
Budget Nerds
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.
Latest episodes

23 snips
May 29, 2024 • 1h 10min
#91 - Windfalls, Learning to Invest, and YNAB 4: Jeremy Schneider of Personal Finance Club
Entrepreneur turned personal finance teacher Jeremy Schneider shares his journey from frugality to multimillionaire status. He discusses simplifying finances, managing windfalls, evolving budget categories, efficient expense tracking, and the importance of financial freedom. The episode also touches on challenges of moving heavy appliances, using emojis for budgeting, passive investing, and a new transparent financial advising platform.

May 15, 2024 • 1h 3min
#90 - YNAB Mega Wins: Round Two
Ben and Ernie open their inboxes for another mega round of YNAB wins -- stories from YNAB users about positive outcomes, reduced stress, and newfound confidence with their money. In today's mega episode, they have broken up the wins into several themes: Partner wins Gaining control Getting a month ahead Paying down debt Clarity Stress reduction Building confidence Simplifying Priorities Saving Share your YNAB wins with Ben and Ernie! budgetnerds@ynab.com Follow Budget Nerds on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuIUGmbCDklkDCDm-cQqv2g

16 snips
May 1, 2024 • 36min
#89 - Find the Money First
In this podcast, the hosts discuss the concept of 'Find the Money First' in budgeting, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing financial decisions and avoiding impulse purchases. They explore the benefits of aligning spending with priorities to achieve financial fulfillment and accelerate progress. The episode also features a heartwarming story of a teenage son embracing a budgeting app, highlighting the positive impact of early financial education.

Apr 17, 2024 • 36min
#88 - Swim Fins and Why You Shouldn't Compare Yourself to Others
Swim fins analogy - don't compare yourself to others financially, hidden advantages in life influencing circumstances. Avoid comparison, focus on your own financial journey. Celebrate small wins with YNAB and appreciate community feedback.

Apr 3, 2024 • 45min
#87 - Stop Making Boring Financial Goals
Ben and Ernie discuss the importance of setting meaningful financial goals beyond saving and paying down debt. They emphasize the need to have a clear 'why' behind goals, sharing inspiring stories of unique goals like building a college endowment and traveling in a custom bus. Listeners are encouraged to align their financial decisions with their values and priorities to find fulfillment.

Mar 20, 2024 • 40min
#86 - Cash Categories vs Cash Accounts
Ben and Ernie discuss managing cash in YNAB, comparing cash categories and accounts. They explore fungibility for simplified money management. Debate over using pennies, cash vs. credit cards, and reconciling cash transactions. Listener shares success with appliance repair/replacement category.

Mar 6, 2024 • 43min
#85 - Do I Have to Give EVERY Dollar A Job?
Explore the importance of giving every dollar a job in budgeting to avoid self-delusion and make clear financial decisions. Understand why leaving money unassigned can obscure goals and create false security. Learn how YNAB's Four Rules help prioritize spending and uncover personal values. Discover the psychology behind setting financial goals and join live discussions for more insights. Celebrate financial wins and the security of budgeting every dollar with the hosts.

Feb 21, 2024 • 43min
#84 - How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Unexpected Expenses
The podcast discusses embracing true expenses, including unexpected costs as opportunities for growth. It highlights prioritizing family safety and health expenses, managing unexpected costs without incurring new debt, and exploring the importance of having a will for peace of mind.

Feb 7, 2024 • 1h 15min
#83 - Kath Eats: An Interview with Nutrition Blogger Kath Younger, RD
Ben and Ernie invite Kath Younger, Registered Dietitian and popular nutrition and wellness blogger, onto the show to discuss how her health journey led her to seek financial health and wellness. Kath started her blog katheats.com in 2007 to record her experiences exploring healthy foods and healthier eating habits, and has now expanded to cover natural beauty products as well as lifestyle topics like fitness and motherhood. In 2016, Kath began using YNAB and started improving her financial health. Today she is a bona fide budget nerd! In today's episode Kath breaks down her financial plan in detail, including her groups and categories (the structure of which was inspired by Ramit Sethi), how she manages checking and savings accounts, how she and her husband share spending and planning responsibilities, and much more! You can follow Kath at the links below: Blog: https://www.katheats.com/ Kath's YNAB categories: https://www.katheats.com/budget Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katheats/ Share your YNAB wins with Ben and Ernie! budgetnerds@ynab.com Follow Budget Nerds on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuIUGmbCDklkDCDm-cQqv2g

Jan 24, 2024 • 47min
#82 - YNAB's Four... Habits?
The podcast explores the habits behind YNAB's Four Rules, focusing on giving every dollar a job, adjusting budgeting amounts after life changes, embracing true expenses, developing good financial habits, aging money, and reframing budget rules as positive habits.