Skip to Content
Skip to Content

The Complete Guide to YNAB’s Proven Method

The book on making your money work for you.

Buy the Book
Buy the Book

Why You Need This Book

Think of a budget as a lifestyle-design blueprint. It’s a working plan for taking your life from where you are now to where you really want to be: Zero debt. Home ownership. Travel. Less financial anxiety.

In this complete guide—the first book based on the principles behind the award-winning financial platform—you’ll be given the tools to learn how to track your expenses, stick to a spending plan, and make your money work for you.

Watch The YNAB Book

“If you’re ready for a casual yet persuasive approach to handling your finances, read on.”

—Peter Adeney, personal finance blogger a.k.a Mr. Money Mustache

This book will help you…

  • Crystalize your priorities in life.

  • Re-frame how you view money.

  • Get out of debt (and stay out) for good.

  • Navigate money in your relationships.

  • Talk about money with your kids.

About the Author

Jesse Mecham founded YNAB in 2004 to help him and his wife, Julie, watch their money. While studying for his master of accountancy, Jesse put his numbers wizardry to work to develop an expense-tracking system. A few (ok, more than a few) versions later, this is now the YNAB Method and software that exists today. He lives in Utah with his family.

“I’ve captured everything I’ve learned and refined over the last 13+ years, into a single, all-inclusive, no-sequel-necessary, this-is-my-best-thinking book.
Is it overly dramatic to say this is my life’s work, all encapsulated in an approachable, fun-to-read, this-would-make-a-great-wedding-present kind of way? Why yes, it is overly dramatic. This is my life’s work, and I can’t wait to get it into your hands.”

—Jesse Mecham

Praise for You Need A Budget

  • You’re going to love this book

    When your financial planner says you need a budget, it’s like a door slamming shut on a happy future. When Jesse Mecham says it, it’s like a door swinging open to a free life. He understands how financial stress feels. His principles and tools come right out of his own life experience, but also from his CPA training. His system is psychologically and financially sound. You’re going to love this book.”

    —Vicki Robin coauthor of “Your Money or Your Life”

  • Get more out of life

    Jesse Mecham finally gives budgeting a much-needed rebranding with You Need a Budget. You will learn that the true secret of using a budget is to get more out of life, not to feel restricted.”

    —Erin Lowry author of “Broke Millennial”

  • Simple rules make it easy

    Jesse Mecham has achieved the impossible: a book on budgeting that is fascinating, entertaining, and practical. Read this book, follow his advice, then watch your bank account grow and your financial worries fade. Managing your money doesn’t have to be stressful. Jesse Mecham’s simple rules make it easy to get what you want most by forgoing things you won’t miss.”

    —Josh Kaufman bestselling author of “The Personal MBA”

Purchase Today