The YNAB Podcast

Rules Changes: A Quick Trip Through YNAB History

Jul 31, 2023

13:16

Snipd AI

Explore the evolution of YNAB's Four Rules over the years, from a simple spreadsheet to an essential budgeting method. Learn about the correlation between rule three and four, the concept of aging your money, zero-based budgeting, and the rule about mistakes and paying yourself back. Discover the personal anecdotes about the embrace of the rules and the importance of timing in spending. Dive into the current rules including giving every dollar a job, embracing true expenses, rolling with the punches, and aging your money.

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Quick takeaways

The evolution of the YNAB method led to the current set of rules: give every dollar a job, embrace your true expenses, roll with the punches, and age your money.

The YNAB method is the core selling point that led to continuous refinement of the rules, prioritizing clarity, practicality, and precise teaching methods.

Deep dives

Evolution of the Four Rules

The podcast episode discusses the evolution of the four rules of the YNAB method over the years. It starts from the earliest version of the method, which had no rules and was just a simple spreadsheet. The rules began to take shape in 2004, with three rules: live within your means, spend after you earn, and save for a rainy day. Over time, the rules evolved and changed in name and order. By 2015, the current set of rules emerged: give every dollar a job, embrace your true expenses, roll with the punches, and age your money.

Introduction

2min

The Early History and Rules of the Podcast Show

2min

Evolution of YNAB Rules and Introduction of Concepts

3min

Evolution of Rules in You Need A Budget (YNAB)

4min

Exploring the Rules of Budgeting in YNAB

2min

Did you know that YNAB's Four Rules weren't always four? And contrary to popular belief, they did not spring forth from Jesse's head fully formed! No, the Four Rules developed over years as Jesse refined and clarified the YNAB method behind the software (and originally, the spreadsheet). Ben and Ernie take a quick spin through the history of the Four Rules, going all the way back to the very first YNAB website in 2004.

Budget Nerds Episode #50: A Brief History of the YNAB Rules

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/50-a-brief-history-of-the-ynab-rules/id1606054345?i=1000581636493

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3AdIeFpt0ZfuM0kKEF8Yr0?si=d235636937564f38

Got a question for Jesse? Send him an email:

askjesse@ynab.com

Follow Ben and Ernie on the Budget Nerds Podcast

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/budget-nerds/id1606054345

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0H1u8pqYrvz6zj6noHbkB3?si=fc181a82b8d540a6