Money Habits

New Year’s Resolutions

Sure Christmas is coming up in 22 days, and we’re probably all a bit focused on everything that has to do with Christmas. But, you do realize, that just seven days after Christmas you’ll have 2006 staring you (blankly?) in the face. What will you do with it? I love to exercise.

Jesse Mecham

December 3, 2005

Dear Budget: An Open Apology Letter to my Budget

An open apology letter to my budget, which has supported my life while helping me reach my goals. I promise to stick to a budget from now on!

Erin Lowell

June 7, 2010

Activities that Raise Awareness (Whiteboard Wednesday)

We discuss both budgeting and data entry, and how different activities land on a y-axis of awareness (we want more awareness, keeping mind diminishing returns obviously).

Jesse Mecham

March 31, 2010

Weighing Effort & Reward

Sometimes it makes sense to simplify your budget and take a lower effort approach, especially when un-needed complications are holding you back.

Jesse Mecham

February 3, 2010

Dear Account Balance...It's Over

Dear Account Balance, I’m really, really sorry about this. I know, it being Valentine’s Day and all, my timing couldn’t be worse, but…I just can’t pretend any longer. It’s over. I know we’ve had some good times in the past.

Jesse Mecham

February 13, 2012

The Six Levels of Awareness

What do weight loss and money management have in common? Awareness. How powerful is awareness, coupled with nothing else? Very powerful.

Jesse Mecham

February 9, 2011

How I Lost Weight & What It Has to Do With Budgeting

We’d reach our goals more quickly and with less stress by making some simple (not necessarily easy) structural changes to our lives.

Mark Butler

June 20, 2018

How to Defeat Denial, Entitlement, and Wussiness

Yesterday I spent time reading through YNAB users’ journals in the forum (worth the time, by the way). The journals are a mixed bag.

Mark Butler

April 19, 2018

Just a Spoonful of Hope Helps the Reality Check Go Down.

The comments following my 2012 budget recap were awesome. I’m motivated to invest more by spending less. A few commenters were a bit down on themselves for where they are currently at financially, which is what spurred the following thoughts.

Jesse Mecham

March 15, 2013