Dealing with variable income in YNAB

[RodeoClown]

Jesse (the boss/founder) wrote this article back in 2011.
If you're having issues dealing with variable income, check it out:
http://www.youneedabudget.com/blog/2011/slaying-the-variable-income-dragon/

[neopolaris]

Thanks for that. That's my main problem and has been for all my 16 yrs of self-employment. Feast to famine...and no, l can't rely on averages, because when the phone doesn't ring, I'm broke. But, YNAB is making it much easier for me to "give the dollars a job" ie: saving.

[Hieuman]

Perfect, didn't even have to hunt for this.

[ChiefBeef100]

This was a pretty big concern I had, thanks for pinning it. It's nice to see a developer so active on the forums!

[harf4ng]

Is this something I have to use when, let's say, I have fixed income all over the year but more money in november and december?

[RodeoClown]

Цитата допису @ns1bl3:

Is this something I have to use when, let's say, I have fixed income all over the year but more money in november and december?

Not really, this is more if you have income that varies a significant amount throughout the year. If you get extra income at some point, just put it into YNAB as an income transaction and then go categorise the extra income on the budget screen, putting it into the categories that make the most sense, so if you need it for a bill or something, budget that money to that category, otherwise go put it in the "moar video games" category or whatever ;))

[Astirial]

Awesome! Thanks for this.

[Tankbeard]

when it says to make a Variable Income Fund, do i make a second account and log it there?

[RodeoClown]

New category, not account.
Accounts represent real life accounts, so you want them to follow as closely as possible to reality.

[Tankbeard]

How do i track how much is accumulated in a certain category then? For instance, my 'car replacement fund'. Do i transfer that amount to savings and then keep a written log for what the money is for?

[RodeoClown]

To see how much is accumulated in a certain category, look at the category balance. That tells you exactly how much you have set aside for that category.
Can I strongly suggest checking out one of our free classes, the teachers can explain exactly how this all works, and you can ask questions if you have them: http://ynab.me/freeclass

Cheers,
-Ian

[Tankbeard]

Цитата допису RodeoClown:

To see how much is accumulated in a certain category, look at the category balance. That tells you exactly how much you have set aside for that category.
Can I strongly suggest checking out one of our free classes, the teachers can explain exactly how this all works, and you can ask questions if you have them: http://ynab.me/freeclass

Cheers,
-Ian

i will check that out,thank you for your help!

[DP]

The support for this is the main reason it's a success for me. Thanks!

[RodeoClown]

I'll make sure to let the support and teaching team know you've been successful, it's what they love to hear :)

[88.globetrotter]

Thanks for the article! As a college student it was a great clarification for handling income from the financial aid, tutoring and side jobs!

[brkbeatjunkie]

thanks alot