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Good afternoon! Spring has officially arrived (knock on wood), March Madness is heating up, and somehow we’re already nearing the end of Q1 of 2025.

The close of each quarter is the perfect time to check in on your goals. If you’re not quite where you hoped to be—don’t sweat it. There’s no better time for a reset than right now. Small steps forward still count!

And hey, how about Reflection 28 on the 28th? That’s gotta be some kind of good juju, right?

TODAY ON REASONED REFLECTIONS:

• Market Movers 📈;

• The YNAB Method;

• Fun fact of the Reflection 🗓️;

• Quote of the Reflection 🧐.

📈 MARKET MOVERS 📉

Data was pulled from MarketBeat as of March 28, 2025, based on the preceding 7 days. It includes U.S. NYSE and NASDAQ companies, covering all sectors, and focusing on large-cap stocks ($10b+ market cap).

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REFLECTION No. 28: You Need A Budget

I - Issue: What’s the YNAB method? 

R - Rule: YNAB stands for You Need A Budget. It’s a budgeting system similar to Dave Ramsey’s EveryDollar, where you give every dollar a job. But it takes things a step further by aligning your spending with your priorities—a concept the YNAB team calls spendfulness.

A - Analysis: Let’s be honest: this method could use a better name. Being told “you need a budget” feels a little aggressive. But once you get past the name, the method itself is actually pretty thoughtful and a solid way to build a budget that works for you rather than against you.

YNAB guides you through the process with five key questions, each designed to help you spend intentionally and proactively:

1. Reality -  What does this money need to do before I’m paid again?

Instead of projecting income or guessing what might come in, YNAB has you budget only the money you currently have. Assign every dollar a role in your budget based on what it needs to do before your next paycheck. That means you’re not planning based on hope. You’re planning based on reality.

2. Stability - What larger, less frequent spending do I need to prepare for?

Big, irregular expenses—like holiday gifts or car repairs—aren’t surprises. They’re just poorly planned for. YNAB helps you break those costs into manageable monthly amounts, so they don’t wreck your budget when they hit.

3. Resilience - What can I set aside for next month’s spending?

The more you plan ahead, the less stress you’ll feel when paychecks are delayed or bills pile up. Building a buffer—what YNAB calls “aging your money”—means you’re eventually spending last month’s income on this month’s bills. That creates breathing room and turns financial “emergencies” into minor annoyances.

4. Creation - What goals, large or small, do I want to prioritize?

This is where budgeting gets exciting. You define your goals and what’s important to you. This could be paying down debt, saving for a vacation, or investing more for retirement. You align your money with what matters most. Give your dollars jobs that move your life forward.

5. Flexibility - What changes do I need to make, if any?

Life doesn’t follow a perfect spreadsheet. Your budget shouldn’t either. If your priorities change or you overspend in one category, YNAB encourages you to adjust without feeling guilty. Life happens. Move money from one category to another and keep going.

Once you’ve worked through these five questions, you’ll have a clearer picture of how much to allocate toward essentials, savings, goals, and guilt-free spending. The method encourages flexibility and confidence in your finances—not restriction.

At the end of the day, the YNAB method is about creating alignment between your money and the life you want to live.

C - Conclusion: The YNAB budgeting method helps you stop second-guessing your spending and gives you a system that puts your money to work on what matters most. It’s budgeting with intention and a little more peace of mind.

FUN FACT

Did you know it takes about 4,000 folds (forward and backward) for a paper bill to tear?

U.S. currency isn’t made from regular paper either. It’s actually a blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen, with tiny synthetic fibers throughout adding to its durability.

QUOTE OF THE REFLECTION 🧐

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