Is it crazy to have a category for "unassigned cash"? I don't want to accidentally apply my cash to bills that are going to hit my checking account, and then I would think I'm covered but I'm not.

No, it’s not crazy to have a category for "unassigned cash." In fact, it’s a smart way to stay organized and avoid confusion. Here’s why and how you can handle it: Why It’s a Good Idea: • Avoid Accidental Overspending: If you don’t assign your cash to a specific category, it might feel like you have more money available than you actually do. This could lead to spending money that’s already needed for bills or other priorities. • Clarity and Control: By creating a category for "unassigned cash," you can clearly see how much money is set aside and not yet allocated to specific jobs. This helps you stay on top of your budget. How to Do It: 1. Create a Category: Add a category in your budget called "Unassigned Cash" or something similar. 2. Assign the Cash: When you receive cash, assign it to this category until you decide what to do with it. 3. Reallocate When Ready: When you’re ready to use the cash for something specific, move it from the "Unassigned Cash" category to the appropriate category (e.g., groceries, bills, or savings). Takeaway: Think of "unassigned cash" as a temporary holding spot. It keeps your money safe and prevents you from accidentally spending it on the wrong thing. Just remember to eventually give every dollar a job so your budget stays accurate and reflects your priorities.

Yes I thihnk its crazy bc that is already what the "ready to assign" number is. Or am i misunderstanding?

so it's specifically for cash - YNAB mixes up all the money from any accounts that are in there. So if I assigned the available cash to a category, it wouldn't be clear to me which account that money is in

oh hmm. you have a manual cash account yes?

right

i would recommend not linking your maaser checking account to ynab

right, I could probably just dump it all into "extra babysitting"

right