Money Habits

How You Never Get Anything Done (But Do it Perfectly!)

Jonathan over at MyMoneyBlog had a great article about how the concept of Kaizen ties in to personal finance. According to Wikipedia: a Japanese philosophy that focuses on continuous improvement throughout all aspects of life.

Jesse Mecham

June 17, 2008

Learn How Living on a Budget is Peace

Peace comes from aligning your money with your goals. It comes from the decision to have your money do what you actually want it to do.

Jesse Mecham

April 7, 2007

Waiting for the Perfect Month? Just Keep on Waiting

The normal month is the month where an unbelievable amount of unexpected things culminate and knock you financially off balance.

Jesse Mecham

August 31, 2006

Budgeting: Have Fun with It (Part III)

Let’s face it, you need to have a bit of fun with your money. It’s vital to a functioning financial situation.

Jesse Mecham

December 19, 2005

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

“Ishouldbut” is not a word, so don’t say it.

YNABers who request budget reviews are a couple steps ahead of most of us – they open themselves up to criticism. This takes real guts.

Jesse Mecham

October 24, 2013

In Times of Financial Struggle, Keep the Truth in Front of You

My friend started a budget. His situation isn't easy, but during this struggle, it’s crucial that he keep his financial truth in front of him.

Mark Butler

July 2, 2018

5 Common Budgeting Breakdowns...and How to Get Past Them

While you're getting started with budgeting, you may hit a few snags. Use the recommended reading (and videos) to help you stay on track.

Jesse Mecham

February 14, 2014

Quarterly Checkup: How Healthy Are Your Finances?

Learn why you should review your personal budget on a quarterly basis, and how that data can help you budget more accurately!

Jesse Mecham

September 29, 2022

A Tip to Manage Your Money? Write it Down!

I challenge you to write down every single thing you spend. Your expenditures will drop–guaranteed. Write it down!

Jesse Mecham

October 19, 2004