You Need a Budget is the expense tracker/budgeter that requires no introduction…but we’ll give it one anyways! In 2004, Jesse Mecham launched this ground-breaking software, allowing money masters and novices alike to easily track their money and plan for a financially stress-free future. Jesse may have been the perfect person to build a product like this—he started tracking his expenses at age sixteen for fun! As Jesse grew older, he continued to track his expenses regularly, allowing him to have a tight hold on his money and fight back the urge to go into debt. When his wife decided to take a backseat on working and have children, Jesse started to work harder at converting YNAB from a simple spreadsheet to a full-blown business. He was so conservative that three years into the business when he was making twice as much as his accountant salary, he continued to reinvest almost every cent of profit so he could have a strong financial foundation behind him. Now, some eighteen years after launching, Jesse still holds the principles that he started YNAB with. He lives a simple lifestyle, enjoying “parlor time” with his seven children, keeping a strong emergency fund, and investing in a very, very conservative manner. Take it from someone like Jesse who has “made it”—budgeting can change your life.  In This Episode We Cover Why budgeting and expense tracking are important at an early age  How simple expense tracking allows you to save and invest more while starving off debt The four money rules that will change the way you think about your finances  Where to keep the money that you’re saving for emergencies, down payments, and more How to know it’s the right time to quit your job and pursue your passions Running your real estate business through YNAB’s intuitive budgeting  Why Jesse refuses to invest in high-risk assets while building his business And So Much More! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices