and interest rates over the past few years, they have already begun to go back up, and they'll continue to climb. So like you said, may as well get a little something in a savings account instead of a few cents in a checking account.
I put treasury bond under Tracking, and then ask me to category & assign it. The money is already out of budget, and how come do I still have that money assign to the category？ or should I put treasury bond under budget?
Can someone explain to me how the con example for Method #2 - the $100 charge on the credit card to the AirBnB then requiring a bank transfer to "true up" the category with the account - does not also apply to Method #3? .... My thinking at the moment... and please correct me; I want to understand. In Method #3, there'd still be $100 in the small trips category and that money could still be held in the Savings account... what I don't understand about Method 3 is that if that $100 is taken from the checking account when the credit card is paid... at some point, the checking account will have less than what's needed to cover the other expenses spent from that account.... because I spent $100 from checking that I had originally stored in my savings account. Method 3 will eventually require you to "true up" the categories with the accounts the same as Method 2... but Method 3 doesn't have the structure to support doing that that Method 2 does.
I'm assuming method #2 could also work when switching from one bank to another, since I don't want to get tripped up with the timing of auto-deposits into the right account and autopay pointed to the correct account when your not a month ahead yet?
Ah!! I'm brand new, using option 2. I just got set up and all of my categories have available balances that match their given account's balance. But somehow I have $342 over-allocated. What can I do about this?
I'm using method #3. My savings account is linked to a category. My issue is that I only see inflows automatically added. How do transfers from savings to checking (both are on budget) show up in the budget automatically?
Hi, Nick--I'm trying to do Method #1 and I did Fresh Start. However, I don't know what it's supposed to look like. All my accounts now show a zero balance. I'd like to change my savings accounts to be Assets, but I don't see any way to do that. Can you please help? Thanks!
Hi Nick. Now that interest rates are on the upswing, it makes sense to park money that won't be used within the next, say, 6-12 months, into a high(er) yielding savings account. I use method 3, but when I want to move money into savings (off budget), it totally messes things up. Do you have a tutorial about this or do you do 1:1 consulting work on this? Thanks.
im having a dilemma, my rent as of now until august comes out of my savings. how can i make that show, but also make it show when im adding money from my checking to my savings?
I currently use method 2 and while it is a pain in the butt I just don't see how to get away from it. My whole paycheck goes into my savings- then deposits $100 into savings and $125 into a Christmas Club (which I can not withdrawal from until November) and then the balance of my paycheck goes into my Checking. I have the savings account -#1 cause my Credit Union requires it and #2 to "try" to keep my from spending that $$. So I don't see how I can get to method 2 to method 3. Any help would be appreciated
I want to love YNAB, and method three, and in my head, I DO love it - but I find it fascinatingly confusing to keep all my money in one account. To me, that would just add a deep layer of complexity that I just can't stomach. Right now, I'm reading Ramit's book (IWTYTBR), and he likes to split things off and "send money to X account for X purpose" etc., which is a system I like a lot. But at the same time, I do love your method 3 too... man. I can't figure this stuff out. It's the same convoluted, complicated mess that I've found YNAB to be every single time I try to use it. It's overwhelmingly complicated, at least to me. Maybe it's not, but to me, it just gets crazy. But I know I need to start embracing it... just not sure how to get past the complexity of it all.
haha, dude. I totally get it. Big fan of Marko and Ramit and what they teach. That being said, when YNAB finally clicks it's like putting your financial goals on steroids. If you're willing to give YNAB one more go, I'd encourage you to check out this video here and simplify as much as possible for a bit: th-cam.com/video/n5MgDQK3zGs/w-d-xo.html
@@mappedoutmoney Amazing, Nick! Appreciate your willingness to jump in and offer up some helpful tips. Truly appreciated, so thank you. I'll check out that other video above right away!
Nick, what about protecting your money from hackers and online fraud? I am hesitant to give my checking account away to online sites. So having $100k just sitting in my checking account available from some hacker to jump in and liquidate it scares me so I like to just keep immediate spending needs in checking and the rest in savings. thoughts on how to do that?
Actually I think I figured it out. I'm just going to take all the "Available" or Left Over dollars from January (now that it's February) and move that money into my physical Savings account, and leave the rest in Checking as that's money that is funding categories that will be spent in February.
Yup! That's perfect Jason. This video is definitely made for the "average" YNAB user, who doesn't have $50k+ chilling in a checking account. But you're absolutely right, that at some point, you probably want to take money off the table. What I would do in that scenario is leave about a months worth of money in my checking account, move the rest to a physical savings, and still implement method 3 in the video. Meaning, don't try to match up a specific category with a specific savings account. Just have all the accounts on budget, still use your categories for jobs and decision making, but only keep roughly 1 - 1.5 months of spending in the checking.
Not using anything special. Just the default dark mode is what I've got. I just checked, and it's the "default" color. Wish I could be more helpful. It may be my iMac settings as everything is default yellow
I can't really understand how you are just telling folks not to use high interest savings accounts. Literally leaving free money on the table. I have 30k in a savings account right now and it is returning over 100$ a month. I get that it would be easier to have one account for everything, but for a personal finance channel, this is bad personal finance advice that will cost you thousands of dollars over the course of a decade.
I completely agree. This video was filmed when “high interest” was still under 1%. A lot has changed since then. Also, the average person in the US can’t pay for a $1k emergency in cash. Much less do they have $30k in cash. I now only recommend option 3 in this video :) and I also use a HYS for exactly the reason you describe.
It was a big mental shift when first using YNAB to conceptualize that account balances and category balances are not linked. Once we got it, though, it became the most powerful (and liberating!) idea to enable us to maximize our YNAB usage. Method #3 all the way!
Great video, thanks Nick, I appreciate your effort. Personally I use a mix of 2 and 3. There are some edge cases when multiple bank accounts are necessary, like FSA or HSA accounts, or when you have automatic payments for your fixed payment loans and a dedicated account for that only purpose can make sense so you never overdraft.
Yup! Great points Ivan. There's definitely some fringe cases where it makes sense to have a second account on the budget. Glad to hear you've got a mixture of 2 and 3 going that's working for you. Appreciate you sharing.
I've had accounts for every sinking fund and I never had any issue matching it up with YNAB. But after a quarter with YNAB, I'm going to be simplifying, even switching banks just to see how I'd feel about having (gasp) only three accounts. Pretty nervous about changing a way that's worked for me for so long... but might as well give it a shot.
Awesome Tesla! Would love for you to report back in a month or two and let us know how it's going. I think you'll like the simplification once you pull the trigger. Appreciate you sharing!
Hey, firstly thanks for your videos - you've helped me set up YNAB and properly budget my money. I'm using Method #1, and there's two points I wanted to make about it: 1. Some of those short-term savings take a few months before they're spent. There's plenty of easy-access, penalty-free accounts that pay some monthly interest. I'd be missing out on some easy money if I kept it all in my current account. 2. I don't think it's necessary to create one savings account for each savings goal. I have different saving categories for different goals, but I only have on easy-access tracking account where that money goes. I feel this is as close as possible to the YNAB mentality, while also recognizing some of the benefits of having multiple accounts.
Thanks for this, it all makes more sense now! You mentioned using your "values" system - I had a look and can't see a specific video you've made about it - can you point me to anything relevant please? Cheers!
Another reason to have multiple accounts is because each gives me a different bonus but on limited amount of funds so we spread the money to maximize those bonuses :)
Totally get that, if you've got enough money and time to make that worth it, you can definitely get some extra bonuses this way :) Appreciate you sharing
Fantastic video Nick! You should be a teacher for YNAB. I have always used Method #2 and I also set-up scheduled transactions as a reminder that $ from checking will automatically be physically transferred to savings every pay day. I just like always seeing the available $ in the Category Group main line to match my account balances on the left.
I love #3, but since I’ve been saving to buy a house, I don’t want to keep all of that money in checking. I have a temporary savings account, but once I buy the house I’ll have all my savings in my checking account.
Totally get that Gaby! With the downpayment, that can be a more significant amount so I totally understand wanting to keep it separate at Yotta. Appreciate you watching!
How would we make something like cash budgeting method for sinking funds as assets? Or would you recommend doing a savings? I’m trying to go to digital, but I’m old school with envelopes. I’m bad, if it’s in my account, to me it’s there to spend, I rather not have anything or close to nothing in the bank.
Great video but I hoped you give an example of how to use the method 3. If you have two bank accounts, one checking and one savings how do you know which account to use when making a purchase? If I budget for a vacation and I don’t have sufficient money in my checking account wouldn’t I have to constantly look at the bank accounts to determine which one would support that trip?
watched 5 times, I still don't get 3 method. I know what I have to do and it's pretty easy, but what about next month? and month after that? how do I know how much money is together dedicated to my savings after let's say 4 months?
If I go from Method #2 to Method #3, how do I consolidate without losing data? I currently have two separate budgets connected to two separate accounts.
Another great video. Another reason that someone may use Method 1 or 2 is if they share accounts with another person like a spouse who does not fully understand or use budgets. It sometimes helps them to understand what is money to spend and what isn't.
Great video, helped me out a lot. One reason I run a savings account is to not have all of my money in a checking account. If your checking account is hacked you are not able to retrieve what is lost, or at the least it's very difficult. If I have a savings that I have set up to NOT automatically cover an over draft I have peace of mind that a healthy chunk of my money is more protected.
Just watched this again. I want to work towards the 3rd option. Speaking to the "Gotcha" in that method - how do you make sure you have enough money to cover everything? I know that sounds like a "Duh" question and maybe is, but I'm having a hard time understanding how you make sure you have enough money. My goal is to eventually be one month ahead, so that will help. Won't your budget tell you if you don't have enough money?
Personally i just make sure i have 1-1.5 month’s worth of expenses in my checking. Whatever that number is is the lowest balance I’d like to see. If checking gets up to 2 or more months worth then i know its time to transfer some over to savings. If you have specific big purchases coming up, or CC bills being paid, you can enter scheduled transactions in YNAB and turn on the running balance. That will show you what your expected checking balance will be after those transactions.
Thank you for awesome video!. I just moved from other finance system to ynab and it clarified a lot of things for me. One question that I didn't clarify yet is "Is it okay to have not all money assigned to categories?". I already put money in rent, groceries, payments, etc but it is still not zero. How important is to try and reach zero?
It's important for your own sake.. you should use the leftover money to contribute to long term goals (say a new car) or to simply start funding next month's bills. This is what allows you to eventually have enough money budgeted to cover your entire next month before getting to it.
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:39 - Accounts vs Budget
6:50 - Why YNAB Accounts Act This Way
8:00 - Reasons For Savings Accounts
10:19 - Method #1
15:50 - Method #2
23:14 - Method #3
Method 3 is what I use as YNAB is the only budget I’ve ever used and it just seemed easiest. So I closed a lot of accounts and dumped them in my checking. So easy! 2 years ago 26 days age of money to 147 days today!! You’ll get used to seeing big $$$ in your checking account!
That's awesome Michelle! That's amazing. Huge congrats on that growth and discipline :) Thanks for sharing!
As usual Nick - your videos are still helping me! I think I have now watched this particular one 3 or 4 times in my YNAB journey. SO helpful!!
Thanks Angie! Glad it helped!
Recently started banking with a credit union with a 3.45% *checking* account. This was a game changer for switching to method 3. So much easier to track things using just one account and not have to worry about transfers all the time.
Totally agree. I do the same thing these days with Ally bank!
Wow just the video I needed to see. I am now 9 months into using YNAB and I've largely been using method number 2 and running into periodic balancing issues with accounts and categories. I get it now...and I'm ready for this mindset shift. My goal this month will be to consolidate all my money into at most 2 accounts, a "high yield" savings and a checking. I'm not sure I'm ready to ditch the saving all together yet lol.
Don’t ditch the savings altogether right now, interest rates are finally going up to something approaching worthwhile for HYSA!
@@anniemilakovic7683 good advice! I noticed my recent interest payments were a little more than measly peanuts recently.
@7:45 this is so true; When I started YNAB, just THIS YEAR I was skeptical and never thought I'd be the type of person who has thousands of dollars in my checking account and yet be able to control what I spend. I'm so happy to say that I carry over $10,000 in my checking account (well, between my brokerage and checking, but that is too involved to explain here) but I still live on such a tight budget. That is exaclty why i still have that money sitting in my checking account. I almost never look at that amount when I make purchasing decisions and am often surprised (still!) that I have that much set aside
Amazing. Congrats on this!
Thank you this was extremely helpful! Two days left on my trial and I just signed up for one year today! Using method 2 for now with a goal of getting to method 3,
This was great and helped a lot. I have been on YNAB since 2015 and have always done it by what you call budget #2. Last year I found out about the tracking feature and this year I am doing the budget with what you call budget #1. I wanted to get more use out of YNAB, but wasn't understanding the problem I was having with the multiple Savings accounts. I retired in 2022 and this year I am wanting to learn more about YNAB and what it can do for my husband and myself. I handle all the bills and keep track of everything. I will be watching some more of your videos as you explain this so well😄
I’m just putting this out there, most credit unions main account is the savings account and you are required to have in order to have a checking account. I currently get .50% on savings so my on budget savings gets me about $300 year in interest (a months worth of food). I know it’s not a lot, but it’s better than nothing.
Totally get that D Payne. For some people it's probably worth it to have a savings. But to get $300 at 0.5%, you'll need to have $60,000 in cash sitting in that account for 12 months. And the average American just doesn't have that kind of money in cash. For most people the mental headache of making transfers isn't worth 0.5% on $1k - $10k. But again, you're totally spot on. This certainly isn't true for everyone and there are times where it will totally make sense to maintain money over there.
Really appreciate you sharing your perspective.
Certainly the case today. Am able to get 1.8% with certain banks here in Europe on savings accounts. It does add up!
Another great video. I've been using YNAB for less than a month and your videos have really helped retrain my thinking to fully embracing method #3. I'm very happy to have found your series!
Thanks Greg! So glad the videos have been helpful for you
Nick, thanks for another great and clear video! I use a combo of methods 2 and 3. Your teaching has been essential to my use of YNAB (which I now love) and has changed our financial life. Thanks!
Thanks Elaine! So good to see you. Glad the combo methods of 2 and 3 are working well for you. Hope you're having a good year so far :)
It's like I was blind but now I see! Thank you so much! This is such a great video :)
I definitely appreciate the breakdown of methods. It seems like what would work for me is a mix of Method #2 for cash stored in a HYSA, and Method #1 (Tracking) for CDs, I-Bonds, etc., that are "locked up" for a time. What I already store in my HYSA is my EF and True Expenses that are due on a period of 6 months or greater.
Method 3 is what I prefer. I have 2 accounts and the reason for doing so is one that you didn't mention in your video; security. In the event that someone gains access to my checking card, or account, they can't clean out ALL my money. I have my emergency and long term savings in a separate account so I can live off that while I wait for any potentially fraudulent losses to be remedied.
100% that's the single most important reason to keep at least one account separated from your checking. I keep a hefty emergency fund in a saving account, I don't need to track that and I don't really need to add to that often (once it was built to its current balance). In case anything goes wrong with my checking security wise, my emergency fund is separated and untouched.
I was creating separate budgets to manage multiple bank accounts. I am trying Method #2 this year. Thanks for the info! Super helpful. One challenge I did find with YNAB is setting up a target for my Auto Payment that is bi-weekly. YNAB doesn't give me this option, only either weekly, monthly or yearly. Even custom only has Monthly and Yearly. So I broke it down to weekly amounts but it would still be great to have a bi-weekly option to match what is going to be taken by the bank.
Ive tried a few times to budget several accounts in this way and it really messed things up! In the end I just use YNAB to budget my bills and everyday spending and the rest is allocated to separate savings accounts tracked with an old school spreadsheet. I honestly dont know which method takes more time but at least there is no risk of severely f*ing up the numbers. Also thats just me, I truly appreciate these videos Nick❤️
The best explanation I have ever saw about the structure of how YNAB transfer the money between accounts inside the budget and outside the budget
So glad it helped Fadi!
I feel like I use a mix of all three methods. My IRA has weekly contributions, but is a tracking account because I really only reconcile once a month for market fluctuations. My emergency fund and travel savings are matched up with the bank account balance since I used to get better interest when I created them and I don't want to touch them yet (I will probably consolidate eventually). And finally everything else is method 3 and I just make sure I have enough for my most important payments and other than that it doesn't matter.
That's great Megan! It's totally common to use a mixture of the methods. Appreciate you watching, and glad you found a combination that works for you!
i use method 2 nick i have a couple bank accounts and you are a life saver thanks for the video
I have tried doing method 2 for years and I hated it. The amount of upkeep it needed was just irritating to me, and I didn't like that I had a whole category group in the way of my other stuff. I now use method 1 and that works out best for me. My other accounts are really just for savings purposes, so I am not really spending from them anyway.
I'm curious which method would work best when you split bills with a significant other, but want to budget together. Currently we each have our own bank accounts and handle different payments.
The reason I have multiple bank accounts is because I received a large amount of money as a one time payment but split it into several accounts because I don't want to go over the $250k that FDIC will insure per person per account.
This video really helped me understand YNAB better. I'm one of those people who has 7 or 8 savings accounts, all for different goals. I was wondering: if you have automatic deposits going to several of the accounts per month, what is the best way to record those deposits?
Where i am there are vastly different interest rates for saving for yout first house. It is 6,6% and you can save a certan amount and you will get tax benifits, thereafter you can save unlimited amounts for the same goal with 4,5%. in my eyes thats alot to miss out on using just one debit account.. but i see the point on changing where you organize it all
Thanks Nick, as always great info
No problem Cyndi! Glad it helped.
Nick, athe reason I keep a savings account is that it has no connection to the internet, so I feel it is a bit more secure, so that is why I keep a savings account.
Really appreciate your videos a lot! They've all been really helpful. Only criticism I have is, it would be great if you wouldn't shake the mouse all over the place (example: 13:30), it's distracting from the point you are making.
Hi Nick, I really appreciate your videos. I can see how YNAB can help me focus on living my priorities. I do have a technical question, I am "trying" to use method 1 -tracking method. But I am not sure how to cover my on budget amex exspenses with my off budget savings? It's a little confusing
I'm going to have to watch this again to fully grasp. This is my first month using YNAB. I have to have several accounts because I get payments in my online store to my Shopify Balance account and to my Paypal account. I also live in France, so I have a French account. (I do my French account in a separate budget) I currently have my budget set up using the Accounts as Master Categories and my monthly bills in each master account category. However, I didn't do my non-monthly expenses by account. Maybe that's where I got off track. I'm already way off in YNAB and I think I need to start over. Ideally, I think maybe I should get another checking account that I funnel my Paypal and Shopify into and Budget from the 3rd. Or maybe spend from my Shopify Balance account which gives me some cash rewards and just funnel my Paypal into my Balance account. I understand the Physical location vs. Budget Categories - but having a hard time wrapping my head around how it works with multiple accounts. Really appreciate your videos. Little by little I'm getting it!
Great video, has made me rethink how I am seeing money. I have gone 85% fully there. I have closed one savings account with the majority of savings in and put that into my current account and that has allowed me to fully fund all my catergories for the next two months. I have kept two smaller savings accounts, one for emergencies, this is my second emergency account, my other is within my budget, and the other is some spending money for a holiday I will be going on shortly and it needs to be in an account I can use abroad. Basic silly question now, moving forward, do I just keep funding ahead, so in my case into month three? I presume the advantage is that it gives me a buffer between available funds and the need to fill catergories. I hope that will allow me more wiggle room to start saving better than I am.
I think a lot of it has to do with how much money we're talking about. If I'm only saving $100 a month toward a car downpayment, that doesn't need its own savings account, at least not for a while. A fully funded emergency fund of 3-6 months of expenses, however, is going to be a sizable amount of money I don't want sitting in my checking account for non-budget reasons. One being the measly interest in "high yield" savings accounts, although you can bump this up a bit by making the account a CD or money market instead. Just seems silly not to take the extra $100 a year or whatever you can get.
The other reason to separate money out away from your main spending checking account is one I don't think anyone else mentioned - SECURITY! My checking account is connected to lots of credit card accounts, and several bill pay accounts. Anything in that checking account is at risk if a nefarious actor gains access to that account. Yes, generally you'll get that money back from the bank, but you won't have it while they're doing their initial investigation/response. What if rent/mortgage is due tomorrow? Not only do I keep my large savings goals in separate savings accounts, but at a different bank altogether from my main checking account.
I like your approach that accepts that people have legitimate reasons for not keeping tens of thousands of dollars in a single checking account.
Yup! Absolutely. What you describe isn't the average person's situation (the average person in the US can't afford a $400 emergency without using a credit card) - but it absolutely is a concern after you reach a certain amount saved.
Personally, I hold 1 - 2 months of money in checking and all my short-term savings (like christmas money) there because it makes my life easy and simple. And if a bad actor did get access, the money is FDIC insured and I have money elsewhere I could use to pay bills. But you're totally right that it is likely foolish to hold every dollar you have in that single checking account once you've built up an emergency fund from a security perspective.
Really appreciate your thoughtful comment Annie, thanks so much for taking the time!
I agree with having the emergency fund in a separate "high-yield" savings account. Despite the miniscule returns and interest rates over the past few years, they have already begun to go back up, and they'll continue to climb. So like you said, may as well get a little something in a savings account instead of a few cents in a checking account.
I put treasury bond under Tracking, and then ask me to category & assign it. The money is already out of budget, and how come do I still have that money assign to the category？ or should I put treasury bond under budget?
Can someone explain to me how the con example for Method #2 - the $100 charge on the credit card to the AirBnB then requiring a bank transfer to "true up" the category with the account - does not also apply to Method #3? .... My thinking at the moment... and please correct me; I want to understand. In Method #3, there'd still be $100 in the small trips category and that money could still be held in the Savings account... what I don't understand about Method 3 is that if that $100 is taken from the checking account when the credit card is paid... at some point, the checking account will have less than what's needed to cover the other expenses spent from that account.... because I spent $100 from checking that I had originally stored in my savings account. Method 3 will eventually require you to "true up" the categories with the accounts the same as Method 2... but Method 3 doesn't have the structure to support doing that that Method 2 does.
How does YNAB work if I pay all of my monthly bills with credit cards, then pay the credit card balance each month?
I'm assuming method #2 could also work when switching from one bank to another, since I don't want to get tripped up with the timing of auto-deposits into the right account and autopay pointed to the correct account when your not a month ahead yet?
Ah!! I'm brand new, using option 2. I just got set up and all of my categories have available balances that match their given account's balance. But somehow I have $342 over-allocated. What can I do about this?
I'm using method #3. My savings account is linked to a category. My issue is that I only see inflows automatically added. How do transfers from savings to checking (both are on budget) show up in the budget automatically?
Hi, Nick--I'm trying to do Method #1 and I did Fresh Start. However, I don't know what it's supposed to look like. All my accounts now show a zero balance. I'd like to change my savings accounts to be Assets, but I don't see any way to do that. Can you please help? Thanks!
Hi Nick. Now that interest rates are on the upswing, it makes sense to park money that won't be used within the next, say, 6-12 months, into a high(er) yielding savings account. I use method 3, but when I want to move money into savings (off budget), it totally messes things up. Do you have a tutorial about this or do you do 1:1 consulting work on this? Thanks.
im having a dilemma, my rent as of now until august comes out of my savings. how can i make that show, but also make it show when im adding money from my checking to my savings?
I currently use method 2 and while it is a pain in the butt I just don't see how to get away from it. My whole paycheck goes into my savings- then deposits $100 into savings and $125 into a Christmas Club (which I can not withdrawal from until November) and then the balance of my paycheck goes into my Checking. I have the savings account -#1 cause my Credit Union requires it and #2 to "try" to keep my from spending that $$. So I don't see how I can get to method 2 to method 3. Any help would be appreciated
I want to love YNAB, and method three, and in my head, I DO love it - but I find it fascinatingly confusing to keep all my money in one account. To me, that would just add a deep layer of complexity that I just can't stomach.
Right now, I'm reading Ramit's book (IWTYTBR), and he likes to split things off and "send money to X account for X purpose" etc., which is a system I like a lot. But at the same time, I do love your method 3 too... man. I can't figure this stuff out.
It's the same convoluted, complicated mess that I've found YNAB to be every single time I try to use it. It's overwhelmingly complicated, at least to me. Maybe it's not, but to me, it just gets crazy. But I know I need to start embracing it... just not sure how to get past the complexity of it all.
haha, dude. I totally get it. Big fan of Marko and Ramit and what they teach. That being said, when YNAB finally clicks it's like putting your financial goals on steroids. If you're willing to give YNAB one more go, I'd encourage you to check out this video here and simplify as much as possible for a bit: th-cam.com/video/n5MgDQK3zGs/w-d-xo.html
@@mappedoutmoney Amazing, Nick! Appreciate your willingness to jump in and offer up some helpful tips. Truly appreciated, so thank you. I'll check out that other video above right away!
Nick, what about protecting your money from hackers and online fraud? I am hesitant to give my checking account away to online sites. So having $100k just sitting in my checking account available from some hacker to jump in and liquidate it scares me so I like to just keep immediate spending needs in checking and the rest in savings. thoughts on how to do that?
Actually I think I figured it out. I'm just going to take all the "Available" or Left Over dollars from January (now that it's February) and move that money into my physical Savings account, and leave the rest in Checking as that's money that is funding categories that will be spent in February.
Yup! That's perfect Jason. This video is definitely made for the "average" YNAB user, who doesn't have $50k+ chilling in a checking account. But you're absolutely right, that at some point, you probably want to take money off the table.
What I would do in that scenario is leave about a months worth of money in my checking account, move the rest to a physical savings, and still implement method 3 in the video. Meaning, don't try to match up a specific category with a specific savings account. Just have all the accounts on budget, still use your categories for jobs and decision making, but only keep roughly 1 - 1.5 months of spending in the checking.
Hey Nick, what google chrome theme is that? I like the yellow accent on the search bar.
Not using anything special. Just the default dark mode is what I've got. I just checked, and it's the "default" color. Wish I could be more helpful. It may be my iMac settings as everything is default yellow
I can't really understand how you are just telling folks not to use high interest savings accounts. Literally leaving free money on the table. I have 30k in a savings account right now and it is returning over 100$ a month. I get that it would be easier to have one account for everything, but for a personal finance channel, this is bad personal finance advice that will cost you thousands of dollars over the course of a decade.
I completely agree. This video was filmed when “high interest” was still under 1%. A lot has changed since then. Also, the average person in the US can’t pay for a $1k emergency in cash. Much less do they have $30k in cash.
I now only recommend option 3 in this video :) and I also use a HYS for exactly the reason you describe.
It was a big mental shift when first using YNAB to conceptualize that account balances and category balances are not linked. Once we got it, though, it became the most powerful (and liberating!) idea to enable us to maximize our YNAB usage. Method #3 all the way!
That's awesome Andrew! You're totally right that it's a huge powerful shift once you make it.
Great video, thanks Nick, I appreciate your effort. Personally I use a mix of 2 and 3. There are some edge cases when multiple bank accounts are necessary, like FSA or HSA accounts, or when you have automatic payments for your fixed payment loans and a dedicated account for that only purpose can make sense so you never overdraft.
Yup! Great points Ivan. There's definitely some fringe cases where it makes sense to have a second account on the budget. Glad to hear you've got a mixture of 2 and 3 going that's working for you. Appreciate you sharing.
I've had accounts for every sinking fund and I never had any issue matching it up with YNAB. But after a quarter with YNAB, I'm going to be simplifying, even switching banks just to see how I'd feel about having (gasp) only three accounts. Pretty nervous about changing a way that's worked for me for so long... but might as well give it a shot.
Awesome Tesla! Would love for you to report back in a month or two and let us know how it's going. I think you'll like the simplification once you pull the trigger. Appreciate you sharing!
Hey, firstly thanks for your videos - you've helped me set up YNAB and properly budget my money.
I'm using Method #1, and there's two points I wanted to make about it:
1. Some of those short-term savings take a few months before they're spent. There's plenty of easy-access, penalty-free accounts that pay some monthly interest. I'd be missing out on some easy money if I kept it all in my current account.
2. I don't think it's necessary to create one savings account for each savings goal. I have different saving categories for different goals, but I only have on easy-access tracking account where that money goes.
I feel this is as close as possible to the YNAB mentality, while also recognizing some of the benefits of having multiple accounts.
Thanks for this, it all makes more sense now! You mentioned using your "values" system - I had a look and can't see a specific video you've made about it - can you point me to anything relevant please? Cheers!
Nick , You are amazing great video. Thank you.
Awesome Jorge, so glad it helped!
Another reason to have multiple accounts is because each gives me a different bonus but on limited amount of funds so we spread the money to maximize those bonuses :)
Totally get that, if you've got enough money and time to make that worth it, you can definitely get some extra bonuses this way :) Appreciate you sharing
Fantastic video Nick! You should be a teacher for YNAB. I have always used Method #2 and I also set-up scheduled transactions as a reminder that $ from checking will automatically be physically transferred to savings every pay day. I just like always seeing the available $ in the Category Group main line to match my account balances on the left.
Thanks Shara! So glad you enjoy Method #2 and keeping everything nice and matched up. Appreciate you watching.
I love #3, but since I’ve been saving to buy a house, I don’t want to keep all of that money in checking. I have a temporary savings account, but once I buy the house I’ll have all my savings in my checking account.
Also, I’ve had great returns with Yotta savings so it has been worth the extra effort!
Totally get that Gaby! With the downpayment, that can be a more significant amount so I totally understand wanting to keep it separate at Yotta. Appreciate you watching!
How would we make something like cash budgeting method for sinking funds as assets? Or would you recommend doing a savings? I’m trying to go to digital, but I’m old school with envelopes. I’m bad, if it’s in my account, to me it’s there to spend, I rather not have anything or close to nothing in the bank.
Great video but I hoped you give an example of how to use the method 3. If you have two bank accounts, one checking and one savings how do you know which account to use when making a purchase? If I budget for a vacation and I don’t have sufficient money in my checking account wouldn’t I have to constantly look at the bank accounts to determine which one would support that trip?
watched 5 times, I still don't get 3 method. I know what I have to do and it's pretty easy, but what about next month? and month after that? how do I know how much money is together dedicated to my savings after let's say 4 months?
Very helpful Nick. Thank you!
Thanks Jane! Glad it helped
If I go from Method #2 to Method #3, how do I consolidate without losing data? I currently have two separate budgets connected to two separate accounts.
Another great video. Another reason that someone may use Method 1 or 2 is if they share accounts with another person like a spouse who does not fully understand or use budgets. It sometimes helps them to understand what is money to spend and what isn't.
Great video, helped me out a lot. One reason I run a savings account is to not have all of my money in a checking account. If your checking account is hacked you are not able to retrieve what is lost, or at the least it's very difficult. If I have a savings that I have set up to NOT automatically cover an over draft I have peace of mind that a healthy chunk of my money is more protected.
With method 3 how about with your investment accounts? Do you throw all those accounts into the budget category instead of tracked?
We use method 1 because we have credit cards or interest rates tied to having bank accounts at certain banks.
I use method 2.
Thanks for watching Darlene!
Thanks Nick! Your clear teaching style is the best!
Thank you best info for YNAB
Just watched this again. I want to work towards the 3rd option. Speaking to the "Gotcha" in that method - how do you make sure you have enough money to cover everything? I know that sounds like a "Duh" question and maybe is, but I'm having a hard time understanding how you make sure you have enough money. My goal is to eventually be one month ahead, so that will help. Won't your budget tell you if you don't have enough money?
Personally i just make sure i have 1-1.5 month’s worth of expenses in my checking. Whatever that number is is the lowest balance I’d like to see. If checking gets up to 2 or more months worth then i know its time to transfer some over to savings. If you have specific big purchases coming up, or CC bills being paid, you can enter scheduled transactions in YNAB and turn on the running balance. That will show you what your expected checking balance will be after those transactions.
Thank you for awesome video!. I just moved from other finance system to ynab and it clarified a lot of things for me.
One question that I didn't clarify yet is "Is it okay to have not all money assigned to categories?". I already put money in rent, groceries, payments, etc but it is still not zero. How important is to try and reach zero?
It's important for your own sake.. you should use the leftover money to contribute to long term goals (say a new car) or to simply start funding next month's bills. This is what allows you to eventually have enough money budgeted to cover your entire next month before getting to it.