You Need A Budget (ynab)

I'm pleased to announce the launch of "YNAB Works!" A Home Study Guide+DVD Video package for schools, clients, kids of awesome parents, employees…basically anyone you care about :)

Instead of takling about how we budget, which is just how I teach, and nothing special. I wanted to discuss everything else financial, how and why I do the things I do, and let you then draw your own conclusion. I'm no expert on this, butit may give you some ideas.

Are you finances managed with the future in mind? Where YOU could sleep through anything?

I have two rules when it comes to buying a car. Don't buy new, and don't finance it.  Broke both of those.

When you're in a job you don't like, there's friction, because you're not spending your time doing something you love. When your money's misbehaving, there's friction. Because your money isn't doing things you love.

My interview with Joe Mihalic, who paid off $90,000 of debt in 7 months, because he got intense, got focused, and made it happen. You can catch Joe's book on Amazon (for $2.99) called Destroy Student Debt - a Combat Guide to Freedom. 

What will your holiday season look like 13 months from now? And why am I making you think about it?!

I'm throwing down here. Not really. Did a major, MAJOR closet cleaning, and it feels GREAT!

In this interview, I speak with Linda I (psuedonym), a Debtor's Anonymous participant. The program deserves a serious look if you, or someone you know, has a serious debt addiction.

It turns out that protecting yourself from Identity Theft doesn't mean you have to give up Facebook (whew), or stop shopping online (whew, love me some Amazon Prime). I interview Robert Siciliano, an ID Theft Expert, and he basically put me at ease on the whole situation.

My little brother got his wings from the Air Force this weekend, and on the tour, I got to see an air traffic control room. Guess what it reminded me of?

If you're like most (and you probably are), you're driving too much car. Consider how it just might be keeping you from the financial goals you REALLY care about.

This is epicly long. My first goal with YNAB was to make our $350 rent. And now in 2011 we were Utah's 9th fastest growing company. Who…woulda…thought.

I love what Jon Stein's doing over at Betterment. If you're afraid of investing, you should listen to this. If you want to be lazy about your investing, you should listen to this.

If I ever start another company, it will be to make a toaster so well-built, you'll pass it on to your grandkids. Has the "cheaper is better" skewed our instincts that used to follow the law of the harvest?

What's your retirement savings rate? Have you started saving for retirement? What aspects of your retirement nest egg are actually in your control?

Todd was a panelist at FinCon12, where the topic was the new retirement. I was impressed by Todd's analytical approach, and approachableness (is that a word?) on the topic. He also managed to find financial freedom by age 35. And by "find", I mean work his tail off to get there.

I LOVED doing this interview! Leo really helped me think through priorities, gaining clarity, and determining what matters. I'm more zen-like because of it :)

The study says $70,000 and it's gotten me thinking about downsizing. Not the house really, just in general. Though nothing's off the chopping block just yet.

You're not really saving money. You're simply acknowledging future expenses.