What It's Like to Work at YNAB

When I started at YNAB back in the bygone days of 2016, I had a pretty standard expectation of what my first day would be like—meet the team, set up my accounts, and get used to the remote work setup. What I didn’t expect was a quick chat with Chance, our head of operations at the time, that would change how I thought about the job. 

Amidst talk about password managers and Slack channels, he said, “Oh! And because it would be weird for you to keep paying for YNAB when you're an employee here, I’m going to give you a free subscription.” I watched his shared screen as he opened my YNAB account in our support software and extended my subscription to 2078. (I’ll be 90 years old!)

It hadn’t even crossed my mind that this would be one of the perks of working at YNAB, but of course it was! At that moment, I thought it was just a cool gesture, a quirky welcome gift. But as I settled in, I realized it was much more than that. I was walking into a culture where everyone used YNAB—and that shared experience was something truly special.

‍A shared language around money

At YNAB, it’s not just about using our software; it’s about embracing a mindset that turns financial stress into confidence.

From day one, I realized that we all speak the same language when it comes to money. It’s not taboo, it’s not awkward, and it’s certainly not something we’re afraid to discuss. In fact, it’s encouraged! We talk openly about how we want to spend the money we work hard to earn, not in a micromanaging way, but with clarity, joy, and purpose.

We’re constantly asking ourselves (and each other) the same question we ask all YNABers: How do you want to spend your money? It’s how we think, work, and live.

The first Financial Wellness by YNAB client: our own team

We’ve extended that mindset—that spending your money deserves as much attention as you put into earning it—to other companies as well.

‍Financial Wellness by YNAB is a corporate benefit program that gives employees access to our software and education, empowering them to do more with their money. Many trusted organizations have taken us up on our offer like HelpScout, TheSkimm, and Todoist. (Wait… are we in the big leagues now?)

But if you think about it, YNAB was actually the first YNAB Wellness client. As employees, we get YNAB for free, and it’s a huge part of why our culture thrives.

The Financial Wellness benefit program isn’t just a benefit—it’s a philosophy embedded in how we operate. We all have access to the same tools and language to manage our personal finances, which creates a workplace where financial conversations feel empowering, not stressful. Since we’re encouraged to see money as an opportunity instead of an obstacle, we don’t have the weight of money stress most U.S. workers carry on their shoulders.

Because we all use YNAB, we understand the impact it can have on your life. We know the relief of finally feeling in control of your money, and we carry that into our work every day. The result? A company where financial peace of mind translates into more focus, creativity, and community.

You can have that peace of mind at work, too. More on that soon.

A culture of empowerment and support

This shared understanding of money makes for a different kind of workplace. At YNAB, it’s not just about hitting deadlines or getting through your to-do list. It’s about making choices that align with your goals—both personal and professional. 

Here, it’s natural to talk about our financial wins, challenges, and goals with each other. It’s never uncomfortable, because we’re all using the same framework to approach money. We even have a section of our weekly internal newsletter that features bucket-list achievements, debt payoffs, and pet adoptions. Should we celebrate the amazing things money can do for us?

And that includes our struggles with YNAB itself! One of my favorite Slack channels is #ijustworkhere, where we openly ask questions about how to use the software and how to apply the YNAB method to our specific situations. I love it because there are no dumb questions. Even those who teach YNAB need help sometimes. Changing your relationship with money is a journey, not a destination!

That level of support and transparency is something I’ve never experienced at any other job. When I talk about saving for a big purchase, dealing with an unexpected expense, or even where to find that hidden software feature, I know my colleagues get it. We’re all in it together, using YNAB to align our money with what truly matters to us.

What if your workplace was like this?

Now imagine having that same kind of culture at your workplace. That’s what Financial Wellness by YNAB is all about. And when your team feels financially secure, they show up fully, more focused, and less stressed. It’s a win for everyone.

The best part? It’s well within the realm of possibility. And you don’t have to be an HR leader at your company to make it happen.

If you want to bring YNAB to your workplace, check out the Bring YNAB to Work page. There, you’ll find everything you need to talk to your HR team about adding YNAB Wellness as a benefit, including sample messages that you can copy, paste, customize, and send to your team to make the case for adding YNAB as a workplace benefit.

Why financial wellness benefits matter

At YNAB, we’ve seen firsthand the impact financial education and empowerment has on company culture. It’s not just about getting free access to our software—it’s about building a workplace where people feel confident and in control of their money. And when that happens, they bring their best selves to work.

So, how do you want to spend your well-earned dollars? And wouldn’t it be amazing if your workplace helped you answer that?

Ready to Bring YNAB to Work? Visit our Bring YNAB to Work page to start the conversation with your HR team. And if you’re the boss or HR leader at your organization, you can learn more about the program and sign up here.