Money is both super simple and super complicated. For many of us, managing finances was a steep learning curve—and some of us are still figuring it out! The biggest hurdle to a rich future is often a lack of financial education and core money principles. And when you look around for advice, it’s tough to know where to cash in and where to leave it on the table.
In terms of money management, it pays to learn from experts who’ve been in the game for decades. These are the ones offering tried-and-true methods that lead to prosperity time and time again, regardless of economic or cultural shifts. Those so-called “pros” pushing sneaky hacks and get-rich-quick trends? Hard pass.
To help followers invest in their future and manage money wisely, Michael and Lauryn brought in one of the OG financial educators. You can listen to Jesse Mecham, founder of YNAB (You Need a Budget), share his sure-fire methods for financial peace below. But if you’re ready to make smart money moves right now, we’ll share the key takeaways from YNAB’s method below:
Who Is Jesse Mecham: Meet the Founder of YNAB
Jesse Mecham is a personal finance expert who’s helped thousands reach their financial goals. Over the last 20 years, he has released multiple books, countless podcast episodes, and even a game-changing app and budgeting method called “You Need a Budget” (YNAB.)
In his personal life, Jesse enjoys spending time with his wife, Julie, and their seven children. Aside from personal finance, Jesse loves gardening, woodworking, marksmanship, and travel, giving him plenty to keep busy. Needless to say, he has a lot to be proud of!
Here’s more on Jesse Mecham and his career:
Entrepreneur
Like many business owners, Jesse comes from humble beginnings. He was a newly married college student studying accounting who just needed extra cash for rent (and the occasional donut). To make ends meet, he created a simple spreadsheet system and sold it online as a downloadable Excel file for $19.95.
It grew quickly from there, turning from a side project into a full-time business. Jesse officially created YNAB (You Need a Budget) in 2004 and bootstrapped the company on his own. He and his remote team built a strong, loyal audience by prioritizing education first, not the final sale. Basically, he was doing content marketing before content marketing was a thing!
Today, YNAB is a multi-million-dollar software company that helps real people that live paycheck to paycheck reach their financial potential. Jesse Mecham remains deeply involved in the business and says he spends a good bit of time every day simply talking with people. This helps him stay grounded in his mission to help individuals escape financial hardship.
For more on the start of YNAB, listen to Jesse share his personal finance and entrepreneurship journey on the Him & Her Show.
Author
Jesse Mecham knew the best way to reach the masses was by writing a book outlining his money management method. His book, You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want was a massive success and even made him a Wall Street Journal best-selling author.
He followed it up with a second book to expand on the YNAB methodology: The Debt Consolidation Myth: A Proven Method to Help You Get Out of Debt While Still Living Your Life (YNAB 80/20 Book 2). This one focuses on maintaining financial discipline and continuing to make progress even after hitting your initial goals. His followers were doing so well that they needed a “now what?” guide—which is pretty amazing!
Podcast Host
As media has evolved over the decades, Jesse Mecham recognized a new way to help people: podcasting. It became the perfect vessel for his financial education content, letting him speak directly to those who need guidance the most. His podcast, The Jesse Mecham Show, covers practical budgeting strategies, personal anecdotes, and broader financial topics.
He also appears on other podcasts to reach new audiences and continue shaping the modern personal finance landscape. Of course, you can also dive into the Jesse Mecham podcast with TSC. It’s one of the best!
What Is You Need A Budget App?
You Need A Budget (YNAB) has evolved from a simple spreadsheet into a comprehensive money management app. YNAB empowers users to take control of their finances with intentional budgeting tools.
The app offers bank integration, extensive customization options, educational resources, and multi-platform access. It’s so easy for YNAB users to manage money anytime, anywhere. Because of this, it’s one of the best tools out there for creating real, lasting change in your financial habits!
Jesse Mecham Book: You Need A Budget Core Concepts
The You Need a Budget book is packed with incredible financial advice. You really just have to read it to get the full picture! However, we’ll give you some of the basics of the YNAB method below.
You can also hear some solid money advice straight from the financial guru himself on the Him & Her Show. Here’s Jesse Mecham discussing spending, saving, and aligning your money with your values and lifestyle.
Give every dollar a purpose.
Jesse strongly believes in giving every dollar a job—no money should just be floating discretionary cash. It just doesn’t help you reach your long-term goals! This methodology allows you to maintain control, be highly intentional, and achieve total financial clarity.
Plan for unexpected expenses.
“Unexpected” and “planning” may seem oxymoronic, but this step is crucial to budgeting. Essentially, you need to expect that things will go wrong. Cars will break down, appliances will stop working, someone will break an arm… You get the idea!
Instead of being blindsided, Jesse recommends budgeting for these inevitable expenses. Car repairs, medical bills, and home maintenance should all be included in your budget.
Adjust throughout the month if needed.
Jesse doesn’t believe in a fixed budget. Life happens! (As we just discussed in the unexpected expenses section.) When you go over in one category or under in another, adjust your budget throughout the month. The YNAB app makes this easy, letting you reallocate funds on the fly.
Age your money before spending it.
Spending the money you just earned can leave you short before your next paycheck, especially if a surprise expense pops up. Jesse emphasizes the importance of “aging” your money. This means you use last month’s income to cover this month’s expenses. This creates breathing room and reduces financial stress.
Focus on behavior, not tools and hacks.
Jesse is a firm believer that money management is all about behavior. No app, tool, or trick will magically help you reach your financial goals. Ultimately, success comes from how intentionally you handle your finances every day. That’s why he’s so passionate about providing financial education through his podcast and YNAB resources.
Stop living paycheck-to-paycheck with the YNAB method!
There are countless benefits to financial planning—most of us don’t need convincing that good spending and saving habits matter. That said, managing money is easier said than done. Let Jesse Mecham show you how to transform your financial picture and finally find peace with your money!
Not convinced yet? Listen to some of YNAB’s success stories. And while we’re on the topic, check out more finance-themed episodes of Him & Her for practical tips and advice:
- From Debt To Financial Freedom: Michael Bosstick’s Guide To Mastering Money At Any Stage
- Master Your Money & Secure Financial Freedom Ft. Katy Song – Chief Financial Planner At Domain Money
- Morgan Housel – How to Master Money & Never Worry About Your Finances Again