Does anybody use YNAB manually (vs importing automatically from the bank)? Could you share your process of keeping it updated? Trying to decide if it’s worth dealing with the Israeli workaround but posting it here in case there are other reasons to manually update. Thanks!

I'm doing it manually for now, but I just started recently. I'm going to try to use the workaround to keep it updated automatically soon

@great-appointment-99249 thanks for your reply... so do you check in on your bank on a specific schedule or just log as you purchase? Any tips or suggestions of what's working for you?

I have my accounts connected, but as YNAB is syncing only once per day (depends on the bank and the aggregator YNAB is using), I enter transactions manually most of the time, when YNAB imports later those transactions, they are linked with the ones entered by me. Reconciling consistently is the key, especially if you don’t have accounts connected.

Like I said, I just started recently, but right now I'm just trying to do it as regularly as possible, I download checking account and CC card statements from the bank, and then convert them into the proper format for YNAB using YNAB CSV Converter Then I upload it to YNAB using the Import file feature

The members that I know that do it manually just type it in every time they make a purchase or swipe.

For me personally that's the type of habit that will be on for 2 days, off for two months. That's why I'm working on automating it as soon as I can

Yeah I couldn't do it either I have it auto syncing.

Why is that? Assuming you're checking it before deciding how much to spend and on what?

I make far too many purchases for it to be worthwhile to manually input for my family.

That is very easy to understand 😁 I was asking about your second statement

Assuming I was always up to date before I made purchases then I guess I'd be fine. I would just probably not remember unless I did it by each purchase

Thanks for the input it helped me figure out how I wanted to set this up. Here's what I decided to do in the meantime... We use a Google sheet to track our regular budget (but not expenses). Anything not fixed goes in one of three catgories: 1. Review at the end of the month (gas, electric, bus cards--things that aren't a temptation to spend more on but we need to track to make sure budget stays ok) 2. Cash (money for kids to grab school supplies, in-person classes, sheital, cleaning help) 3. Track in app (using GoodBudget) Groceries, clothing, coffee/takeout (doesn't work to use cash but I need to keep an eye on it in real time) This allows me to track as little as possible--only what's truly necessary--so it won't be so cumbersome.