Episode 45

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Published on:

14th May 2025

Why YNAB Is the Budgeting System Every Entrepreneur Needs

Tired of budgeting apps that don’t actually help you manage your money?

In this episode, I’m walking you through why I swear by YNAB (You Need A Budget) and how it completely transformed the way I handle both my personal and business finances.

This is the deep dive you’ve been waiting for—because most budgeting tools are made for 9–5 employees, not creative entrepreneurs with variable income. I’m sharing how YNAB helps me budget without shame, spend with intention, and finally feel in control of my money.

Whether you’re brand new to budgeting or you’ve tried every app under the sun (hi, Rocket Money), this episode will help you understand how YNAB works—and why it might be the system your business has been missing.

In this episode, I’m covering:

✅ Why most budgeting apps don’t work for entrepreneurs

✅ How YNAB helps you manage variable income like a pro

✅ Why budgeting isn’t restrictive—it’s actually freedom

✅ How to give every dollar a job (and avoid the panic spiral)

✅ Common money leaks YNAB helps you fix (like surprise subscriptions)

If you’re done winging your money and want a budgeting tool that actually works for your brain, this episode is for you.

🎧 Hit play now and let’s make budgeting feel fun (yes, really!).

🛠️ Resources & Links

Website: https://www.firestormfinance.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestormfinance/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@firestormfinance?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-e-8796b6176/

Newsletter: https://firestormfinance.myflodesk.com/ajmiv1kyt1

📢 Love this episode? Share it with a friend and leave a review to help more business owners stop guessing and start budgeting with confidence.

Have a topic or guest you’d love to hear from? Submit your ideas here!

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About the Podcast

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips for Creatives

Creative Minds, Smart Money is the go-to podcast for creative entrepreneurs who are ready to stop treating their finances like a side character in their business story. Hosted by Samantha Eck, bookkeeper and fractional CFO, this show breaks down the financial side of running a creative business into actionable steps that actually make sense.

Each week, we tackle everything from pricing strategies and cash flow management to making smart business decisions that keep your creative business thriving (yes, even during those slow months). You'll get real, practical advice on managing your money and growing your business while still having time and funds to enjoy what you love.

Beyond the numbers, we explore the full picture of creative business success - from marketing strategies to efficient systems - because building a sustainable business requires more than just good bookkeeping. And occasionally, I bring in industry experts to share their insights on taking your creative business to the next level.

Ready to turn your creative talents into a thriving business that actually pays you what you're worth? Hit subscribe and let's make it happen.

About your host

Samantha Eck

Samantha Eck is the powerhouse behind Firestorm Finance, where she transforms messy financials into crystal-clear roadmaps for success. With six years of corporate accounting under her belt, a formal education in numbers, and the street cred of running two creative businesses, she’s uniquely equipped to help fellow creatives decode the story their numbers are trying to tell. When Samantha’s not wrangling QuickBooks, you’ll find her dominating on Xbox or curled up with a page-turner, her husband by her side and her pup Vivi keeping watch. She knows that clarity in the books leads to big, dreamy business moves. Ready to see for yourself? Tune into her podcast, Creative Minds, Smart Money, where she makes money talk feel like catching up with a friend.