The Golden Rule: Sure if you make enough

In 2018, I vividly remember someone declaring, “If you just stopped spending so much money, then you’d be fine. You must  know the Golden Rule: Don’t spend more than you earn?” I just stood there, thinking, “Yes, of course, I have my Master’s in Finance; I’m quite familiar with that rule. But you try living my life with three kids, a mountain of bills, and serious debt, and then get back to me.”

I remember sitting down, feeling utterly defeated, and thinking that the so-called “Golden Rule” must have been created by someone who had a lot of money and never experienced real life. When you’re navigating the chaos of family life and financial stress, that rule seems more like a sarcastic punchline than practical advice.

I’m not sure if I’m alone in this experience, but I won’t lie, there were mornings when I would wake up unable to breathe; I was trapped. I would joke that I’d be in amazing shape if I could turn the weight of my money troubles into physical barbells. I’d have serious arm strength because they felt that heavy.

“Don’t spend more than you earn” sounded so good on paper. It seemed logical and easy to follow. But in reality, every time I attempted to implement a plan, we failed. Unanticipated expenses would appear out of nowhere, and asking me to create an “emergency fund” had become a running joke. I couldn’t figure out how to live and pay my debt. Emergency fund, seriously?

Then, I stumbled on one simple statement: “Every dollar has a job.” That moment was pivotal. There was no judgment in that statement. It was just a task. It wasn’t telling me what I was doing wrong. It just told me what to do next.

I talk about financial mindset a lot with my clients. A change in wording can have a real impact on how a person views something. I’m aware that “Do not spend more than you have” and “Give every dollar a job” mean the same thing. But for some reason, they resonated very differently with me. Jesse Mecham, who developed YNAB’s four rules, spoke my language.

YNAB budgeting, also known as zero-based budgeting, changed my life. I was no longer constantly looking in my rearview mirror. Yesterday stopped sitting on me like a crushing failure. I looked at today, at this moment in time. What was in my account? I could breathe.

“Every dollar has a job” wasn’t casting constant judgment. While my financial situation didn’t necessarily change substantially for years, I began to make forward progress. I saw a light at the end of the tunnel, and for the first time in years, I started feeling like I could live again.

I’d love to help you find a light at the end of your tunnel. Let’s set up a call so we can start making positive things happen in your financial life!