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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

Rainy Day Funds: What Are They and Do You Need Them?

Wondering what a rainy day fund is? We'll explain what rainy day funds are and why you need 'em in this post.

Budgeting Together: Who Does What?

When we talk about "budgeting together" it doesn't mean both people do everything. So what does budgeting with a partner actually look like?

What Does an Ideal Budget Look Like?

If you're wondering what an ideal budget looks like, we've got you covered. I've been budgeting for years. Here's what my budget looks like!

2 Ways to Handle Irregular Income in Your Budget in Excel

If you're trying to budget with an irregular income in Excel, check out these two solutions to handle your variable inflows like a champ.

5 Essential Steps to Use an Excel Budget

Excel your Household Budget with the following tips and tricks on how to effectively set up and use an Excel-based budget.

Should I Consolidate My Student Loans? No, and Here’s Why

Wondering if you should consolidate your student loans? I don't think you should, and my reasons why aren't what you might expect.

Why Should You Buy You Need A Budget, the Book?

If you’re a seasoned YNABer, you might be thinking, “I've been an expert YNABer for years. Why should I buy the book?” Valid question.

Your Budget's Got Your Back

Budget denial is a real thing. Today we’re going to talk about its causes, symptoms and, most importantly, the cure (hint: it probably involves budgeting).

Why Do You Need a Budget?

As society shifts towards a preference for plastic (and all sorts of other mind-boggling, but frictionless, technologies), we need to be really aware ...

YNAB Credit Card Handling: New & Improved

Based on feedback and testing, we’ve made some tweaks to improve the way that YNAB handles credit cards. Jesses explains ...

How to Decide Your Budget Priorities

What if you could just want what you want for no other reason than you want it? What if you could accept that your priorities were yours and yours alone?

What Is The Point Of A Tracking Account?

Why we have Tracking Accounts and how it could give you a leg up financially