Jesse challenges the idea of constantly pursuing something financially. For many of us in the modern world, our default is to always be chasing something -- more things, more experiences, more retirement funds, more debt paid down. Some of these things are a net good, some... maybe not. Jesse reminds us that our financial life doesn't always have to be in pursuit of something. It's ok to just let your money support your life, and nothing more. Can you do that, just for a little while?

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

[email protected]

Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at www.youneedabudget.com

When people say "that's too expensive," what do they mean really? That they can't afford it, that it costs too much for a certain group of people, that it costs too much on principle? Jesse relates Rule One to the word "expensive" and concludes that its meaning is too slippery to be a useful term for people following the Four Rules.

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

[email protected]

Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at www.youneedabudget.com

In this installment of Ask Jesse, Jesse answers questions from podcast listeners about travel hacking and credit card and debit card fraud protection. He also reads an experience from one YNAB'er who switched from using credit cards to debit cards.

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

[email protected]

Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at www.youneedabudget.com

Jesse analyzes a recent situation in which he was planning to build something in his wood shop, when a friend remarked that he could buy the same thing a lot cheaper. While we talk about money all the time in YNAB, and frequently equate money with time, and discuss the tradeoffs of buying this thing versus that thing -- Jesse reminds us that we don't have to think of everything in terms of economic decisions. Sometimes you give dollars a job (Rule One) which is for sheer enjoyment.

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

[email protected]

Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at www.youneedabudget.com

In response to episode #603 "You Spend More Money with Credit Cards," many listeners wrote Jesse to pick a bone with his claim that the debit card was a superior way to pay for things. The arguments usually boil down to the assertion that credit cards have better purchase protection and fraud prevention compared to debit cards. Jesse addresses these concerns, and more, on today's episode.

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

[email protected]

Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at www.youneedabudget.com

Jesse answers questions from the YNAB mailbag, including whether a couple should save for new cars to replace aging vehicles, or pay down the mortgage faster, whether debt consolidation is a good idea, and how exactly do you know when it's ok to spend money?

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

[email protected]

Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at www.youneedabudget.com

Jesse shares one key indicator that you are budgeting and doing your money right.

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

[email protected]

Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at www.youneedabudget.com

Not having money stress is a GREAT feeling to have. But a YNAB employee, Katie, pointed out a downside to it -- people assume you make more money than you really do. Because who else would  have no money stress except people who are rolling it in?

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

[email protected]

Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at www.youneedabudget.com

Jesse fields more listener questions today, including what you should do when you double your income (teaser: there's really not a wrong answer as long as it's saving!), how to budget for real estate investments, and whether debit cards have sufficient fraud protection to use over credit cards.

Please keep your questions coming! Send them to:

[email protected]

Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at www.youneedabudget.com

Jesse answers listener questions about tracking 401k deposits in YNAB and how to strategize paying off student loans. Jesse shares his evolving thoughts about credit cards, and why the Mecham household will only use a single debit card for expenses in 2023.

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

[email protected]

Sign up for a free 34-day trial of YNAB at www.youneedabudget.com