How Two Swiss Expats Saved 100,000 CHF in 12 Months and Bought Their Dream Home Using YNAB—And How We Can Help You Do the Same
If you're reading this, chances are you're successful. You have a good job, maybe even a great salary. Your LinkedIn profile looks impressive. Your career is on track. Yet somehow, despite earning more money than most people dream of, you find yourself in a frustrating cycle that feels impossible to break.
Every month, you watch your salary hit your account with a sense of hope. This month will be different, you tell yourself. This month you'll finally get ahead. But then life happens. The bills come in. The grocery shopping adds up faster than expected. There's a work dinner, a friend's birthday, a small emergency repair. Nothing extravagant, nothing irresponsible—just life.
And suddenly, it's the end of the month again, and you're looking at your bank account wondering where it all went. Sound familiar?
Maybe you've gotten a raise recently. Finally, you thought, now we can get ahead. But somehow, mysteriously, your expenses seemed to rise to meet that new income level. It's like your money has a mind of its own, expanding and contracting to always leave you with nothing left over.
If you're in a relationship, this financial stress might be causing tension. Maybe you and your partner argue about money without ever finding real solutions. One person wants to save, the other wants to enjoy life. Or maybe you both want to save but can never figure out how to actually make it happen. The conversations go in circles, and nothing changes.
You've probably tried tracking your expenses. Maybe you've built elaborate spreadsheets (if you're like Jesse) or downloaded the latest expense tracking app. You can tell me exactly how much you spent on groceries last month versus three months ago. But here's the thing—tracking past expenses doesn't change your future behavior. It's like looking in the rearview mirror while trying to drive forward.
We know this frustration intimately because we lived it for years.
Let me take you back to 2023. We were Jesse and Tati, living in Switzerland as expats. Jesse worked in tech, Tati in design. We had decent salaries—the kind that should have allowed us to live comfortably and save for the future. Yet every single month, we found ourselves with nothing left over.
It wasn't that we were reckless spenders. We didn't have expensive car payments or luxury shopping habits. We just lived normally—groceries, utilities, the occasional dinner out, maybe a weekend trip. But somehow, these "normal" expenses always seemed to add up to exactly match our income, no matter how much we earned.
When Jesse got a significant raise, we were thrilled. Finally, we thought, we can start saving properly. But within three months, our lifestyle had somehow inflated to consume that extra income too. It was maddening.
Like many smart, educated people, we thought the solution was better tracking. Jesse, being a software developer, built incredibly detailed spreadsheets with graphs and pivot tables. We could tell you that we spent 847 CHF on groceries in March and 1,023 CHF in April. But so what? The data told us what happened, not what to do about it.
We tried several expense tracking apps with beautiful interfaces and detailed reports. Same problem—lots of information about the past, zero guidance for the future.
Tati discovered the envelope method in a financial course and suggested we try physical cash envelopes. Jesse, being a tech guy, was horrified by such a "primitive" system. How could putting cash in envelopes possibly be better than sophisticated digital tracking?
Eventually, we stumbled across YNAB (You Need A Budget). We signed up, spent about a week trying to figure it out, declared it "too confusing" and "too weird," and promptly quit.
This went on for months. We'd try new systems, new approaches, new apps. Nothing stuck. Nothing worked.
[PHOTO PLACEMENT SUGGESTION 1: Jesse and Tati looking frustrated at a laptop/spreadsheet, representing their struggles with traditional budgeting methods. This creates visual empathy with readers' pain points.]
Then came the breakthrough moment. Jesse stumbled across YNAB again, and this time something was different. Maybe it was accumulated frustration, maybe it was desperation, but he thought: "F*ck it, this really looks like it should work." Instead of giving up after a week, he committed to really understanding it.
He read the entire YNAB book cover to cover. He watched every tutorial video. He joined the forums. Most importantly, he taught Tati not just how to use the software, but the underlying principles and philosophy.
This time was different. We had context from our failed attempts. We had learned lessons from our mistakes. And most importantly, we had the determination that comes from being truly fed up with the status quo.
YNAB finally clicked. We realized it wasn't just about tracking expenses—it was about intentional planning. Instead of wondering where our money went, we started telling our money where to go before we spent it.
The results were immediate and dramatic.
Within the first month, we could see exactly where our money was going and, more importantly, we had a plan for where it should go next. We weren't just tracking our spending—we were directing it with purpose.
We started saving money consistently for the first time in our adult lives. Not just leftover money at the end of the month (because there never was any), but planned, intentional saving toward specific goals.
Month two: 2,000 CHF saved toward our house fund.
Month three: Another 2,500 CHF saved.
By month six, we had established a reliable system that was saving us between 2,000 and 3,000 CHF every single month. This wasn't through extreme deprivation or massive lifestyle changes—we were just being intentional with our money instead of letting it disappear into the ether.
Twelve months later, we had saved over 100,000 CHF. We bought a beautiful house by Lake Lugano with stunning mountain views. Instead of paying someone else's mortgage, we were building equity in our own property.
[PHOTO PLACEMENT SUGGESTION 2: Jesse and Tati in front of their Lake Lugano house, representing the transformation and success. This provides powerful social proof and visualizes the "after" state.]
But here's what's even more important than the money we saved: the stress that disappeared from our lives. No more end-of-month anxiety. No more arguments about money. No more feeling out of control with our finances.
We had finally cracked the code that had eluded us for years.
After our transformation, friends and family started asking for our help. How did we do it? Could we teach them? Word spread, and soon we were helping people we barely knew get their finances on track.
We realized that our experience—the years of failure followed by dramatic success—actually made us uniquely qualified to help others. We understood every excuse, every rationalization, every "yeah, but..." that people use to avoid taking control of their money. We had used them all ourselves.
More importantly, we understood the psychological barriers that keep intelligent, successful people stuck in financial mediocrity. It's not about math or willpower—it's about having the right system and the right mindset.
As expats ourselves, we also understood the unique challenges of managing money across multiple currencies, navigating international tax implications, and planning for major life goals like buying property in a foreign country or eventually returning home.
We became certified YNAB coaches not because we needed the certification to validate our expertise—our results spoke for themselves—but because we wanted to be part of the official network of people committed to spreading this life-changing system.
Since we started coaching, we've helped over 500 people eliminate millions of dollars in debt and save for their most important goals.
We've helped clients buy their first homes, eliminate credit card debt that had been haunting them for years, save for dream vacations, and most importantly, stop living paycheck to paycheck regardless of their income level.
But the money is just the beginning. What we're really helping people achieve is peace of mind. The confidence that comes from being in complete control of your financial life. The ability to make decisions based on your values rather than your bank balance.
Our 6-month YNAB coaching program is designed to take you from financial frustration to complete mastery. This isn't just about learning software—it's about fundamentally changing your relationship with money.
Month 1-3: Foundation and Implementation
We start with weekly one-on-one sessions where we'll set up your YNAB system correctly from day one. No confusion, no trial and error, no wondering if you're doing it right. We'll customize the system for your specific situation, whether you're managing multiple currencies, dealing with irregular income, or navigating complex international finances.
You'll learn the four YNAB rules not as abstract concepts but as practical tools that you'll use every single day. We'll help you create your first budget, establish your categories, and most importantly, develop the daily habits that will transform your financial life.
Month 4-6: Optimization and Mastery
Once you have the foundation solid, we shift to bi-weekly sessions focused on optimization. We'll refine your categories, establish systems for handling irregular expenses, build your emergency fund, and create long-term saving strategies for your biggest goals.
This is where the magic really happens. You'll learn advanced YNAB techniques that most people never discover on their own—the same strategies we used to save 100,000 CHF in our first year.
Unlimited WhatsApp Support
Between sessions, you have direct access to both Jesse and Tati via WhatsApp. Quick questions, budget emergencies, moments of doubt—we're there to help. This isn't limited to business hours or specific days. When you need support, you get it.
This ongoing support is crucial because real life doesn't wait for your next coaching session. When you're standing in the store wondering if you can afford something, when an unexpected expense hits, when you're about to make a financial decision—that's when you need guidance most.
[PHOTO PLACEMENT SUGGESTION 3: Screenshot of WhatsApp conversations or Jesse/Tati on a video call with a client, demonstrating the personal support and accessibility.]
Couple-Focused Approach
If you're in a relationship, both partners are not just welcome but encouraged to participate in every session. We specialize in helping couples align their financial goals and eliminate money arguments. As a married couple ourselves, we understand the dynamics and challenges of joint financial planning.
Expat Expertise
Having lived as expats for over 10 years across multiple countries, we understand the unique challenges of international finances. Multiple currencies, international transfers, tax implications, planning for major moves or purchases in foreign countries—we've navigated it all and can guide you through it.
Sarah and Michael, expats in Germany, eliminated 45,000 EUR in credit card debt in 18 months while simultaneously saving for a house down payment. They went from arguing about money weekly to having complete alignment on their financial goals.
Carlos, a software engineer in Zurich, went from living paycheck to paycheck on a 120,000 CHF salary to saving 40,000 CHF in his first year of YNAB. He's now on track to buy his first property.
Emma and James, British expats in Singapore, saved enough for their dream two-month Asian backpacking trip while still maintaining their emergency fund and retirement savings. For the first time in their relationship, they could enjoy spending money without guilt because they knew exactly how it fit into their bigger plan.
The pattern is consistent: people who were struggling financially despite good incomes start saving substantial amounts within their first few months of proper YNAB implementation. More importantly, they gain confidence and peace of mind around money for the first time in their adult lives.
[PHOTO PLACEMENT SUGGESTION 4: Client testimonial photos or before/after savings screenshots (with permission), showing real results and social proof.]
What makes these results possible isn't magic—it's having the right system implemented correctly with proper guidance and support. YNAB is incredibly powerful, but only if you use it the right way.
Most people who try YNAB on their own get overwhelmed and quit within a few weeks. They don't understand the underlying principles, they set up their categories incorrectly, they try to make it too complicated, or they give up at the first sign of confusion.
With proper coaching, that learning curve disappears. You get the system set up correctly from day one, you understand the principles deeply, and you have ongoing support when questions arise.
You absolutely could try to figure out YNAB on your own. The software exists, there are tutorials available, and some people do succeed without coaching.
But here's what we've learned from working with hundreds of people: the DIY approach has a very high failure rate, and even when people eventually succeed, it takes them much longer and involves a lot more frustration than necessary.
Think about it this way: you're already overwhelmed by your financial situation. The last thing you need is to add the cognitive load of learning a new system, figuring out best practices, and troubleshooting problems on your own.
When you're trying to learn YNAB while also managing your job, your relationship, your life, and all the stress that comes with money problems, it's easy to get discouraged and give up. We've seen it happen countless times.
There's also the trial-and-error factor. When you're learning on your own, you'll make mistakes. You'll set up categories incorrectly, misunderstand key concepts, and develop bad habits that are hard to break later. These mistakes can set you back months.
With coaching, you skip all of that. You get the system set up correctly from day one based on proven best practices. You learn the advanced strategies immediately instead of discovering them through trial and error years later. And when you hit obstacles or confusion, you have expert guidance to get you back on track immediately.
But perhaps most importantly, you get accountability. It's one thing to tell yourself you're going to start budgeting; it's another to have regular check-ins with coaches who are invested in your success.
The question isn't whether you could eventually figure it out on your own. The question is: how much is another year of financial stress worth to you?
What makes our coaching particularly effective is the combination of Jesse's analytical, software-focused approach and Tati's creative, intuitive understanding of human psychology and motivation.
Jesse brings the technical expertise. He understands YNAB inside and out, knows all the advanced features and optimization strategies, and can troubleshoot any technical issue. His software development background means he thinks systematically about implementation and can adapt the system to any complex financial situation.
Tati brings the human element. She understands the emotional and psychological barriers that keep people stuck. As a Brazilian who has lived across multiple cultures and countries, she brings a unique perspective on different approaches to money and family finances.
Together, we can address both the technical and emotional aspects of financial transformation. We'll get your system working perfectly, but we'll also help you overcome the mental blocks and habits that have kept you stuck.
[PHOTO PLACEMENT SUGGESTION 5: Professional photo of Jesse and Tati working together, showing their partnership and different but complementary approaches.]
This combination is particularly powerful for couples, where you often have one partner who is more analytical and another who is more intuitive. We can speak to both personality types and help bridge any communication gaps around money.
Our complete 6-month YNAB coaching program is 1,500 CHF (or USD/EUR equivalent). You can pay in full or split it into three payments of 500 CHF each.
This includes everything: the initial weekly sessions, the transition to bi-weekly sessions, unlimited WhatsApp support for the full six months, and ongoing access to resources and materials.
Whether you're an individual or a couple, the investment is the same. Both partners participate in all sessions, receive all support, and get the full benefit of the program.
Now, I know what you might be thinking: "1,500 CHF is a lot of money." And you're right—it's a significant investment.
But let's put this in perspective. If you're living paycheck to paycheck on a good salary, you're essentially leaking thousands of francs every year through inefficient money management. Our clients typically save the cost of the program within their first 2-3 months of implementation.
Sarah and Michael eliminated 45,000 EUR in debt. Carlos saved 40,000 CHF in his first year. We personally saved over 100,000 CHF in our first year. Even if you save just 10,000 CHF in your first year—which would be a conservative result—you're looking at a 600% return on investment.
But it's not really about the return on investment calculation. It's about finally solving a problem that has been causing you stress, arguments, and anxiety for years. It's about gaining control over an area of your life that affects every other area.
How much is peace of mind worth? How much would you pay to never again experience that end-of-month anxiety about money? How much is it worth to eliminate financial arguments with your partner and instead work as a team toward shared goals?
This isn't an expense—it's an investment in your financial future and your peace of mind.
We're so confident that our program will transform your financial life that we offer a complete 100% money-back guarantee for the full six months.
If at any point during the six months you're not completely satisfied with the program, simply let us know and we'll refund your entire investment. No questions asked, no complicated terms, no hoops to jump through.
We can offer this guarantee because we've seen the results over and over again. When people commit to the process and follow the system, it works. Period.
The only way you can lose is by continuing to do what you're doing now—letting money stress control your life, arguing with your partner about finances, and watching your income disappear month after month without building toward your future.
All the risk is on us. All the potential benefit is yours.
We intentionally limit ourselves to working with only 10 new coaching clients per year. This isn't a marketing gimmick—it's a practical necessity.
Providing the level of personalized attention and unlimited support that makes our program so effective requires a significant time investment from both of us. We could take on more clients and make more money, but we've seen what happens when coaches spread themselves too thin—the quality suffers, and clients don't get the results they deserve.
We'd rather work with fewer people and ensure that every single client achieves a complete financial transformation.
We typically fill our spots for the year within the first few months, and then we maintain a waiting list for the following year.
But there's an even more important reason to act now: every month you delay is another month of financial stress, another month of money leaking out of your life, another month of missed opportunities to build toward your goals.
If you start today, you could have your YNAB system set up and working within two weeks. By the end of your first month, you could be saving substantial money toward your goals for the first time in years. By the end of six months, you could have thousands saved and complete mastery over your financial life.
If you wait until next year, you're essentially choosing to remain stuck in financial mediocrity for another 12 months. How much money will leak away in that time? How much stress will you endure? How many opportunities will you miss?
The cost of inaction is far higher than the cost of action.
Imagine one year from now: You have 20,000-50,000+ CHF saved toward your biggest goal. You never stress about money. You and your partner are completely aligned on your financial future. You have absolute clarity about where every franc goes and why. You've built automatic systems that grow your wealth while you sleep.
This isn't fantasy. This is exactly what happened to us and hundreds of our clients.
The only question is: are you ready to make it happen?
Remember: We only take 10 new clients per year, and spots are filling fast.
100% money-back guarantee for 6 months. You have nothing to lose except your financial stress.
[PHOTO PLACEMENT SUGGESTION 6: Jesse and Tati in a confident, welcoming pose, perhaps with their laptop or in their home office, representing professionalism and success.]