
How do you "Sweep" under spent categories at the end of the month?
I have seen several people talk about sweeping categories. I understand the concept of sweeping the category, but I am brand new YNAB.
How do you actually "sweep" the category from one to another in the software? Do you just reduce the Budgeted amount by the under spent amount in that category and increase Budgeted amount to the category you want to move it to?
Also what happens if I don't sweep the under spent budgeted amount as it goes to the next month? For example if I have an auto repair category, where I am budgeting (setting aside) $50 per month but don't spend anything in January. When February comes, I will have another $50 budgeted to the category. How do I know/see that there is now $100 set aside for future auto repairs? Will the $50 rolled over from January automatically make the February Budgeted amount show $100 (Jan $50 + Feb $50)?
I hope this makes sense. Thanks for the help!
Jeremy
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JeremyB said:
Will the $50 rolled over from January automatically make the February Budgeted amount show $100 (Jan $50 + Feb $50)?Yes, when you don't use (all of) the money and you add another $50 to the same category than the Available column will show the (leftover) amount from the previous month plus the new amount from the current month - in your case, Available would show $100.
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JeremyB said:
How do you actually "sweep" the category from one to another in the software?Just click on the $ Amount in the Available column. This opens a popup window with a textbox Move: and dropdown box To: In the textbox you type in the amount you want to move (or leave it with the full amount if you want to move everything) and chose the account/category from the dropdown box that should receive the money. This way YNAB automatically reduces the current category and adds the money to the new category.
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JeremyB said:
When you move the money from the Available column, does the Budgeted column remain the sameDon't be afraid to try these things out to become comfortable with the tool. The Undo button will put things back the way they were before.
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HappyDance said:
there's a quick budget tool on the left hand sideHmm. Mine is on my other left: the right. :)