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You Need A Budget (YNAB)

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Jesse Mecham

A weekly dose of just the right medicine to help you get out of debt, save more money, and beat the paycheck to paycheck cycle.

#675

Shift Your Spending Into High Gear

If you think about it, there's only one thing that money can do -- be spent! The use of money is, ultimately, the spending of money. Even if you give money away, it's given to others so that they may spend it. Or if you save money, that money is being saved (and perhaps invested in hopes of getting more money in the future) so that it can be spent in the future. But it's all spending at the end of the day. In today's episode, Jesse paints a picture of spending with a budget a mind, spending with clarity (because you are in tune with what you want your money to do), and perhaps most importantly, spending guilt-free. Budgeting is really about spending money, and spending it without remorse or guilt... maybe even spending with joy? Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: [askjesse@ynab.com] (mailto:askjesse@ynab.com) Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at <a href= "https://www.youneedabudget.com">www.youneedabudget.com</a> Follow YNAB on social media: Facebook: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/iYNAB/">@iYNAB</a> Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/youneedabudget/">@youneedabudget</a> Twitter: [@ynab] (https://twitter.com/ynab) Tik Tok: <a href= "https://www.tiktok.com/@ynabofficial?lang=en">@ynabofficial</a> ... Read more

Yesterday

09 MINS

09:32

Yesterday

#674

Ask Jesse: ...And Done!

Pfew! Done, finally! Jesse clears up the backlog in his Ask Jesse mailbox, answering listener questions about the nature of credit card spending in YNAB, whether YNAB'ers should still have emergency funds, and what to do when saving up for a down payment while houses continue to rise in price. Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: [askjesse@ynab.com] (mailto:askjesse@ynab.com) Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at <a href= "https://www.youneedabudget.com">www.youneedabudget.com</a> Follow YNAB on social media: Facebook: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/iYNAB/">@iYNAB</a> Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/youneedabudget/">@youneedabudget</a> Twitter: [@ynab] (https://twitter.com/ynab) Tik Tok: <a href= "https://www.tiktok.com/@ynabofficial?lang=en">@ynabofficial</a> ... Read more

18 Sep 2023

18 MINS

18:07

18 Sep 2023

#673

Ask Jesse: We're Getting There People!

Jesse continues to work through his backlog of Ask Jesse questions, including his thoughts on credit karma, the magic of 1% retirement contributions, and whether he would save cash in case of recession or pay down debt. Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Four-Thousand-Weeks-Management-Mortals/dp/0374159122"> https://www.amazon.com/Four-Thousand-Weeks-Management-Mortals/dp/0374159122</a> Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: [askjesse@ynab.com] (mailto:askjesse@ynab.com) Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at <a href= "https://www.youneedabudget.com">www.youneedabudget.com</a> Follow YNAB on social media: Facebook: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/iYNAB/">@iYNAB</a> Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/youneedabudget/">@youneedabudget</a> Twitter: [@ynab] (https://twitter.com/ynab) Tik Tok: <a href= "https://www.tiktok.com/@ynabofficial?lang=en">@ynabofficial</a> ... Read more

11 Sep 2023

13 MINS

13:03

11 Sep 2023

#672

Ask Jesse: Still Catching Up

Jesse is catching up on his inbox after a summer break, and answering your questions! Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: [askjesse@ynab.com] (mailto:askjesse@ynab.com) Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at <a href= "https://www.youneedabudget.com">www.youneedabudget.com</a> Follow YNAB on social media: Facebook: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/iYNAB/">@iYNAB</a> Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/youneedabudget/">@youneedabudget</a> Twitter: [@ynab] (https://twitter.com/ynab) Tik Tok: <a href= "https://www.tiktok.com/@ynabofficial?lang=en">@ynabofficial</a> ... Read more

04 Sep 2023

09 MINS

09:04

04 Sep 2023

#671

Ask Jesse: Catching Up

Since Jesse has been away, the emails have been piling up! Jesse works through his backlog of Ask Jesse questions today, including a woman who has a newfound distaste for credit cards... and wrote to Jesse to tell about it! Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: [askjesse@ynab.com] (mailto:askjesse@ynab.com) Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at <a href= "https://www.youneedabudget.com">www.youneedabudget.com</a> Follow YNAB on social media: Facebook: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/iYNAB/">@iYNAB</a> Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/youneedabudget/">@youneedabudget</a> Twitter: [@ynab] (https://twitter.com/ynab) Tik Tok: <a href= "https://www.tiktok.com/@ynabofficial?lang=en">@ynabofficial</a> ... Read more

28 Aug 2023

10 MINS

10:10

28 Aug 2023

#670

An Experiment Made Permanent

Jesse is back from his summer break and ready to answer your questions and talk money! Long-time listeners of the podcast know that each year Jesse experiments with something in his financial life, whether its reconciliation intervals or category structures. This year Jesse decided to wean himself off credit cards entirely, and he provides an update on that project. So far it's looking good, and he expects that this will be a permanent change. Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: [askjesse@ynab.com] (mailto:askjesse@ynab.com) Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at <a href= "https://www.youneedabudget.com">www.youneedabudget.com</a> Follow YNAB on social media: Facebook: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/iYNAB/">@iYNAB</a> Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/youneedabudget/">@youneedabudget</a> Twitter: [@ynab] (https://twitter.com/ynab) Tik Tok: <a href= "https://www.tiktok.com/@ynabofficial?lang=en">@ynabofficial</a> ... Read more

21 Aug 2023

07 MINS

07:22

21 Aug 2023

#669

When Expenses Rise: Ben Rolls With the Punches

What do you do when the biggest line item in your budget increases, like, a lot? You engage your Rule Two super powers and roll with the punches of course. Emotionally, however, it's not easy when you have to reallocate dollars away from categories to handle the increased expenses in another category. It's not just a math problem -- each of those dollars symbolizes intentions and plans, which now must be put on hold, or changed altogether. In Ben's case, it's renovating a bathroom badly in need of a refresh. In this episode, Ben shares how he keeps his spirits up when he has to roll with punches and put plans on hold. Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: [askjesse@ynab.com] (mailto:askjesse@ynab.com) Follow Ben and Ernie on the Budget Nerds Podcast Apple: <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345</a> Spotify: <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6"> https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6</a> ... Read more

14 Aug 2023

09 MINS

09:41

14 Aug 2023

#668

Money Stress

Ernie is running solo today, and sharing some recent developments in his financial life that have made him rethink his budget entirely. YNAB'ers are creatures of habit, and many of us enjoy the budgets we have created and honed over the years as neat pieces of work in themselves. But as Jesse has said over and over on the podcast, the budget really exists to serve your needs and help you prioritize your spending in accordance with your values. Life is dynamic, and sometimes those needs change! That means the budget needs to change with your life. Ernie shares how he blew up his budget and started over after a series of home renovation projects and medical bills started taxing his existing category balances. Money stress started building -- even veteran YNAB'ers are not immune to it! -- and he realized the budget was no longer serving his needs. That's the takeaway: don't be too precious with the budget you've created, even if it has served you well for a long time. And understand that money stress happens to everyone, and that's OK! Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: [askjesse@ynab.com] (mailto:askjesse@ynab.com) Follow Ben and Ernie on the Budget Nerds Podcast Apple: <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345</a> Spotify: <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6"> https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6</a> Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at <a href= "http://www.youneedabudget.com/">www.youneedabudget.com</a> ... Read more

07 Aug 2023

06 MINS

06:31

07 Aug 2023

#667

Rules Changes: A Quick Trip Through YNAB History

Did you know that YNAB's Four Rules weren't always four? And contrary to popular belief, they did not spring forth from Jesse's head fully formed! No, the Four Rules developed over years as Jesse refined and clarified the YNAB method behind the software (and originally, the spreadsheet). Ben and Ernie take a quick spin through the history of the Four Rules, going all the way back to the very first YNAB website in 2004. Budget Nerds Episode #50: A Brief History of the YNAB Rules Apple Podcasts <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/50-a-brief-history-of-the-ynab-rules/id1606054345?i=1000581636493"> https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/50-a-brief-history-of-the-ynab-rules/id1606054345?i=1000581636493</a> Spotify <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/episode/3AdIeFpt0ZfuM0kKEF8Yr0?si=d235636937564f38"> https://open.spotify.com/episode/3AdIeFpt0ZfuM0kKEF8Yr0?si=d235636937564f38</a> Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: [askjesse@ynab.com] (mailto:askjesse@ynab.com) Follow Ben and Ernie on the Budget Nerds Podcast Apple: <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345</a> Spotify: <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6"> https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6</a> Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at <a href= "http://www.youneedabudget.com/">www.youneedabudget.com</a> ... Read more

31 Jul 2023

13 MINS

13:16

31 Jul 2023

#666

How to Talk to Your Partner About Budgeting

Ben and Ernie share their personal experiences talking to their partners about budgeting and YNAB. Every family is different, and every partnership will handle communicating about money and budgeting differently, but the important thing is that you do it! Frequent, regular money conversations help everyone stay on the same page and focused on the same goals, whether one person manages all the YNAB details or each person shares equally in that task. Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: [askjesse@ynab.com] (mailto:askjesse@ynab.com) Follow Ben and Ernie on the Budget Nerds Podcast Apple: <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345</a> Spotify: <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6"> https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6</a> Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at <a href= "http://www.youneedabudget.com/">www.youneedabudget.com</a> ... Read more

24 Jul 2023

09 MINS

09:56

24 Jul 2023

#665

Managing Vacation Transactions

It's peak vacation season, so Ben and Ernie are comparing notes on handling the vacation budget in the moment. One the one hand, you want vacation to be vacation -- a time to unplug, be in the present moment, engaged with your family and friends. On the other hand, waiting until the end of the trip to categorize all your transactions can be overwhelming! Ben and Ernie share their approach to managing the transaction log without going crazy or burying your face in your phone the whole trip. Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: [askjesse@ynab.com] (mailto:askjesse@ynab.com) Follow Ben and Ernie on the Budget Nerds Podcast Apple: <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345</a> Spotify: <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6"> https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6</a> Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at <a href= "http://www.youneedabudget.com/">www.youneedabudget.com</a> ... Read more

17 Jul 2023

06 MINS

06:28

17 Jul 2023

#664

How Often Should You Reconcile?

Reconcile your budget, that is! Ben and Ernie discuss their budget reconciliation habits, and make a case for why you should reconcile every day, especially if you are new to YNAB. Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: [askjesse@ynab.com] (mailto:askjesse@ynab.com) Follow Ben and Ernie on the Budget Nerds Podcast Apple: <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345</a> Spotify: <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6"> https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6</a> Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at <a href= "http://www.youneedabudget.com/">www.youneedabudget.com</a> ... Read more

10 Jul 2023

06 MINS

06:12

10 Jul 2023

#663

Leaving Margin for Life

Ben and Ernie share a tip for making the budget feels a little less constricting -- leave a little margin in your categories! This is not an emergency fund, Ben says, but a way to give yourself some flexibility and fun. Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email: [askjesse@ynab.com] (mailto:askjesse@ynab.com) Follow Ben and Ernie on the Budget Nerds Podcast Apple: <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345</a> Spotify: <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6"> https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6</a> Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at <a href= "http://www.youneedabudget.com/">www.youneedabudget.com</a> ... Read more

03 Jul 2023

07 MINS

07:39

03 Jul 2023

#662

One Easy Trick to Boost Your Retirement Savings

We all know we need to save for retirement, but it can feel a long ways away. Savings can always wait while you deal with something more urgent, it seems, until all of a sudden retirement starts staring you in the face! The most important factors in saving for retirement are starting early, and consistency, Ernie reminds us. How do you create consistency? There's an easy trick. If you're not yet, start contributing something -- anything! -- to your retirement accounts now. That amount will be some percentage of your income. Each quarter, increase that percentage of your income you are contributing by 1%. It doesn't seem like much, but it adds up fast! And most importantly, it's a slow enough change that it gives you time to adjust. As one YNAB listener writes in, it doesn't even feel like you're missing the extra money, while at the same time it's encouraging to see your retirement accounts going up. We want to hear your YNAB stories! Please take a moment to tell us about your biggest budgeting wins here: <a href= "https://youneedabudget.typeform.com/ynaber-stories">https://youneedabudget.typeform.com/ynaber-stories</a> Follow Ben and Ernie on the Budget Nerds Podcast Apple: <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345</a> Spotify: <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6"> https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6</a> Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at <a href= "http://www.youneedabudget.com/">www.youneedabudget.com</a> ... Read more

26 Jun 2023

05 MINS

05:51

26 Jun 2023

#661

This Question Doesn't Have to Be Scary: Can I Afford This?

Ben and Ernie ask a question that strikes fear into those who don't budget (and sometimes to those who do): can I afford this? At least for YNAB'ers, this question isn't about whether you have the dollars and cents in your bank account to make the purchase, it's about your emotion, how you feel about buying the thing in question versus something else. As Ben explains, it's about opportunity cost, and luckily YNAB is very good at helping you understand opportunity costs with your money. We want to hear your YNAB stories! Please take a moment to tell us about your biggest budgeting wins here: <a href= "https://youneedabudget.typeform.com/ynaber-stories">https://youneedabudget.typeform.com/ynaber-stories</a> Follow Ben and Ernie on the Budget Nerds Podcast Apple: <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345</a> Spotify: <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6"> https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6</a> Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at <a href= "http://www.youneedabudget.com/">www.youneedabudget.com</a> ... Read more

19 Jun 2023

09 MINS

09:28

19 Jun 2023

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#675

Shift Your Spending Into High Gear

#674

Ask Jesse: ...And Done!

#673

Ask Jesse: We're Getting There People!

#672

Ask Jesse: Still Catching Up

#671

Ask Jesse: Catching Up

#670

An Experiment Made Permanent

#669

When Expenses Rise: Ben Rolls With the Punches

#668

Money Stress

#667

Rules Changes: A Quick Trip Through YNAB History

#666

How to Talk to Your Partner About Budgeting

#665

Managing Vacation Transactions

#664

How Often Should You Reconcile?

#663

Leaving Margin for Life

#662

One Easy Trick to Boost Your Retirement Savings

#661

This Question Doesn't Have to Be Scary: Can I Afford This?