Four Rules to Get Control of Your Money – Coaching for Leaders (2024)

Jesse Mecham: You Need a Budget

Jesse Mecham is the CEO and Founder of You Need A Budget* (YNAB). He’s on a mission to help people stop living paycheck to paycheck, get out of debt, and save more money. He recently released his book by the same name, You Need a Budget*, a Wall Street Journal Bestseller.

Key Points

  • Be as vigilant with your money as you are with your time.
  • Constraints allow us to be creative. When your options are endless, you’re frozen.
  • Most people’s monthly budgets underestimate actual long-term expenses.
  • Your emergency fund should be for more than just things you forgot to plan for.
  • Budgeting is about looking forward and actively adjusting.

The Four Rules for Budgeting:

  1. Give Every Dollar a Job
  2. Embrace Your True Expense
  3. Roll With the Punches
  4. Age Your Money

Bonus Audio

Resources Mentioned

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Four Rules to Get Control of Your Money – Coaching for Leaders (2024)

FAQs

Four Rules to Get Control of Your Money – Coaching for Leaders? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

How to manage income and expenses? ›

These seven practical money management tips are here to help you take control of your finances.
  1. Make a budget. ...
  2. Track your spending. ...
  3. Save for retirement. ...
  4. Save for emergencies. ...
  5. Plan to pay off debt. ...
  6. Establish good credit habits. ...
  7. Monitor your credit.

How to properly budget your money? ›

We recommend the popular 50/30/20 budget to maximize your money. In it, you spend roughly 50% of your after-tax dollars on necessities, including debt minimum payments. No more than 30% goes to wants, and at least 20% goes to savings and additional debt payments beyond minimums. We like the simplicity of this plan.

How to manage your paycheck? ›

The 70/20/10 approach splits each paycheck into three parts: 70% will go to essential and discretionary spending, 20% to savings and 10% to debt payments. You might consider this strategy if you're struggling to manage and pay off debt, especially if it's from credit cards or other high-interest sources.

What are the four walls? ›

In a series of tweets, Ramsey suggested budgeting for food, utilities, shelter and transportation — in that specific order. “I call these budget categories the 'Four Walls. ' Focus on taking care of these FIRST, and in this specific order… especially if you're going through a tough financial season,” the tweet read.

What is the 40 40 20 budget rule? ›

The 40/40/20 rule comes in during the saving phase of his wealth creation formula. Cardone says that from your gross income, 40% should be set aside for taxes, 40% should be saved, and you should live off of the remaining 20%.

How to take control of finances? ›

5 Steps to Take Control of Your Finances
  1. Take Inventory—and Set Goals. ...
  2. Understand Compound Interest. ...
  3. Pay Off Debt and Create An Emergency Fund. ...
  4. Set Up Your 401(k) or Individual Retirement Account (IRA) ...
  5. Start Building Your Investment Profile.
Jan 9, 2024

How to control spending money? ›

These seven steps can help you get a better handle on your money—and save for a brighter future.
  1. Know where your money goes. ...
  2. Create spending categories. ...
  3. Only spend on what matters most. ...
  4. Make the most of “monthlies” ...
  5. Eliminate impulse buys. ...
  6. Save on interest where you can. ...
  7. Consider deferment.

How to manage money wisely? ›

Here are some ways to manage your money wisely:
  1. Create a budget: Making a budget is the first and the most important step of money management. ...
  2. Save first, spend later: ...
  3. Set financial goals: ...
  4. Start investing early: ...
  5. Avoid debt: ...
  6. Save Early: ...
  7. Ensure protection against emergencies:

What is the #1 rule of budgeting? ›

The idea is to divide your income into three categories, spending 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings. Learn more about the 50/30/20 budget rule and if it's right for you.

Is $1000 a month enough to live on after bills? ›

But it is possible to live well even on a small amount of money. Surviving on $1,000 a month requires careful budgeting, prioritizing essential expenses, and finding ways to save money. Cutting down on housing costs by sharing living spaces or finding affordable options is crucial.

What is your biggest wealth building tool? ›

Your greatest wealth building tool is your income.

What is the 60 20 20 rule? ›

Put 60% of your income towards your needs (including debts), 20% towards your wants, and 20% towards your savings.

What is the 70 20 10 rule? ›

The 70-20-10 budget formula divides your after-tax income into three buckets: 70% for living expenses, 20% for savings and debt, and 10% for additional savings and donations. By allocating your available income into these three distinct categories, you can better manage your money on a daily basis.

What is the 75 15 10 rule? ›

In his free webinar last week, Market Briefs CEO Jaspreet Singh alerted me to a variation: the popular 75-15-10 rule. Singh called it leading your money. This iteration calls for you to put 75% of after-tax income to daily expenses, 15% to investing and 10% to savings.

Is the 50 30 20 rule outdated? ›

However, the key difference is it moves 10% from the "savings" bucket to the "needs" bucket. "People may be unable to use the 50/30/20 budget right now because their needs are more than 50% of their income," Kendall Meade, a certified financial planner at SoFi, said in an email.

What is the disadvantage of the 50 30 20 rule? ›

It may not work for everyone. Depending on your income and expenses, the 50/30/20 rule may not be realistic for your individual financial situation. You may need to allocate a higher percentage to necessities or a lower percentage to wants in order to make ends meet. It doesn't account for irregular expenses.

Why is the 50 20 30 rule helpful? ›

The rule simplifies the process of saving and spending by categorising your budget into three main categories: needs, wants and savings. This can help you achieve financial security for your future needs while managing your current expenses effectively.

How to budget $4000 a month? ›

making $4,000 a month using the 75 10 15 method. 75% goes towards your needs, so use $3,000 towards housing bills, transport, and groceries. 10% goes towards want. So $400 to spend on dining out, entertainment, and hobbies.

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