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| Initial release | 2004; 20 years ago (2004) |
|---|---|
| Type | Personal finance software |
| Website | ynab |
You Need a Budget (YNAB) (pronounced /ˈwaɪnæb/) is an online personal budgeting program based on the envelope system developed by a privately owned American company of the same name. It is available via any internet browser or a mobile app.
History
The program was initially developed as standalone software in 2004 by Jesse Mecham, while he was in college pursuing his master's degree in accounting, after an experience where he and his wife had no money and needed to improve their budgeting. It evolved from a spreadsheet that he created for the budgeting process. In 2015 they changed their licensing model to Software as a service.
Overview
The service encourages users to follow four principles or "rules":
- Give every dollar a job: Each dollar in a budget is allocated to a specific purpose. This concept is also called zero-based budgeting.
- Embrace true expenses: All expenses are planned for, so that there are no surprises.
- Roll with the punches: Being flexible when there is overspending.
- Age your money: Keeping money in your budget without immediately spending it.
Users can either import transactions automatically from their financial institutions or input them manually. The software also displays financial reports to keep users informed about their finances at a glance.
Awards and recognition
YNAB has been named one of the best budgeting apps by U.S. News & World Report, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, CNN, HuffPost, CNBC, and hundreds of other financial reporting outlets.
- The Wall Street Journal – Best budgeting app for hands-on budgeters.
- Forbes – Best Budgeting Apps
- Money – Best budgeting app for college students.
- Lifehacker – Most popular personal finance software.
- Wirecutter – "Great pick for hard-core budgeters".
- Investopedia – Best overall budgeting app.
See also
References
- "YNAB has the most devoted following of any budgeting app". Quartz. March 24, 2020.
- Brennan, Chelsea (November 2, 2018). "Review: Should you budget with YNAB?". MassMutual.
- ARNOLD, CHRIS (December 21, 2022). "How to spend less money, starting with a budget". NPR.
- Burgess, Lindsey (August 7, 2021), "How YNAB Started: The Origin Story", YNAB
- Estes, Adam Clark (2024-08-08). "You need a budget. But do you really need to pay for one?". Vox. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
- Everett, Anna (July 7, 2022). "My favorite budgeting app: You Need A Budget". Medium.
- CROSS, MIRIAM (March 8, 2018). "The Power of Living Within Your Means". Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
- Yakal, Kathy (October 11, 2022). "YNAB Review". PCMag.
- Wilhide, Brendan (November 4, 2010). "You Need a Budget for Mac". Macworld.
- "You Need a Budget". Bentley University. January 8, 2015.
- Ryan, Kevin J. (December 25, 2022). "If You're Serious about Budgeting, Try This App". The Wall Street Journal.
- Payne, Kevin; Foreman, Daphne (March 7, 2022). "YNAB Budgeting App Review". Forbes.
- Rodríguez, Norma. "5 Best Budgeting Apps". Money.
- Henry, Alan (August 9, 2011). "Most Popular Personal Finance Software: YNAB". Lifehacker. Gawker Media.
- Pinola, Melanie; Tepper, Taylor (July 25, 2023). "The Best Budgeting Apps and Tools". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331.
- DORE, KATE. "Best Budgeting Apps". Investopedia.
External links
| Personal financial management | |
|---|---|
| Open-source | |
| Free | |
| Commercial | |
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