# Creating a Plan Template > This article explains how to create a plan template by following the YNAB Method. A plan template allows you to assign only the dollars you have right now. Source: https://support.ynab.com/en_us/creating-a-plan-template-ByZJZx_R9 Last updated: 2026-07-02T17:30:08.231Z Establish a plan template and make a plan for your spending. Assign only the funds you have right now, and do what you want with the money you have. Follow these instructions for creating (and using!) your own customizable plan template. A plan template helps you plan for your future expenses by using [targets](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/getting-started-with-targets-ryAEP08xC) and [scheduled transactions](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/scheduled-transactions-a-guide-BygrAIFA9) with your categories, giving you the month-ahead information you want without sacrificing the benefits you get from only assigning the money you have. #### Looking for YNAB Templates for Your Categories Instead? You may have heard -- we've created a gallery of pre-made templates that can be imported directly into your YNAB. YNAB Templates are straightforward, easy-to-follow guides that give you a solid starting point. They come pre-filled with categories you’ll likely need, and some even include example amounts. [Begin importing them here](https://www.ynab.com/templates)! #### In This Article [Building Your Plan Template](#building) [Reality Check: Is This Realistic?](#reality) [How to Use Your Plan Template](#how) * * * ## Building Your Plan Template ### Customize Your Categories When you first start YNAB (or when you [create a new plan](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/creating-a-new-plan-Hyl4uc5Cq)), you're presented with a few starter categories. Feel free to customize! [Add, edit, or remove categories](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/adding-removing-and-customizing-categories-a-guide-HJFO5j909) (or Category Groups) to your heart's content. If your category structure changes as you [reflect on the five questions included in the method](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/the-ynab-method-an-overview-SJmiqpi6j), you'll be sure your money always aligns with what matters most to you.  ### How to Add Targets to Your Category Structure 1. Add a target for every category. Review [this article for tips and examples on which targets work best with certain expenses](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/getting-started-with-targets-ryAEP08xC). 2. Choose how often you'd like the target to repeat (weekly, monthly, yearly, or custom).  3. Set additional customizations based on the target type (date, amount, repeat behavior). 4. Save the target. If you have a category you consider as optional each month, you'll still set a target in that category. If you don't plan on funding the category in a month, you can [snooze the target](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/snooze-a-target-HyS4E5rZT) to exclude it from the monthly "needed" amount that shows up in Underfunded. ### Use Edit Plan or Check Underfunded With a target assigned to every category, Available amounts will be yellow and your plan will now tell you exactly how much you need to stay on track.  On iOS and Android, take a look at [Edit Plan](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/plan-and-adjust-with-edit-plan-and-cost-to-be-me-ByR7vpqPyx). It includes a number of features to assist in planning for the current month while looking ahead to next month as well. It calculates and displays the money you need to fully fund the current month based on the month's targets.  On the web app, [Cost to Be Me](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/plan-and-adjust-with-edit-plan-and-cost-to-be-me-ByR7vpqPyx) calculates and displays how much money is needed to make this template work by checking the Underfunded amount. You'll see this in the Inspector (right sidebar). It also allows you to enter your expected income for the month, providing you an opportunity to immediately check whether the expected income for the month will cover the amount needed.  [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## Reality Check: Is This Realistic? Before you start planning, ask yourself this question: "Is this realistic?" If your monthly income is less than the targets you set, you'll need to make some changes—but that's okay! You have a much better picture of what you can afford, and you won't come up short. Adjust your plan template using [Edit Plan](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/plan-and-adjust-with-edit-plan-and-cost-to-be-me-ByR7vpqPyx) to ensure you can pay for the things that matter the most to you. It lets you directly adjust your plan to account for updated income, shifting priorities, or changing needs. You can modify the [targets](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-use-targets-rk5kkI9ks) you've set up—change the amounts or push back the dates. You can also snooze targets for things you don't need this month to exclude those categories from the Underfunded number. Keep tweaking until your plan template fits your income and your priorities. You can also review your [Cost to Be Me](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/plan-and-adjust-with-edit-plan-and-cost-to-be-me-ByR7vpqPyx), which gives you a snapshot of how much it actually costs to live your life the way you want—based on your recurring targets. If your income doesn’t match up with that number, it’s a signal to reassess and prioritize.  [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## How to Use Your Plan Template 1. When your next paycheck comes in, [add income](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-add-income-and-other-inflows-H1ZNjfZJi) to the account register. 2. Plan for the most important or immediate expenses first. It's okay if you can't cover everything immediately. #### Underfunded View The Underfunded view shows all categories that are underfunded. You can [Auto-Assign](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/auto-assign-a-guide-r1gBNbBJo) dollars to these underfunded categories with a single click. 3. If you don’t have enough for the entire month at once, assign dollars where you need them the most first. YNAB keeps you in control by alerting —yellow Available numbers—categories that need more dollars. If you don't plan on funding a category this month, you can [snooze the target](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/snooze-a-target-HyS4E5rZT) for the current month to tell YNAB you'd like to prioritize other expenses. 4. Do you have dollars left over, and all your categories are green? Great! Assign for big expenses down the road. Save extra for a vacation. Or, start [getting a month ahead](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/getting-a-month-ahead-a-guide-HJidy13C5)! ### Additional Tips * Put a date in the category name. That can help you decide what to plan, and when. Click the name of the [category](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/adding-removing-and-customizing-categories-a-guide-HJFO5j909) to edit). * If you know you get paid again on the 17th, be sure to plan for every bill with a due date before then. You can even drag and drop your categories to sort them by due date. * Use [scheduled transactions](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/scheduled-transactions-a-guide-BygrAIFA9) for a repeating bill or expense. [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## Help Us Help You! Our Knowledge Base team reviews article feedback responses weekly, and we actively revise these articles to make them as helpful as possible. That's where you come in! Our articles are scored based on the _Yes_ or _No_ ratings received below. We also collect freeform feedback for any _No_ ratings (so our team can focus in on what you were specifically searching for!). **Success**: Found what you were searching for? It would be super helpful if you click _Yes_ below. **Suggestions**: Didn't find what you're searching for and you'd like to share what terms or topics you wanted? Click _No_ below. 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