The Jesse Mecham Show

Latest Episodes:

Jesse Chats with a Guy Who Has Never Used a Credit Card Apr 03, 2023

Show notes

Jesse talks with a man who has never used a credit card -- YNAB's own Ben Barlowe, who you may also recognize from the Budget Nerds podcast. Ben is 34 years old, has four children, a house (purchase with a mortgage), and a busy life! Believe it or not, he has been able to navigate life without ever having used a credit card.

Ben discusses the reasoning behind his personal decision to not use credit cards, how he obtained a mortgage with no credit score, and how he manages day to day expenses such as renting cars without a credit card.

Credit cards are ubiquitous these days, but that doesn't mean you HAVE to use one. Ben demonstrates that it's possible to have a robust, well-planned financial life without credit!

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

Ask Jesse: Talk Slower, Pay Down Debt Faster Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

It's time for another round of Ask Jesse! Jesse fields questions from podcast listeners about how to manage multiple bank accounts, negative budgeting, and whether he can slow down his speech pattern (sorry Leslie!)

Find a YNAB Certified Coach:

https://www.ynab.com/coaching-directory/

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

Rule One and the Pursuit of Nothing Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

Jesse challenges the idea of constantly pursuing something financially. For many of us in the modern world, our default is to always be chasing something -- more things, more experiences, more retirement funds, more debt paid down. Some of these things are a net good, some... maybe not. Jesse reminds us that our financial life doesn't always have to be in pursuit of something. It's ok to just let your money support your life, and nothing more. Can you do that, just for a little while?

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

Expensive Is a Lazy Word Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

When people say "that's too expensive," what do they mean really? That they can't afford it, that it costs too much for a certain group of people, that it costs too much on principle? Jesse relates Rule One to the word "expensive" and concludes that its meaning is too slippery to be a useful term for people following the Four Rules.

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

Ask Jesse: Travel Hacking, Credit Cards, and YNAB'er Experiences Mar 06, 2023

Show notes

In this installment of Ask Jesse, Jesse answers questions from podcast listeners about travel hacking and credit card and debit card fraud protection. He also reads an experience from one YNAB'er who switched from using credit cards to debit cards.

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

Rule One and DIY FTW Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

Jesse analyzes a recent situation in which he was planning to build something in his wood shop, when a friend remarked that he could buy the same thing a lot cheaper. While we talk about money all the time in YNAB, and frequently equate money with time, and discuss the tradeoffs of buying this thing versus that thing -- Jesse reminds us that we don't have to think of everything in terms of economic decisions. Sometimes you give dollars a job (Rule One) which is for sheer enjoyment.

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

Debit vs Credit Card Smackdown (and a Rant) Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

In response to episode #603 "You Spend More Money with Credit Cards," many listeners wrote Jesse to pick a bone with his claim that the debit card was a superior way to pay for things. The arguments usually boil down to the assertion that credit cards have better purchase protection and fraud prevention compared to debit cards. Jesse addresses these concerns, and more, on today's episode.

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

Ask Jesse: Save for Cars or Pay Down Mortgage, Debt Consolidation, and How Do You Know When to Spend? Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

Jesse answers questions from the YNAB mailbag, including whether a couple should save for new cars to replace aging vehicles, or pay down the mortgage faster, whether debt consolidation is a good idea, and how exactly do you know when it's ok to spend money?

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

One Thing That Tells You You're Doing Money Right Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

Jesse shares one key indicator that you are budgeting and doing your money right.

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

A Major Downside to Not Having Money Stress Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

Not having money stress is a GREAT feeling to have. But a YNAB employee, Katie, pointed out a downside to it -- people assume you make more money than you really do. Because who else would have no money stress except people who are rolling it in?

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com