

Budget Nerds
You Need a Budget
Personal finance experts Ben Barlowe and Ernie Reppe get nerdy with numbers as they share budgeting tips, strategies for categorizing transactions, and lessons learned from using the revolutionary budgeting system known as You Need a Budget.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 18min
#124 - 7 Habits That Changed Our Money Forever
It's often said that sucess is the result of your daily habits. In today's episode, Ben and Ernie talk about seven habits that completed changed how they think about and act around money, including: Giving every dollar a job (the ultimate YNAB rule!) Only working with the money you have on hand right now Saving for non-monthly expenses Getting a month ahead Finding the money first in your plan, before you spend Holding on to your cash as long as possible Changing your plan regularly to reflect new life circumstances Other resources mentioned in this episode: Understanding the credit card float in YNAB Follow Budget Nerds on YouTube Budget Nerds Livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/@YNABofficial/streams Budget Nerds Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuIUGmbCDklkDCDm-cQqv2g Share your YNAB wins with Ben and Ernie! budgetnerds@ynab.com

28 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 3min
#123 - How to Start YNAB (Simple, No Hassle Setup)
Dive into the world of budgeting with insights on setting up YNAB from scratch. Learn essential steps for creating a personalized budget and adjust categories for life changes. Discover unique concepts like a remote work fund to boost productivity. Get tips on managing credit card payments and handling non-monthly expenses effortlessly. Plus, enjoy a lighthearted look at quirky banking practices while celebrating listener success stories. It’s a fun and practical guide to mastering your finances!

25 snips
Aug 13, 2025 • 58min
#122 - Feeling Stuck? These 26 YNAB Wins Will Inspire You
Join Ben and Ernie as they dive into inspiring listener success stories in personal finance, showcasing everything from debt payoffs to joyful family adventures. The episode highlights how effective budgeting transforms lives, emphasizing the importance of celebrating both big and small wins. Discover practical tips for home projects and unexpected expenses while embracing the power of cash reserves. It's a lively reflection on growth, fresh starts, and the community spirit that fuels budgeting journeys!

6 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 45min
#121 - The Weirdest Categories We’ve Ever Seen (and Loved)
Dive into the delightfully bizarre world of budgeting as the hosts share unique categories like 'drag show tipping' and 'twinkle funds.' Enjoy hilarious tales that reveal personal connections to financial habits, and laugh along with quirky entries like yacht subscriptions. The playful debate over hydration preferences adds a refreshing twist, while fond memories from state fairs bring warmth to the conversation. They even tackle dark humor in budgeting, showing how laughter makes financial planning more enjoyable.

5 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 3min
#120 - Your Categories Are Not Alone! The New YNAB Templates
Feeling overwhelmed by budgeting? Discover the magic of YNAB templates! They offer preloaded categories for everything from vacations to renovating your kitchen. Personal anecdotes reveal how these templates can simplify your planning. Hear about the importance of detailed budgeting for memorable trips, along with insights on finding joy in financial preparedness. Plus, learn how these tools support various life stages, from getting a new pet to planning for retirement. It's budgeting made fun and easy!

23 snips
Jul 2, 2025 • 1h 15min
#119 - Lauren's YNAB Categories (PLUS How She Breaks the Multi-Currency Rules)
Join Ben and Ernie as they chat with Lauren, an expat in South Korea, about her creative approach to budgeting in two currencies. Discover her unique strategy of maintaining one budgeting plan while navigating USD and Korean Yuan fluctuations. Hear insights on evolving budgeting strategies over 15 years, the fun of blending cultural traditions, and practical tips for managing expenses abroad. From personal development to humor in food culture, this conversation is packed with useful tips for anyone handling finances in a global environment.

23 snips
Jun 18, 2025 • 1h 16min
#118 - Getting the Most Out of YNAB
Discover how to maximize the power of YNAB to gain financial control and enhance your budgeting skills. Learn about scheduled transactions for efficient expense management and the benefits of handling recurring bills. Explore the flexibility of financial targets and rolling averages for accurate budgeting. Dive into real-time tracking of family expenses and effective loan management techniques. Personal stories highlight the transformative impact of mastering budgeting tools and strategies for financial clarity.

12 snips
Jun 4, 2025 • 1h 8min
#117 - Ben and Ernie Fight!
Get ready for a lively debate as two hosts face off in a 12-round YNAB showdown! They hilariously discuss the relevance of emojis in budgeting, weigh the pros and cons of linking financial accounts, and explore the classic manual versus automated budgeting battle. Discover their thoughts on budget assignment strategies and the ongoing struggle between YNAB and spreadsheets. The conversation is filled with personal anecdotes, playful banter, and tips on mastering budgeting for financial success!

40 snips
May 21, 2025 • 1h 6min
#116 - YNAB's Future Vision with CEO Todd Curtis
Todd Curtis, CEO of YNAB and a dedicated user since 2008, shares his journey from beta tester to leader of the budgeting platform. He discusses the evolution of YNAB's philosophy towards planning and the significance of new features that simplify budgeting for users. Todd highlights the concept of 'Spendfulness' and the innovative approaches YNAB is taking to enhance financial management, making it a more positive experience. He also reveals insights into user feedback shaping the app's future and how personal values can transform budgeting.

15 snips
May 7, 2025 • 1h 13min
#115 - How Heidi Overcame ADHD and Money Mistakes with YNAB
Heidi shares her journey of managing finances with ADHD, revealing her struggles with impulsive spending and variable income. The transformative power of the YNAB method shines through as she explains how it provided structure and clarity. She deliciously coined the term 'ADHD tax'—a safety net that allows for controlled impulsiveness in budgeting. The conversation delves into the benefits of community support in financial literacy and highlights the emotional security achieved through thoughtful spending. Tune in for practical strategies and personal insights!