# How to Assign Your Savings > Set up your savings account as a Cash account and choose the savings option Assign those dollars to categories and include your emergency savings too Foll Source: https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-assign-your-savings-rkJ_Yy3Rq Last updated: 2026-07-10T01:08:23.736Z Set up your savings account as a Cash account (and choose the savings option). Assign those dollars to categories, and include your emergency savings, too. Follow the YNAB Method and make a plan for your spending. #### Assigning Emergency Fund Dollars to Categories We believe everyone should have an emergency fund. But should you assign those emergency fund dollars to your plan? **Yes, absolutely**! Here's why. You've already made a plan for those dollars! They're sitting in your account, providing a level of stability, just waiting on an unexpected emergency. And when that unexpected emergency happens, you'll be ready. If you haven't already created an "Emergency Fund" category, we'd encourage you to add one to your plan using the steps below). ### How to Assign Your Savings 1. [Add your savings account](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-add-an-account-ByoxswMJs). 2. [Add categories](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/adding-removing-and-customizing-categories-a-guide-HJFO5j909#new) for those saving dollars. Vacation, bike, etc. 3. [Assign all money in your savings account](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/assigning-your-money-a-guide-SypgkrNJi) to those categories.  Here's what that would look like: ![The Savings account balance matches the total amount available in the Wants category group.](https://cdn.bfldr.com/NIEXAZS5/at/mmcmwspwsc4zqmgspbvnkmh3/Match-Category-Group-Web-Help-Article.png?auto=webp&format=png) That's it! Don't worry about spending your savings before you're ready. Enjoy the new bike when it's time! Want to focus and boost savings even more? [Add targets](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-use-targets-rk5kkI9ks) to your savings categories! Saved up and reached that goal? That **savings** category can then act as a **spending** category. Record the purchase(s) right into that category. If it was a one-time purchase, hide the category, or delete and set a new target to start saving up for the next one!  Wondering what to do with interest earned in that savings account? [Categorize it as Income: Ready to Assign (called Inflow: Ready to Assign on Web)](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-add-income-and-other-inflows-H1ZNjfZJi#adding) and then assign them to categories!  #### Transferring Money to a Savings Account You'll notice [making a transfer](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/transfer-transactions-a-guide-HJOsZz4Jj) from a checking account to a savings account (one Cash account to another) doesn't require a category or change anything in your plan. That's because **you already have a plan for those dollars.** In YNAB, [categories are used to organize your spending and saving dollars](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/category-balances-versus-account-balances-an-overview-ryvnKB_Ac), like in a cash envelope system. Bank accounts aren't. If you'd like to increase a savings category by the amount of the transfer, [move money](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/moving-money-in-your-plan-ryyCKbBJi) from _Ready to Assign_ or another category. * * * ## 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. You'll then be able to submit your feedback about this article. **Please note:** the feedback submissions are anonymous, and we’re not able to respond, so make sure to use the next option if you have a specific scenario or question you would like a response to. **Support**: If you have a question or would like a response to your specific question, [tell the chatbot you need a human or send us an email](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/how-to-get-help-SygqcvtC5) to ensure that your message gets to our Support team!