The Jesse Mecham Show

Latest Episodes:

Big Goals? Check. In the Meantime... Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

Big financial goals are great. It's what we live for at YNAB! But, life happens in between those big goals, and Jesse reminds you that it's ok to spend some money "in the meantime."

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

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A Fun Way to Do Fun Money Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

Jesse shares a fun way to handle "fun money" from long-time YNAB software engineer Kyle. Kyle suggests creating separate bank accounts for fun money with separate budgets as well. His method evolved from the desire to keep the visibility of fun money separate from his spouse, so they could 1.) take any judgment or guilt away from spending fun money, and 2.) spend on fun things for each other without ruining the surprise!

Ordinarily, Jesse advocates for simplifying your bank accounts as much as possible, but Kyle is a veteran YNAB'er and his method may be a fun experiment for you to try in your own family!

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

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The Utility (or Not) of the Month Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

We organize our lives by the calendar, and the calendar is organized into months. It's no surprise then, that we tend to think of finances in terms of months -- monthly payments, monthly contributions, having 3-6 months of expenses saved. The month has a lot of utility, but it is an arbitrary division of time. Jesse examines how the month can be useful, yet also detrimental, to making money decisions.

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

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Maybe Just Buy the Thing (and Costco) Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

Jesse waxes poetic about Costco and how simple their model makes purchasing decisions. He also brings up the point that we often spend a lot of time searching for the best deal, for that one hot tip that will maximize our dollars for a certain purchase. Our time and attention is a resource as well, and perhaps we should just go buy the thing, and be done with it.

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

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Facebook: @iYNAB

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Let's Be Clear, I Hate Debt Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

Jesse delivers a good old fashioned rant about the evils of debt. While he may have softened his rhetoric over the past decade, Jesse is no less serious about his distaste for debt!

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

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Run Like You Stole Something (to HR) Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

Well meaning companies will bring in financial advisors to extol the virtues of investing in 401ks and matching plans, while some of their employees are still living paycheck to paycheck. With YNAB, you can take control of your money and get off the paycheck to paycheck cycle, then run to HR and take that 401k match like you stole it!

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

Follow YNAB on social media:

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Instagram: @youneedabudget

Twitter: @ynab

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Money Is Chaotic, Money Is Boring Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

Money can be chaotic, noisy, tinged with anxiety and fear. Or, with YNAB, it can be boring! At YNAB we strive for money to be boring, so that life can be rich, exciting, and full.

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

Follow YNAB on social media:

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Twitter: @ynab

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Shock Absorbers Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

As the saying goes, "stuff" happens. Life throws curveballs, sometimes several in a row, and YNAB'ers prepare for this financially by following the Four Rules:

Give every dollar a job
Embrace your true expenses
Roll with the punches
Age your money

Today's episode is mostly about rule #3. When you roll with the punches, you reassign money you have saved up for other expenses in the future to cover the unexpected expense you are facing right now. After working the method for a while, you'll build up more and more money in your categories, and therefore have more money available to cover unexpeceted expenses when life decides to throw you a curveball. Think of your money like shock absorbers -- it doesn't take away all the pain or stress of unforeseen circumstances, but it does take away the money stress, which can be a blessing!

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

Follow YNAB on social media:

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Instagram: @youneedabudget

Twitter: @ynab

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Category Tractor Beam, Sucked Me Right In Jun 03, 2024

Show notes

Those categories that you love to spend in, those categories that suck you right in. What if you could increase your spending in that category by 50%? Jesse challenges you that you can in fact do this, by honing in on the things you love, and the things you don't. Spend less on the things you don't love -- not because you are cutting! -- but so that you can spend more on the things you love.

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

Follow YNAB on social media:

Facebook: @iYNAB

Instagram: @youneedabudget

Twitter: @ynab

Tik Tok: @ynabofficial

Can You Plan to Be Spontaneous? May 27, 2024

Show notes

According to Jesse, absolutely you can! In fact, YNAB enables you to be more spontaneous. Planning your spending with YNAB doesn't mean locking your dollars into rigid categories that cannot change. It means setting aside money ahead of time for the things you don't know you want yet. Many people who thrive on spontaneity unfortunately end up in financial trouble, because they're never sure whether they have the money to afford their spur of the moment purchases and experiences. Using YNAB, however, you can set up categories whose only purpose is to hold money for spontaneous expenses, so that when the time comes you can spend the money without worrying about the consequences later. It's already there, and it's meant to be spent!

Celebrate YNAB's 20th Anniversary: YNAB Fan Fest, September 21, 2024

https://www.ynab.com/events

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

Follow YNAB on social media:

Facebook: @iYNAB

Instagram: @youneedabudget

Twitter: @ynab

Tik Tok: @ynabofficial