The Jesse Mecham Show What My Kids Think About Money After 21 Years of YNAB
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Apr 2, 2026 Kids describe money with simple, honest ideas and surprising clarity. The family started budgeting when their first child was born and gave each kid a YNAB account at age eight. Children pick up parental money conversations and adopt budgeting language. The episode highlights how kids separate money from self worth and naturally grasp planning, jobs for dollars, and tradeoffs.
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Giving Kids YNAB At Age Eight
- Jesse started giving each child their own YNAB when they turned eight so they could learn money management early.
- He manages visibility, lets kids control their budgets, and teaches them to give every dollar a job through hands-on use.
Faye Says Money Makes Her Happy
- Jesse asked his daughter Faye what money means and she simply said it makes her feel happy and that it's good.
- Faye uses her money for treats like Costa Vida burritos and small birthday gifts, showing thoughtful small-scale priorities.
Kids Learn To Be 'YNAB Broke'
- An older daughter described herself as 'broke' despite having savings because she knows money is already assigned to jobs.
- The family uses YNAB categories so kids distinguish between total cash and what each dollar is meant to do.