4 Ways to Enter Spending in YNAB

[@erikahagan8767]

I noticed that casual "my husband" drop. Congrats, Hannah!

[@bigal6667]

Same here. Congrats hannah

[@YNABofficial]

Did that feel crazy coming out of my mouth or what?! I actually filmed this video BEFORE I took a few weeks off for the wedding/honeymoon/moving, so he was my fiance at the time of recording, but I knew he'd be my husband by the time this video released. That was a wild experience. -Hannah 🌻

[@mx.stoneheart]

My favorite thing about this video is that Hannah is BACK!!

[@YNABofficial]

🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻😎😎😎 -Hannah 🌻

[@the.phil.courtney]

This is the solution to fix my YNAB woes. I hit the ground running when I discovered YNAB a few months ago, even got a credit card paid off. But because I was only doing manual input, I ran out of steam fast when I was reconciling daily. Then I switched to direct import and went on autopilot. I lost complete touch of my budget and it crashed and burned. I honestly haven’t done anything to my budget in months for this reason. As Hannah highlighted, I was afraid to do manual inputs and cause duplicates. Now that I understand the beauty of the hybrid approach, I’m excited to hit Fresh Start and get back to budgeting. Thank you!!!

[@YNABofficial]

YEAH PHIL!! Excited for you!! Can I be honest? If you talk to just about anyone at YNAB, it seems like we've all fallen off the budgeting wagon once (or twice... maybe 13 times) at some point or another. Life happens! The important thing is that we try and try again! Best of luck!! You got this!! -Hannah 🌻

[@rhodab6625]

Welcome back Hannah...congrats on your engagement.really missed your videos. Thanks for making YNAB fun.

[@YNABofficial]

That means so much, Rhonda! It's been fun to come back with a boost of encouragement! Y'all make me love my job even more :) -Hannah 🌻

[@chris-seven-shotwoodworkin4817]

I’m one of the few that routinely uses all 3 methods! One bank imports no problem, one that is always a problem (file based for the win) and I’m about 80% entering on my own. Entering on my own transactions changed my budget life.

[@YNABofficial]

Wow, way to go!! Beat me to my punchline!! I'll be the first to admit I've never used File-Based Import for my personal budget before. Only in demos 😬 So I've gotta give it whirl next time my bank connection is down (she said inevitably). -Hannah 🌻

[@michaelpporter]

I also use all three. My HSA account has to be file based.

[@YNABofficial]

AHH, file-based on my HSA would be perfect!! It's a tracking account, so I always fall behind on it since I'm not ever assigning those dollars to my budget. I'm trying that next! -Hannah 🌻

[@kimcramer]

Hannah - you are seriously so funny! I am actually running to sign up for YNAB because you might actually get me to really like budgeting. Your teaching style is so funny and easy to follow! Great videos!

[@YNABofficial]

YEAHHHHHH!! RUN RUN RUN, I'LL MEET YOU THERE!! 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏾‍♂️🏃🏽 🌻 Hannah

[@mercyfae17]

Love manual entry.

[@MustangChick922]

Thank you Hannah!!! I used to do manual entering to be aware of my spending. I'm a teacher and come September, I am super overwhelmed and mentally exhausted and get behind in entering. I never wanted to do bank import, because I wasn't sure how it would work and messing up my payees. I just switched and what a load off of me. I am caught back up from September! I just watched this video today and omg yes. Thank you. Hybrid method is exactly what I need in my life, using file import to find what I missed as I entered old transactions. Bless you. You're the best!!!

[@jasoneaken3244]

Big fan of Hannah over here, my wife and I find you VERY helpful (no, I don't care that this video is 2 years old), and thank you for having a personality and sense of humor. I'm sure the smart folks at YNAB realized this but it actually helps the material sink in more easily.

[@VikingKittens]

Oh Hanna it has been too long. Thanks for highlighting this hybrid method. As I am just ending year one I am still happy to be entering everything myself. But now you have put the bug in my ear, (see what I did there?) to try something new in the future when I am ready to change things up! Cheers

[@YNABofficial]

Ugh. No more bugs, PLEASE. 🦟 Glad to be back!! -Hannah 🌻

[@rebekahyoungers831]

The fact that YNAB will match your manual transactions with imported transactions is one of the main reasons that I choose YNAB over other budgeting tools - genius! Well, that, and your fantastic youtube videos. :) Also, congrats on your marriage!

[@YNABofficial]

Ha! THANK you, Rebekah! And I'm all about that transaction matching life myself. 😎 -Hannah 🌻

[@deenajemery7191]

Welcome back! Missed your videos. Always informative AND humorous 😁

[@briandefriez8870]

I like the file based import and think it should get more attention. It gives you control as to when transactions come in, which means no waiting around and checking YNAB every hour to see if there is anything to import. Plus, going online gives you a chance to see the pending transactions which your spouse may have not entered at the time of purchase (which for my wife is never...love you sweetie :-). I tried linking my banks, but it was slow, as Hannah said, so file based import + manual entry seems like the winning combo. Yes, importing files takes more time, but it is nice in terms of gaining awareness and control of the remaining funds in the budget.

[@YNABofficial]

Wow!! All good points! I use the DI+Entering Myself combo, but I really gotta try FBI. I HATE waiting on pending transactions. -Hannah 🌻

[@briandefriez8870]

@@YNABofficial I hear you...FBI is the way to go then. I would try importing at a set time each day, which for me is enough to feel in control of things.

[@julianmills5531]

Just starting. Awesome video.

[@1nickybe]

Absolutely loving the Hybrid Method. Thanks.

[@YNABofficial]

YAY! That's awesome. I love the awareness so much of entering myself, but I'm just not a perfect person, so direct import saves me SO MUCH 😂 -Hannah 🌻

[@leduke79]

It's not an import, per se, but I'd add in scheduled transaction to the mix. For those frequent bills of identical size. They can even be biweekly or yearly!

[@RandomFandomDragon]

Officially subscribed to YNAB, and absolutely love it.💜 I do all but the the file import, but I might start doing that with the accounts I can't link to. One thing I have noticed with self-entering and direct import is sometimes the payees don't match up correctly. I'm hoping it is mostly because I'm new and the system is learning all my payees, but if not its easy enough to fix. Just un-match, then select the correct two, edit, and match 'em up.

[@TheDan9169]

Great to see you back, Hannah 🥳 Congrats to you and your beau on your marriage 💑

[@YNABofficial]

Thank you, friend!! -Hannah 🌻

[@AustinLeSure]

Was the screenshot at 3:50 supposed to show something? Looks like a static image of the budget. Also at 10:00.

[@YNABofficial]

Oh, SOS Austin! Looks like some of my screenshares didn't export right. Shucks. Well, whoopsies. We'll get 'em next time! -Hannah 🌻

[@PamJernigan]

Congrats, Hannah, but I think you missed a little something here - when you're out and about, entering transactions, you have the option to location-tag it, so YNAB remembers who you paid, and what category *if* you are physically in that location. Anytime I go to enter a transaction after lunch at my favorite restaurant, it pops up the payee, the account, and budget category. I try to enter prescription purchases immediately at the store so I don't have to mess with those settings :) It just comes up as default. Very handy. Not foolproof, so pay attention, but it's nice to hit the plus sign, type in a few numbers and boom, everything's there. I mean, technically, that's part of entering it yourself, but people should know YNAB's trying to make it easy.

[@YNABofficial]

Great tip, Pam! Historically I've had location tagging turned off, but recently when we started the new family budget after the wedding I tried to start tagging locations. It DOES help you enter right away, because I want to eventually tag all my "frequent" places. Thanks for pitchin' in that extra thought! -Hannah 🌻

[@brandywollet8303]

Hi Hannah! So I use grocery delivery and it will always pull more from my account than what the transaction may cost. For example, my order might be $175 but the store will deduct $200 to cover any price changes when they check out. My bank shows the $200 deduction immediately decreasing my account balance. The problem is that using direct import it will use the $200 but once the hold is lifted to the actual charge my budget is messed up because it now enters the actual charge as a separate entry. It will take my bank forever to show the actual amount meaning my account is showing less money than my budget because of this hold charge. What is the best way to deal with this issue?

[@LupusLifestyle]

I'm all about the manual method. So easy to put it in on the phone!

[@missionbaypuppyrescue6575]

Hanna Rocks. Great training , fun and engaging.

[@YNABofficial]

Thanks friend!! -Hannah 🌻

[@leahkornpalmer9574]

I like Direct Import, because many times, I'll manually enter a total purchase (I'm looking at you, Amazon), but then the purchase gets split between items that arrive separately. Then I have to go back and get rid of my manual entry.

[@TransformingTheFosters]

My bank was purchased and the new bank doesn't link to YNAB. I've started using file based imports and I love it. I always hated waiting for direct import to update my account. Now I can control it myself. That's definitely an under rated feature.

[@YNABofficial]

Wow! That's story did a real 180, there! So glad to hear it!! Every direct import disconnect has a silver lining. 😂 -Hannah 🌻

[@chanceasteria]

When using the hybrid method, what happens if the manual input is off even by a cent from the direct import?

[@JustJoia]

Honestly I hope my bank does direct import (main account is a credit union) because I fail terribly at entering in transactions. That's great to know it won't be duplicates.

[@heidifritz3053]

Hannah! I missed you. Was getting a little worried. I enter transaction with the hybrid method. And like you, I manually enter daily transactions and let direct import handle automated payments.

[@YNABofficial]

Awww! That means so much 🥰Just a busy season of change for me. Two thumbs up for applying the hybrid method!! -Hannah 🌻

[@seatraveller]

I would love to use direct import but YNAB still does not support UK banks and I have been waiting years for you to facilitate this for us UK customers!

[@YNABofficial]

Peter! It's been a long and tricky process, but Direct Import will start to become available in select parts of Europe within the next few months! I can't say where yet as it's all still very much in the works (not due to secrecy, but because I have absolutely 100% no idea 😂), but the hope is the availability spreads over time as we gain some traction with banks in the UK! -Hannah 🌻

[@elizabethman7313]

Barclays and Lloyds are now linking!

[@kdsworld7063]

A use a hybrid. I do manual entry. Not in a country that supports direct import. But I like file based for when I miss a few days or have a lot of transactions.

[@jmgirard7]

When I worked in QBO for work it would never connect properly to the checking account (half the transactions would be missing) so it became habit every morning to run a file export from the bank and then drag and drop the file into QBO, match up transactions, and boom! done. The more I see of YNAB the more it reminds me of QBO. I just hope they don't sell to Intuit and merge with Mint.

[@jawjuh1005]

Is it too late for a question? I haven’t done direct import because of security fears with the third party that facilitates the import. Is my fear unfounded? What if that company gets hacked? Thank you.

[@YNABofficial]

Hey friend! We know security is important to you, and as YNAB users ourselves, we understand *exactly* why. Our import provider does need to store your credentials in order to use them to connect to your financial institution to import transactions, but they are encrypted for your protection. They have significant experience handling sensitive information like this as an aggregation provider, but if you are uncomfortable for any reason, the Direct Import feature is completely optional! I hope this helps!! ☺️ 🌻 Hannah

[@kukurukuru04]

Congrats Hannah! Yeah I gotta get on that file based import for my credit card, I'm good but I ain't reconcile 5 years of usage good. 🤣

[@mimharries4349]

Now that's a professional. Gets the bug out of her eye and right back on script!

[@VioletEmerald]

I am on SNAP benefits for my groceries now and that doesn't have any option for me other than manual much like money on a gift card or something, so I definitely need to very carefully manually enter those transactions. ;)

[@vazjc]

I do the hybrid method because some attached accounts don't update at the same time as others.

[@mx.stoneheart]

I love hybrid!! I enter transactions manually, but direct import will catch anything I may forget to enter. If a transaction appears to be a duplicate, it usually means I typed something wrong and I can then fix it and link them together.

[@erikmansoor5676]

I want to manually add a transaction but I do NOT use the phone app. Unable to see how to do it on the computer

[@YNABofficial]

In the web app, click on whatever account the spending occurred in on the left hand side of YNAB (checking, credit card, etc). Once you're in that account's transaction register, click "Add Transaction" in the top left of the account register! From here you can adjust the date, add the payee, select a category, add a memo, and record it as either an outflow (spending) or inflow (earning/reimbursement). 🌻 Hannah

[@Philo-ul2uq]

I feel like ynab is double charging me for direct import. I add the transaction, but ynab shows it subtracting from my current balance, not the previous one. Solution?

[@YNABofficial]

Hmmm... I think I'd need some more details/examples to know how to help. Feel free to fill me in more, or you can write into our customer support team and they can help you out in a very hands-on way! Definitely want to get this figured out for you. www.ynab.com/help 🌻 Hannah

[@TwoOnlyChildrenxoxox]

Where the heck have you been?!?

[@YNABofficial]

Took some time off to get married, honeymoon, and settle in with the new husband in our new apartment! Glad to be back :) -Hannah 🌻

[@sol9877]

@@YNABofficial I send all blessings and budgets to your new life. We missed you!

[@TwoOnlyChildrenxoxox]

@@YNABofficial Yahoo! Congratulations, Mrs.!

[@chasezas]

What about tipped transactions? Pending transactions do not include the tip. Once it finally posts, the charge has changed. I end up with duplicate entries every time I manually enter or approve before it posts 😭

[@mrw108]

Here's what I do: 1. Manually type in transaction when it happens (with tip) 2. When it shows up on pending transactions for direct import, change the amount to include the tip 3. Then you can match the two transactions and when it clears your bank account, it should be a-ok

[@PatrikKron]

I tried the file based import, by YNAB would not accept my CSV file. I now enter my transactions manually.

[@YNABofficial]

Awesome that you're entering transactions yourself! I will say if you'd like to try it again, try using QFX or OFX files if your bank offers them. If they don't, you may need to reformat your CSV file a bit. There's instructions on that here including a link to an unofficial CSV converter a lovely YNABer made for the community. docs.youneedabudget.com/article/921-formatting-csv-file ~BenB

[@PatrikKron]

@@YNABofficial only CSV or excel is offered (never heard of QFX or OFX bring available from any bank in Sweden). Last time I checked I was not able to find instructions of the requested format, now I should be able to convert my files following the instructions. Thank you!

[@YNABofficial]

@@PatrikKron Totally makes sense you wouldn’t see it much in Sweden. Those are Quicken files, which was pretty ubiquitous in North America for quite a while but not everywhere. What’s nice about those is the formatting is always the same, so it’s easy to import. CSV files can be formatted in any number of ways, so sometimes they need some adjustment.

[@doxiedonna]

@@YNABofficial I just used those instructions yesterday. Tried to convert it in a spreadsheet with directions but couldn't get it to work. I finally tried the first method using a fellow YNABer's CSV converter and it worked perfectly!!! So easy to do with that converter!!!

[@petrina1026]

Can i change from auto to manual

[@jackiesteele]

Yes - there's an option to unlink your bank account at any time. The transactions will stop importing if you do that.

[@YNABofficial]

Yes sir! Head to the left side of your budget and click on the account that you'd like to unlink. Click "Unlink Account" and you'll stop receiving imported transactions. Don't forget you can always use both simultaneously! -Hannah 🌻

[@mundoin5583]

Well this is my first month YNAB-ing and I am doing it manually due to being it more in my face lol.

[@YNABofficial]

Yes! We love the "in your face" effect of manual entry 😂 -Hannah 🌻

[@PolymerJones]

this app is way too complicated I'm searching the internet just trying to figure out how to add a starting balance

[@YNABofficial]

Hey Paul! Sorry to hear you're feeling overwhelmed! If you want a little more guidance on how to get started, consider signing up for one of our free live workshops or watching some of our "getting started" videos on KZbin! I'll link a few options below. Sign up for a workshop with a live teacher + Q&A here: www.ynab.com/free-workshops If the workshop schedule doesn't jive with you but you still want to follow along with a workshop, join Ernie in a recording of a past "Getting Started with YNAB" workshop: kzbin.info/www/bejne/maHGkqCmfM5miMU This getting started playlist hits on a lot of YNAB features and know-hows! kzbin.info/aero/PLq0_N-XTl2yBC9dGE6VEY1xd1i89ua3JU&si=Jz3jf-Bwmi5ut0bS Hope this helps!! Feel free to write back here with questions, or reach out to our customer support team to get a little more guidance! They love helping new users get their groove with YANB!

[@rodneyholloman]

Husband! Woohoo! Congratulations!

[@YNABofficial]

THANKS RODNEY! :) :) :) -Hannah 🌻

[@sharifislam8395]

Hm

[@gagandeepgrewal]

Wait a Mintue! she said "husband" you're married. Congratulations!!!!!!!

[@YNABofficial]

I am!! I did it!! I'm a Mrs! -Hannah 🌻

[@josephmihalak-exprealty-br9073]

Importing CREDIT CARD transactions has not been mentioned. Mint does not allow this so all CC transactions must be entered manually. This was a deal killer for me.

[@jordanedmunds4460]

Haaaaannaaaahhhhhhh :DDD