You Need a Budget

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

My #pennyperpage for August. I should be more in the red, but I decided the books I bought in August don‘t count. August is my birthday month & this year I turned 40, so I get all the books!

dariazeoli

MallenNC As another August birthday person I support the idea that birthday month purchases don‘t count! 3y

38 likes1 comment

Amandajoy

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

New method for tracking my #pennyperpage, which is great, but I‘m still in the red. I decided souvenir books bought on vacation don‘t count in my numbers.

dariazeoli

30 likes

Amandajoy

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

My #pennyperpage June #wrapup. I didn‘t buy any books!!!

dariazeoli

dariazeoli Nice job! Iā€¦ cannot say the same š¬ 3y

Amandajoy @dariazeoli don‘t worry, we‘re going on vacation this month and I plan on hitting one of the indies. I‘m not going home empty handed. 3y

32 likes2 comments

Amandajoy

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

Catching up on my May stats. Still in the red with my #pennyperpage. To be fair, it was buy one get one 1/2 off, and This Tender Land was a #newyearwhodis pick for me and then my book club picked it as a selection for the upcoming year. (Side note - if I finish all the books I‘m currently reading I would only be down $4.35. Maybe I have too many books going?)

dariazeoli

33 likes

Amandajoy

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

Independent Bookstore Day really did me in this month. I would have been in the black had I not supported my local indies. Totally worth it. Next month, no new books. #pennyperpage #pennyperpagefail

dariazeoli

dariazeoli I am in the red, too! š¬š«š† 4y

30 likes1 comment

Amandajoy

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

And my #pennyperpage March wrap up. I‘m in the red and here are the culprits. The goal in April is to dig myself out of the hole. Maybe I should work on the chunksters I have on my nightstand.

dariazeoli

Riveted_Reader_Melissa It‘s SO hard! I should update my list too! (edited) 4y

30 likes1 comment

Amandajoy

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

Forgot to post my #pennyperpage stats! Bought an audiobook, but other than that did pretty good. However I was just looking at Libro.fm‘s sale section and they have some good ones!

dariazeoli

30 likes

Amandajoy

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

I wanted to do something creative in my bujo for #pennyperpage, but when I figured out how many squares I would need to color in to make it work, I went with this instead! I figure I will subtract the amount for books bought.

dariazeoli

39 likes

madamereadsalot1

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

Mine would be $504. That's a pretty nice book allowance! #scarathlon #teamslaughter @Clwojick

10 likes

Eggs

You Need A Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

I posted about this book a year ago. I‘ve been using the YNAB app almost a year and it‘s awesome how I know how every $ is spent and how to make financial priorities-to hold myself accountable! I used to say #moneystootight but it‘s different now

#redroseseptember
@Cinfhen @arlenefinnigan

Cinfhen Oh, MUST investigate!! Thanks for posting and sharing. I‘m curious about the app you mentioned 5y

arlenefinnigan Interesting! 5y

Ruthiella Just downloaded from library. I need this! 5y

Eggs @Cinfhen @arlenefinnigan š¤—š‘¸š¸»š¤— 5y

Eggs @Ruthiella oh I hope you like it. It was a life changer for me š‘¸š¸» 5y

68 likes5 comments

Exbrarian

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

so-so

It seems that there are plenty of people who have gleaned something from this book. I'm not one of them and I don't recommend it. It isn't awful, but I'm not the target audience, I guess.

27 likes

Exbrarian

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

I just started the tagged book via Libby because I‘ve followed the advice of the pictured book too many times to count.

45 likes

Eggs

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

pick

I posted about this book a year ago. I‘ve been using the YNAB app for almost a year and now I know where every dollar goes-I‘ve become accountable to myself and my budget

#moneystootight
#redroseseptember
@Cinfhen @arlenefinnigan

geodynamical_nonfiction

KathyWheeler I do need a budget. I‘ll have to look into this one. 6y

Velvetfur That book sounds great - stacked! 6y

ericas Let me know if it works :-) 6y

80 likes3 stack adds3 comments

kgriffith

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

Things I get to do as a moderately adulty adult: decide that bean bag furniture is absolutely valid. I‘ve wanted one of these for years, and every time I sit on it, I giggle.
Also, if you‘ve ever considered hiring a financial coach, AKA a money boss (who doesn‘t actually boss you at all), I highly recommend The Wiser Miser. #goals #adulting #yogibo #neuroqueer #ififitsisits

night_shift We have two huge been bags as additional seating in our living room and they are so amazing. I've fallen asleep in them before š‚ 6y

kgriffith @UnidragonFrag oh that‘s part of why I got this one: feature not bug! š‹ 6y

48 likes2 comments

kgriffith

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

ā€Imagine not having to wait for your next check to pay certain bills. Imagine putting them all on autopay, knowing the money will actually be there.ā€¯ #goals

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kgriffith

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

My budget for home decor includes this lampshade I found at this amazing lamp repair and antiques shop around the corner. It really ties the room together. š‹ Also, we‘ve decided that my new aesthetic is gramdma chic.

MeganAnn I love your lampshade! ā¯¤ļø¸šø 6y

kgriffith @MeganAnn thank you! It was such an exciting find š¨ 6y

laurieluna My home is very grandma chic too! Love the lampshade š¨ 6y

See All 10 Comments

CouronneDhiver Yes! I‘m a Grandma chic decorator myself. Best way to be š‚ 6y

saresmoore Grandma chic! I love it! 6y

Tonton Very elegantļ¼ 6y

TNbookworm ā¯¤ the lamp too! 6y

RidgewayGirl Years ago, my mother asked what my decorating style was and she didn‘t think that ā€eclectic garage saleā€¯ was a suitable answer. (edited) 6y

kgriffith @RidgewayGirl perfect! š 6y

Swe_Eva @RidgewayGirl š‚š‚š‚ 6y

49 likes10 comments

kgriffith

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

Been using YNAB for a while but it just clicked this past pay period. Listening to the book for added info. Testing post speed.

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kstadt929

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

This is why I made myself choose only one #BOTM, and promptly put my second choice on hold at the library š¤£ #workingonit #stillnumber3onholdlist

JoScho When is the wedding? 7y

kstadt929 @JoScho September 29 š¨ 7y

JoScho Yay!!! Congrats! 7y

kstadt929 @JoScho thank you!! š 7y

14 likes4 comments

Notafraidofwords

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

pick

This is a good beginners book to budgeting. I‘m still new at managing my money and this was a good way to start. About six months ago, I tracked my spending but didn‘t get past that. I think now I can after reading this book. Some examples are too simple and some chapters did not apply to me, but overall a pick.

saresmoore I‘ve been doing the YNAB thing for a few years now and it has been such a game changer. The four of us live on one income, that has ranged from nothing to a little to almost-maybe-enough in the past several years. We are finally living within our means and the YNAB system has helped me change the way I think about spending. I‘m much more content. 7y

Notafraidofwords @saresmoore wait. Woahhh!! Really?? I was considering looking at it. Is it very expensive? Do you have to track everything you spend or more like general spending. 7y

saresmoore You track and categorize every purchase, but it imports everything that happens in a debit or credit account. I think it‘s about $45/year, which is nothing compared to how incredibly useful it has been for me. My mom has tried to use it, but hasn‘t really stuck with it. But she‘s not pinching pennies to buy food, so she doesn‘t have the same motivation to commit. I think it‘s worth a trial run! 7y

See All 14 Comments

Notafraidofwords @saresmoore oh okay. Thank you. I‘ll look into it. I did a tracking of every expense for five months and that was so hard. But It made me realize that I was spending too much money on lunch and eating out. I‘ve since cut back and have seen improvement. 7y

Clare-Dragonfly I've been using YNAB for a few yearsā€”cool to see a review of the book! It has a 34-day free trial that can be extended to 3 months if you are a student or ask nicely. 7y

8little_paws We use the program for our budgeting, the classic version. Highly recommend!! 7y

8little_paws Oh and yes we do track every dollar we spend! I generally update it 2-3x a week 7y

Notafraidofwords @Clare-Dragonfly awesome. @8little_paws I‘m seriously considering it. Does it ask you about monetary goals you have ? 7y

8little_paws @Notafraidofwords no. You have to hear that in mind already when you set up your initial budget. 7y

saresmoore You can set up goals by category. The number stays yellow until you‘ve allocated enough money into the area to meet the goal for the month. It‘s so helpful for bills and things I‘m saving for. It‘s definitely daunting to track every single expense, but because the information comes directly from your bank account, it‘s much easier. I don‘t usually categorize cash expensesā€”I just call it cash and then feel like I have some true fun money to spend. 7y

Notafraidofwords @saresmoore I mean, it sounds awesome. It just feels daunting to get started. I‘ve only ever tracked anything by just looking at my savings and looking at my checking. Like any other way, I feel totally freaked out about. 7y

saresmoore It is daunting! I was totally overwhelmed at first. Really, if I‘m honest, my husband made me do it. š¯ But, still, it works and has removed so much stress from my life. They have excellent how-to videos, good mobile app companions, and it‘s intuitive as it imports the transactions, will even categorize automatically. I gave myself an afternoon to get started and from then on, everything money-related was simpler. 7y

saresmoore Oh and if you decide to go for the trial, I would be so happy to answer any questions or frustrations you have along the way! 7y

Notafraidofwords @saresmoore thank you so much. I‘m mainly open to the idea, because I‘m saving up to move out on my own and it‘s like I‘ve been stuck at the same number savings wise and it‘s like the thing won‘t move. It‘s super frustrating. 7y

75 likes1 stack add14 comments

daniwithtea

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

pick

This was interesting! We already use this software for budgeting, but I‘ve always felt like I was missing something. And I was! I look forward to ā€starting freshā€¯ with a new understanding and a new budget after our upcoming vacation. That said, there were parts of this that I felt strongly don‘t mesh with my outlook.

20 likes2 stack adds

janeycanuck

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

so-so

Not really necessary to pick up if you read the blog or listen to the podcast but it‘s nice to have everything in one spot. It‘s a fast read and one I‘m happy I picked up from the library instead of buying.

23 likes

janeycanuck

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

What credit card has a free pony as a reward?!? Someone please let me know, I need to get one immediately.

kidamy Don't bother, it's a Capital One card. 7y

janeycanuck @kidamy but a free pony! Just sign up for the card and never use it!!!! 7y

15 likes2 comments

TheBookDream

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

so-so

The cover is somewhat misleading. It teaches you the rules of the YNAB system, but doesn‘t really get into the nitty gritty of what this magical budget actually looks like. I can‘t use the app because I refuse to surrender my account information, so not getting a better idea of how this system actually looks was disappointing. Sort of felt like a long intro. That said, the ideas are good. Just difficult to implement as presented. #financialreads

EchoMike782 I definitely understand your frustration! So many people tall about budgeting. Few actually SHOW you what it actuslly looks like. I have been using YNAB for several years. Let me know if you'd like to see my budget and how I use YNAB. I'd be happy to help!

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want

janeycanuck If I understand your concern, it‘s that you don‘t want to link your financial accounts to YNAB? I use it and I don‘t have anything linked, I manually enter everything. If that‘s not what you meant, just ignore the crazy person in your comments š™ 7y

TheBookDream @EchoMike782 and @janeycanuck Thanks for your comments and offers! I apologize for not commenting sooner. Yes, I couldn‘t use YNAB because nothing in the free trial indicated I could use it without hooking up all my accounts. I‘m a bit old-fashioned and have no interest in doing that. I didn‘t know about the manual option and wish that had been explained when I had the free trial. Now that I‘ve burned through that I‘m unsure what I‘ll do. 7y

janeycanuck I tried YNAB years ago and it didn‘t click but I deleted my account and was able to sign up for a new free trial. And definitely google 3-month trial cause I think the standard is about 2 weeks but I needed way longer to feel comfortable with it. ETA: I think if you email them, they‘ll reset your trial, too. Maybe try starting with that instead of deleting and resigning up. (edited) 7y

20 likes4 comments

TheBookDream

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham

So IBOTTA is running another promotion. Use the referral link https://ibotta.com/r/wwoatvs or code: wwoatvs and I get something for each person that signs up, and I believe you get a welcome bonus after you redeem your first specific rebate. Legit company, Iā€ve made over $80 using this app! #financialreads #moneymakingapps #Bostonview #neededanexcuseforthispic

13 likes

TheBookDream

You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want | Jesse Mecham