YNAB

YNAB is a personal budgeting software and the budgeting philosophy You Need A Budget. It helps users plan and track spending by allocating every dollar to a specific purpose before the month begins. The program emphasizes proactive planning and financial awareness rather than merely tracking expenses after the fact. It was created by Jesse Mecham in 2004.

Core method uses zero-based budgeting, applying four rules: give every dollar a job; save for true expenses; roll with the punches; age your money. The approach aims to reduce living paycheck to paycheck, build a buffer, and align spending with priorities.

Features include bank syncing, transaction import, goal tracking, debt payoff tools, spending reports, and forecasting. It supports collaborative budgeting for households and multiple budgets within a single account.

Platforms: available as web-based app with native mobile apps for iOS and Android, and a companion desktop app for macOS and Windows; data sync across devices.

Pricing and availability: YNAB operates on a paid subscription model, with a trial period for new users. It also provides educational resources and budgeting courses and workshops. It is widely used by individuals seeking structured budgeting and by financial-literacy programs.