Do I Need a Coach?
It depends.
There was an inside joke in my YNAB cohort - every time someone asked a question, the answer would be “It depends.” It was frustrating at first because sometimes I just wanted an answer to my question. But now after helping people get better at money, I completely understand why the answer is always “It depends.”
Personal finance is... personal. Since we are all different, we all need, want, and value different things. Our spending plans should reflect our differences.
The truth is, some people don’t need a coach. Some people will spend hours (days?) watching Heard it from Hannah videos, reading YNAB blogs, and maybe even going to their local library and taking out Jesse Mecham’s book.
And some of us just… don’t.
Just like some people work out nearly every day without a coach, and they tend to hit their physical goals perhaps even without a gym membership, others pay a coach for a few reasons: their expertise, their experience, and their accountability.
Expertise
No one is an expert in how you should spend your money besides you. On the other hand, I am an expert in the YNAB method and the software. I know the ins and outs and I can help you make this work really well for you.
YNAB is an incredible tool and it can do so many things. It's like a Swiss Army Knife - because it can do so much, it might feel intimidating. But if you can get a coach to teach you how to use the tool, you'll find it incredibly useful.
Experience
I've been there. I've gotten a month behind on categorizing transactions. I've needed to do a fresh start (or 20). I've wrestled with the big questions ("Do I pay off debt first or save for non-monthly expenses?").
I know what it's like to feel like your money is stretched thin. I know what it's like to have financial blow after financial blow. And I have made it through. I can encourage you in whatever situation you're in, remind you that this season won't last forever, and help you figure out the best way to move through it.
Accountability
I have tried (and tried and tried) to have an accountability buddy for exercising and it has never worked for me. Usually we are super consistent the first week or two and then it just... stops.
I have since hired a physical trainer to help me with my exercises. She tailors them to exactly what I need, provides unending encouragement, and never seems bothered when I feel like I’ve messed up. She helps me forgive myself quickly so I can spend less time chastising myself and more time getting back to my exercise routine.
So do you need a coach?
If you've got the time and energy to do a deep dive into the YNAB videos and books and various resources, go you. If you want to skip all that and get straight into actually relieving some of your money stress, let me coach you. (No push-ups, I promise.)
