How do you set up a system that handles all the money coming in, all the money going out, and makes sure that it’s being done right month after month? And how do you do it without losing your mind or having to quit your job to keep track of it all? Here’s my system for handling it effectively with as little ongoing work as possible.Read more…
Why You Need “You Need a Budget”
Posted December 19, 2017
My wife and I had hit a breaking point. We were consistently making more than we needed each month, but we still couldn’t seem to get a handle on everything. We weren’t on the same page, unexpected expenses were regularly throwing us off track, and our savings were shrinking rather than growing. Then we decided to try YNAB, and everything changed.Read more…
The Only 21 Things Our Newborn Kids Ever Really Needed
Posted November 28, 2017
I remember it well. Walking into Babies R Us, checklist in hand, ready to buy all the things we “needed” for our first-born son. Man, were we clueless. And man, did we ever overspend! The good news is that you can learn from my mistakes. Here are the only 21 things our newborn kids ever really needed.Read more…
A Comprehensive Guide to Building Your Emergency Fund
Posted May 9, 2017
The security to handle whatever comes your way and the freedom to pursue the life you want without worrying how you’ll pay your bills. That’s the promise of a good emergency fund. Here’s everything you need to know about how to build it over time, how big it should eventually be, and where you should keep it.Read more…
Why Good Habits Are Better Than a Strict Budget
Posted April 25, 2017
If you’ve ever tried and failed to stick to a budget, you can take heart in the fact that you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, myself included. It’s also pretty likely that you were given some bad budgeting advice that at least partially led to your failure. Here’s a better approach that’s both easier and more effective.Read more…
