# How Much to Keep in Your Checking Account > It's important to keep enough in your accounts to cover bills and expenses with a small cushion. This article will show you how. Source: https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-much-to-keep-in-your-checking-account-a-guide-ryZNWymAc Last updated: 2026-07-02T17:17:29.002Z Determine the necessary amount needed in your spending accounts to ensure all upcoming expenses are covered. Utilize the Inspector and running balances to make sure sufficient funds are available, with a 10-15% cushion to avoid overdraft. #### In This Article [The Role of Accounts in YNAB](#accounts) [How to Determine How Much Money to Keep in Your Checking Account](#how-much) * * * ## The Role of Accounts in YNAB [The YNAB method](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/the-ynab-method-an-overview-SJmiqpi6j) includes 5 questions that guide you in making a plan for your spending. You may be working your way toward covering all of next month's expenses, or you may already be there. There's built-in breathing room in this, along with increased mental space for fun and additional spendfulness. Your YNAB accounts should reflect this accomplishment. Think of accounts as containers for your money; it doesn't matter which **account** your funds are in—what matters is the plan you have for them. Because of this, we recommend having fewer accounts, and not matching an account balance to a single category or group of categories (with the exception of [credit cards](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/handling-credit-cards-overview-ry7cNub1s) of course). Although we're firm believers that **less is more** when it comes to account structures, we understand that it may take some time to get into a simplified groove. During that time, it's important to know how much to keep in certain accounts so that no expenses go unpaid! For more information, here are some other great resources to help explore the role of accounts in YNAB (and how they interact with your plan as a whole).   * [How to Keep Your Accounts Simple](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-keep-your-accounts-simple-HyGw_QxRq) (help article) * [Category Balances versus Account Balances: An Overview](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/category-balances-versus-account-balances-an-overview-ryvnKB_Ac) (help article)  [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## How to Determine How Much Money to Keep in Your Checking Account Follow these steps in the **web app**—in either your plan or account register—to determine how much you should have in checking (or other main accounts) to cover your monthly expenses, without fear of going into overdraft. ### Using the Inspector in Your Plan 1. In your plan, select all categories that you regularly spend from using funds in your checking account. Consider adding these categories as a new, custom [Focused View](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/focused-views-a-guide-BksnNYqLh). The next time you want to confirm your checking balance, you'll be able to use the Focused View to select all of your categories at once. 2. To the right of your plan you'll find the _Available_ amount shown in that month's summary for these categories. If you pay all of the selected expenses, your _Available_ amount is how much will be leaving your checking account this month. 3. Compare the selected _Available_ number to the balance in your checking account. We recommend having a higher balance in your checking account compared to this _Available_ value by about 10-15%. This way, you will avoid overdraft and have a cushion when something unexpected comes up. 4. If you already have more than enough in your checking account to cover those expenses—hooray! You're ready to pay those bills! If you don't have enough in your checking account, transfer funds from your savings to your checking to increase your balance. ### Using the Running Balance in Your Account Register 1. In the web app, go to your credit card account and turn on _View_ > _View Running Balance_. 2. Enter as many Scheduled Transactions as you can (making special note of any transactions that repeat throughout the month, if applicable), including the next credit card payment if you use autopay or schedule your payment in advance. Take note of the Running Balance on the credit card at the time of the next payment. 3. Now, move over to your checking account. Just as before, turn on _View Running Balance_ and add as many scheduled transactions as you can. Then take note of what the Running Balance will be on the date of your next credit card payment. 4. If the positive Running Balance in your checking account will comfortably accommodate the negative Running Balance in your credit card account, you're good to go! If you feel like it is too close for comfort, move money from savings. Now you know that you have enough in your checking account to cover your monthly expenses! [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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