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Jesse Mecham

YNAB Founder

Jesse Mecham is a personal finance expert, speaker, business leader, and the Founder of You Need A Budget (or YNAB if you are very busy and important). Jesse hosts the YNAB podcast, and is the Wall Street Journal best-selling author of book You Need A Budget. (He’s nothing if not consistent!) A self-proclaimed “recovering CPA,” he is deeply passionate about teaching individuals, families, and business owners YNAB’s Four Rules so they can gain total control of their money. 

Jesse first developed the YNAB method as a broke, newly married college student who really needed a budget. In an attempt to make an additional $300/month to cover rent, he sold his budgeting spreadsheet online and YNAB was born. Since 2004, the software has grown into a leading personal finance platform and has helped hundreds of thousands of people break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, get out of debt, and save more money. Now, YNAB has a growing team living and working all around the world, and has built a thriving remote culture that earned recognition as Fortune’s #1 best small company to work for (YNAB was doing remote work before it was cool!). When not teaching people how to budget, Jesse loves gardening, woodworking, marksmanship, and travel. He also spends a good bit of time with his wife and the seven small people that live in their house.

All articles by

Jesse

5 Tips for Financial Bliss

Do you struggle to manage finances with your partner? Here's how to set yourself up for harmonious money discussions that are light on tension.

8 Ways Rich People Think Differently

Ever wondered how rich people think differently? See the key factors in how they built their wealth and start putting them into practice.

Yep, Dave Ramsey's Budget Principles Jibe with YNAB

For those who are familiar with Financial Peace University (or even if you're not), here's how the seven baby steps line up with YNAB's system.

Is Balancing a Checkbook Necessary?

Are you wondering if it's necessary to keep balancing your checkbook? I say no. It's not worth your time, and I'll lay out why.

Learn How to Stay Out of Debt

Want to stay out of debt? Treat zero like it's not an option. When you're serious about saying no, your brain starts working out another way.

I Hate Debt, But the Reasons Why Might Surprise You

What does YNAB say about debt? We look at how the YNAB Method views this topic. Turns out the Four Rules have a lot to say!

How I Use the Four Rules to Hit My Health Goals

You've mastered your budget with the Four Rules, now apply the same method to mastering your diet. Read more about how to hit health goals.

YNAB 4 Support Ends October 2019

Apple announced that its newest Operating System, called Catalina, will not support 32-bit apps. YNAB 4 is most definitely a 32-bit app.

Learn YNAB’s Rule Three: Roll With the Punches

Understanding Your True Expenses (The Power of Rule Two)

This is Rule Two: Embrace Your True Expenses. Break up that larger, less-frequent expense into month-size chunks that you can manage.

What’s the Difference Between Budget vs. Bank Account?

YNAB let's you see your money from two different angles—in your bank accounts or in your budget. Same money, different organization.

Are You Doing Allowance All Wrong?

If you are anything like me, and mildly freaked out about spoiling your six kids, you are going to love this.