Review by Booklist Review
Mecham, founder of the popular personal-expense-tracking app YNAB (i.e., You Need a Budget), writes a series of advice and instructions for managing one's personal finances, from removing debt to teaching children about budgeting. Mecham shares his YNAB rules throughout and provides key takeaways for managing the present and planning for the future. There are plenty of current books on budgeting, but Mecham's work goes beyond an individual's concerns by discussing personal finances for couples and families. Readers can benefit from a quick or leisurely read-through but may require a second or third go to fully retain and recall Mecham's advice. The book can serve as a financial planning manual for those who are completely new to budgeting as well as for those who are seasoned and still need these helpful reminders. Mecham's book is a handy guide for readers looking to increase their financial literacy and manage their money carefully and successfully.--Pun, Raymond Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Acknowledging how stressful the question "Can I afford this?" can be, Mecham, a software developer, explains that's precisely why he wrote this helpful book and invented his four-rule system for budgeting. The primary question, Mecham says, is "What do I want my money to do for me?" To that end, the titular "YNAB" plan is comprised of the dictums "Give Every Dollar a Job," "Embrace Your True Expenses," "Roll with the Punches," and "Age Your Money." Mecham conveniently addresses readers of all ages (kids included) and family situations (single, childless couples, and couples with kids), taking care to include readers with variable incomes. Cheat-sheet reminders at the close of every chapter are especially helpful. Mecham includes illustrative stories from clients, providing an especially helpful example of one couple's customized YNAB plan, including their spending before and after "budget detox," and divides into four sections: bills, everyday spending, goals, and true expenses. One of the keys to success, Mecham points out, is flexibility. But the primary attitude adjustment described here is to stop asking, "Can I afford this?" and start asking, "Does this move me closer to my goals?" Mecham makes it seem simple and his tone is encouraging; even readers who've never budgeted before will believe Mecham when he tells them, "You've got this." (Dec.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Fans of "You Need a Budget" (or "YNABbers") will be happy that creator Mecham has authored a companion guide to expand on the doctrines of the popular online financial platform and app. The takeaways are Mecham's four simple rules for effective money management: giving every dollar a job, embracing your "true" expenses, rolling with the punches, and "aging" your money. Mecham rounds out the book with specific advice regarding relational budgeting, tackling debt, staying focused, and even includes a simplified adaptation of his rules for teaching youth to budget. Readers won't find excruciating worksheets, or heavy-handed shaming advice, just relational and realistic anecdotes and encouragement, as well as actionable ideas at the end of each chapter. Mecham doesn't promote shady money tricks. The debt-averse principals are similar to those in Dave Ramsey's perennial best seller, The Total Money Makeover. While the book might appeal to existing YNABbers, a subscription is not required to benefit from this book. VERDICT Readers seeking tips for financial resolutions will appreciate Mecham's fresh and proven approach to budgeting.-Jennifer Clifton, Indiana State Lib., Indianapolis © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
