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The Magic is in the Method
Ready to stop being bad with money?
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The YNAB Method
Give every dollar a job
The YNAB Method of giving every dollar a job is a proven process that simplifies spending decisions and clarifies priorities so you can stop worrying about money.
It’s pretty simple: You assign every dollar you have to one of your expense categories in YNAB based on what’s important and when it’s due. Then you check your plan prior to spending and make changes as needed along the way by moving money between categories. It's easy—and life-changing.
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Putting the Method Into Practice
How to give every dollar a job
If you think you're just going to wake up one day and suddenly discover that you're good with money—well, you're right. It's rather anti-climactic, but once you get in the habit of making a (flexible) plan for every dollar before you spend a single cent, the money stuff is going to feel so easy.
We have five questions to help guide you through the process of deciding what you want or need your money to do next.
Reality
What does this money need to do before I’m paid again?
Assign every dollar you have to one of your expense categories to create a proactive plan for intentional spending.
stability
What larger, less frequent spending do I need to prepare for?
Non-monthly expenses like car repairs and holiday shopping are a fact of life. Break these down into manageable monthly chunks.
resilience
What can I set aside for next month’s spending?
With built-in breathing room, payday and due dates don’t matter and financial emergencies become minor inconveniences.
creation
What goals, large or small, do I want to prioritize?
Ask yourself what you really want out of life and then give your dollars jobs that will make that possible.
flexibility
What changes do I need to make, if any?
Flexibility means changing your plan when new priorities arise—without guilt, stress, or second-guessing.
This may be the most important money video you’ll ever watch.
Ready to know what it feels like to get good with money? Watch Ben M. explain what's possible when you use the YNAB Method to align how you spend your money with how you want to spend your life.
(We call that spendfulness. Did we make that word up? Yes, but the feeling is real.)
Why giving every dollar a job works
Let’s see what this looks like in real life.
reality
Take care of what matters most.
What does this money need to do before I’m paid again?
You can’t plan a journey without knowing where you are. Getting clear about how much money you have and what that money needs to do next helps you avoid spending more important money on less important things.
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–Taylor
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– Kim
stability
Reduce stress and uncertainty.
What larger, less frequent spending do I need to prepare for?
Stability reduces stress and uncertainty. Anticipate upcoming expenses and start setting small, manageable amounts of money aside to save yourself from the emotional drama of one big bill. After all, the holidays happen every year and your car will need new tires someday—Future You will appreciate that you planned ahead!
resilience
Make life easier for Future You.
What can I set aside for next month’s spending?
Resilience is being proactive instead of reactive. When next month’s expenses are covered, payday and due dates don’t really matter and financial emergencies become minor inconveniences. This built-in breathing room helps you rest a little easier and frees up mental space for something more fun, like cheating at Monopoly.
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– Emily
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– Robert
creation
Build a life you’ll love to live.
What goals, large or small, do I want to prioritize?
Creation is giving your goals a chance (with money). Ask yourself the age-old question of, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” over and over again and then give your dollars jobs that will make that possible. Who do you want to be and how can the money you have help you get there?
flexibility
Change your plan (if you want).
What changes do I need to make, if any?
Flexibility means changing your plan when new priorities arise. There’s no such thing as a normal month and the answer to “Who do I want to be?” can change from at-home chef to DoorDash frequent-flyer on the drive home. And that’s okay! It’s your money and your plan for it can change at any time—without guilt, stress, or second-guessing. Change your mind, move some money, and move on.
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– Chris
The weight of money worry
Being bad with money is easy. Feeling a little guilty after a small splurge is to be expected, right? Also, who hasn't put a big expense on a credit card because they're not fully confident that they actually have the cash available? And everyone probably argues with their spouse about the frequency of those Amazon deliveries. Yeah, it's all pretty normal.
And that's unfortunate. Because money touches every aspect of our lives. We spend so much time and effort earning it, yet we spend it quickly and easily. Every dollar offers so much opportunity, yet we usually think of money as an obstacle to what we really want in life. Getting good with money starts with changing the way you think about money—and ends with never worrying about money again.
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Get YNAB and get good with money.
The easiest way to give every dollar a job is with YNAB. Start getting good with money by signing up for a free trial. No credit card or commitment required!
