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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

The Investing Series: Rate of Return

Welcome to another Whiteboard Wednesday! This week we continue with our super-special series about investing.

Investing Basics: Part Three

This is Part 3 of a super-special Whiteboard Wednesday series, where we’re talking about the basics of investing. If you’re just now joining the party (glad you could make it!), you can click here to get caught up! This Is Not a Pitch.

You Don’t Have to Be a Genius to Invest Like a Pro

This is Part 2 of an extra-special Whiteboard Wednesday series where I’ll walk you through the basics of investing. If you missed Part 1, click here to go watch that now. And you read that right—You don’t have to be a genius to invest better than most pros.

What Age Should My Kids Start Budgeting?

Eight is the perfect age to start budgeting with your kids. They are old enough to understand, to learn from mistakes, to benefit from good choices.

2 Rules You Need To Know To Buy A Car With Cash

You can buy a car with cash. It won't happen by accident. It won't happen without effort, but it is a realistic and worthwhile goal.

4 Ways Your Relationship Gets Better With Budgeting

What couple doesn't want more money and less fighting about money? Here is how budgeting can and will improve your relationship.

Join Me In Ecuador?

Join me for a week in Ecuador for a week of adventure and conversation surrounding life, freedom, happiness, and investing!

What are True Expenses?

True Expenses in YNAB are non-monthly bills and expenses like auto insurance, holiday gifts, or a tuition bill.

The Many (Tax) Benefits Of Charitable Giving

It's "the most wonderful time of the year" so why not ruin it with a little talk about tax strategy, eh? Sugar plum fairies dance in some people's heads. My marginal tax rate and the timing of charitable contributions dance in my head. There's power in giving your money away. It asserts your authority.

It’s Time To Recharge

Slowing things down from time to time is important, to help you recharge and give everything you’ve got to whatever is next.

Break The Paycheck To Paycheck Cycle

As soon as you break the cycle, you are able to back away from the financial edge, which allows you to make better decisions.

Want To Be A Better Budgeter? Count Your Blessings

Anything you can do to help yourself feel more gratitude will make you more content. The more content you are the better your budget will be!