Journey To Launch : Personal Finance, Early Retirement & Business

Did you know that your employer could pay off $5,250 of your student loans this year (2020)?! The payments wouldn't be taxable to you as the employee and your employer would get a tax break on the payment. But your employer would have to make the payment by December 31, 2020. This was a new provision made in the Cares Act back in March 2020 that many people didn’t know about.  I found this out thanks to a tweet from episode 151 guest Lynette Khlafani Cox and when I shared this with my audience on my Instagram account @journeytolaunch, the comments went crazy with questions and comments. I had so many questions about it that I just had to invite Lynnette back on the podcast for an emergency episode to help answer some of your most asked questions on the subject.  We cover the following questions (and more):  What's the best way to ask your employer about this?  What's in it for the employer? Does this apply to govt employees or non-profit employees? What if you are your own employer, is there a loophole that

What’s stopping you from investing? Chances are you can start right now! In this episode, Bola Sokunbi shares all things investing. Bola is my most recurring guest because she continues to share tangible gems with my audience.  She is the founder of Clever Girl Finance, one of the world’s largest personal finance platforms for women in the U.S.. Bola does it all, she is a podcaster, mom, and entrepreneur. She just published her new book, which I am featured in, titled, Learn How Investing Works, Grow Your Money.  Sometimes, the financial jargon around investing can make it seem too difficult to start. Bola shares why people don’t invest and a common theme she sees from successful people who do invest.  She also reminds us that it is never too late to start and shares why you shouldn’t wait to pay off debt before you start investing.  If you have fear around investing or are curious to learn more about how to generate wealth, this episode is for you.  In this episode you’ll learn: 2 of the biggest concerns of

When will you know when you are satisfied? It’s a simple but weighted question because we are often chasing something. This episode is special because you get to be a fly on the wall in a mini-coaching session between myself and Saundra Davis. Saundra Davis is a nationally recognized financial coach, educator, consultant, and motivational speaker, challenges Jamila to get to the root of why 2020 will be a breakout year for her.  I had breakout years every 2 years since 2010, so I hoped that 2020 would be no different. And then the pandemic happened. What if you were able to reframe the way you approached this year, so that you could embrace all that went well? Would you step into the last month of this year any differently? In this episode, Saundra helps me commit to what will help me be the best entrepreneur, mom, and leader I can be. Buckle up to go on the journey with me, take out your pen and paper, and commit to yourself now how you will finish 2020.  In this episode you’ll learn: What a coaching sessio

This is a surprise episode where I announce that the Money Launch Club doors are open and I talk about a common underlying theme I have been noticing in my private community as well as in my first cohort of the Journey to FI course! Compared to the Facebook community, the Money Launch Club is a paid community where people invest to be in a space with other like-minded individuals.   The common theme I have noticed is the community aspect of it, which allows members to feel the support and encouragement needed on those tougher days where they may not feel as motivated. If you are searching for a community that shares your same ideas while on your journey to Financial Independence, then you can check out the Money Launch Club! In the Money Launch Club you will get: S.T.E.Ps- the support, tools, education & plan to help you reach your money goals. Accountability through Weekly Wins & Monthly Goal Challenges Monthly Group Coaching Calls After Show Chats & Masterclasses with guests from previous episo

What happens when COVID strikes your business and you have to pivot in an instance? Tammeca Rochester did exactly that and shares how she was able to keep her fitness business, Harlem Cycle, thriving during an extremely difficult time.  Tammeca did not set out to start her own cycling studio, but when she felt the pull to do so, she listened to it.  Tammeca first started as an engineer then switched to the marketing field and then transitioned into running her business, Harlem Cycle, a cycling studio. She always knew she had an immense passion for helping people discover who they are and who they want to be, so when she passed an empty space for sale in Harlem on her afternoon run, it clicked in that moment that cycling should be brought to Harlem.  Tammeca knew what was possible and went after what she wanted. She came up with the idea for Harlem Cycle in November 2015, signed her lease in February 2016 and held her first cycling class in April 2016.  In this episode, Tammeca shares how starting a business i

Are you a part of your local credit union? Ron McLean, president of Cooperative Credit Union Association, shares why everyone should join a credit union and debunks common myths associated with credit unions. The mission of a credit union is people helping people, which includes caring for families, communities, and businesses.  Credit unions aim to form meaningful relationships with their customers and emphasize people over profit.  This is clear through the ways credit unions uplift their customers, serve underserved communities, assist with economic injustice, and educate it’s communities on financial education and literacy.  Joining a credit union can be an integral part of your journey to reaching Financial Freedom because it helps to give you more options to banking. There is a credit union available for any and everybody, with one simple search you can find the one nearest to you today.  In this episode you’ll learn: The mission of credit unions How credit unions work and serve local communities Why y

How can you craft a life you love today while not waiting for the end goal of Financial Independence to be realized?  How can you build a bigger life (not a bigger lifestyle) and become a master of your money? Adam Carroll is an internationally recognized speaker, author, podcaster, and retreat leader.  He’s a two time TED Talk speaker with one of his talks surpassing 5 million views. Adam believes that we are all life architects and for him that means living his life according to 5 core values; family, freedom, love, growth, and connection. The more we get aligned with our core values, the more we are able to build a big life.  Adam and his wife work together as a team for their future vision and shared goal of Financial Independence. With him being on the financial offense (focusing on growing income) and her being on the financial defense (focusing on limiting their expenses), they make an effective team thus increasing their “life factor”. The life factor is limiting expenses and maximizing income which c

Lawrence Gonzalez had a choice to make: should he continue falling deeper into debt or get serious and make a plan? With 6 figures of debt, Lawrence decided it was time to make a decision: to be in control of his finances.  He made the decision to not finish graduate school, get a job, and ultimately, live the life he wanted.  Lawrence is a proud Haitian-American and decorated veteran Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps. He grew up in Haiti until the age of nine and witnessed that his grandmother with six kids was able to make it work with a very low income.   For Lawrence it all came down to having a strategy. One of the many strategies and skills that Lawrence was able to hone was the language of resumes.  He began working on mastering his resume and went from his first job in 2012 of making $23,000 to getting a new job a year later bringing home $32,000. He saw how much a resume mattered, so 6 months later he did it again but this time managed to secure a government position and doubled his income t

In this week’s solo episode I am talking about the five truths I learned on my financial journey. Some of these points might surprise you, but you’ll have to take a listen to hear them for yourself. I hope what I share in this episode will help you on your journey to financial freedom and independence. In this episode you will learn: What the financial gurus don’t always get right One thing that’s holding you back from achieving financial independence How to find more money to save and invest What’s the best investment you can make, and more Plus there’s only one more day left to sign up for the Journey To FI course before doors close. Find out more and enroll here. Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Check out episode 61 where I talked about why I quit my 6-figure job and how it affected my journey to financial independence. Or listen to episode 5 where Ed, an educator, shares how he became a millionaire on a teacher’s salary.  Check out the other tools that help me with my finances

Check out this week’s solo episode where I share five out of  the ten steps you need to map out your path to financial independence. These steps will empower you to get started and show you that financial independence is possible. But first I help you define what that means financial freedom means for you. In this episode, I talk about how to plan your path to financial freedom, my new Journey To Financial Independence course, the 5 Journeyer stages, how to fuel your goals, and more.  In this episode you will learn: Five of the ten steps to help you plan your journey to financial independence How to fuel your goals and achieve success The five journeyer stages All about my free class and Journey To Financial Independence (FI) course, and more  Register for my free class on October 22 at 8:30 PM EST. I will teach you how to unlock financial freedom right now. Register today!  Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Learn more about the 5 Journeyer Stages here. Also, check out my FI course.

Ramit Sethi is New York Times bestselling author and founder of I Will Teach You to Be Rich. After 16 years in the personal finance space, Ramit is still teaching people how to set specific goals for themselves and their money. He has a unique way of talking about money and challenges the normal points of view you often hear from other personal finance “gurus”. In this episode, Ramit shares tips on how to; save you money, earn more, and live a rich life. In this episode you’ll learn: An exercise to help you get specific about your goals and money Ramit’s story about going from a free blogger to a paid author and how to prepare yourself for your own journey Why you need to earn more  The CEO model and how you can use it get rich Five phone calls you can make to save $1,000 right now, and more Register for my free class on October 22 at 8:30 PM EST. I will teach you how to unlock financial freedom right now. Register today!  Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Register for The Big Reset

Yanely Espinal, also known as Miss Be Helpful, grew up with immigrant parents and eight brothers and sisters in Brooklyn, New York. As a child she didn’t know much about money. When she got a full scholarship to Brown University her mind was blown by the amount of wealth her classmates enjoyed. Her efforts to keep up caused her to rack up $20,000 in credit card debt.  When Yanely started her career as a teacher and realized she didn’t have enough to cover her debt, bills, and an unexpected medical expense, she knew something had to change. That’s when she got serious about paying off her debt and improving her finances.  Today, Yanely has a successful YouTube Channel and is a director of a financial education program that teaches students, teachers, and professionals about  financial literacy. In this week’s episode we are talking about Yanely’s financial journey and the obstacles she overcame along the way.  In this episode you’ll learn: Tips to launching a successful YouTube Channel  How to pay off debt an

Chelsea Brennan, the founder of Smart Money Mamas is on the Journey to Launch Podcast sharing how she went from being a hedge fund manager to a full-time financial educator. She helps moms connect with all aspects of their money so they can overcome emotional blocks, identify what they want most, and create healthy money habits to achieve their goals.  In this episode, Chelsea and I talk about how we both walked away from lucrative careers in the finance industry to start our own business and help others get better with their finances. Don’t miss these money tips and ways to transition from your career to your passion and get tips to on how to become a smart money mama In this episode you’ll learn: How to transition from a 9 to 5 career to your passion project or business The importance of boosting your earning power How to cut back without cutting out all the fun Questions to ask yourself if you want more time, health, and happiness Tips for stay at home parents and more Check out the Mamas Talk Money Summ

Michelle Schroeder-Gardner of Making Sense of Cents started her journey to financial freedom by paying off almost $40,000 in student loans in seven months. She shared her journey on her website and turned her blog into a six figure online business. Today, Michelle helps others with their money while she and her husband travel full time on a sailboat.   Listen to this episode to learn more about how to; make money online and have a location independent lifestyle where you can work and live from wherever you want. In this episode you will learn: 3 things to do to get started with an online business and blog  How Michelle turned her blog into a six-figure online business Several ways to make money online What life is like if you travel full time on a RV or sailboat The power of networking with other bloggers and more Watch this on youtube by going to https://youtu.be/K0CTT4mDkbA Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: If you want to hang out with me and Teri, sign up for our free class toni

Last week, Teri Ijeoma shared her story on going from trading as a side hustle to being able to; trade full time, travel the world and reach Financial Independence. Teri now runs a multimillion dollar business teaching others who want to learn trading as a side hustle to reach their financial goals.  This week, I’m sitting down with 3 of her new students in her Trade and Travel course who also are Journeyers. Tune in to learn more about what it's like to learn trading as a beginner, the importance of investing in yourself and what it’s like to be a part of Teri’s larger mission to collectively earn a million dollars a day and help people change the world.  In this episode you’ll learn: How you can trade for more income to save, invest, or pay off debt When you should invest in yourself and how to manage risks Three students’ perspective on learning how to trade, and so much more Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Episode 154: How Teri Ijeoma Quit Her Job to Begin Trading Full Time a

Teri Ijeoma was an assistant principal who started trading in the stock market to make extra income. Her goal was to make $300 a day to replace her salary. Today, Teri trades, travels, and has made over $100,000 a day trading in quarantine! In this week’s episode check out what Teri has been able to accomplish since her last appearance on the podcast. We are talking about how Teri achieved financial independence, bought her dream home with cash, and helped her students earn $1,000 a day trading too.   If you want to learn more about trading and want to hang out with Teri & I to learn more about her program, sign up for our free class on September 23 at 830 pm EST. Seats are limited so reserve your space today here! In this episode you will learn: How Teri build a $2 Million dollar portfolio swing trading What is swing trading and how to get started  The difference between active and passive traders How you can make $1,000 a day Ways to discover and monetize your skill sets  The importance of knowing your

In this week’s episode of The Journey to Launch Podcast, I'm talking taco shells, bloating and running. What does this have to do with money? Listen to find out. In this solo episode I’m sharing more about my life behind the scenes. I have updates on my fitness journey, tips about how and when to adjust your path to financial independence, and encouragement to keep going even when you don't see the results right away.  In this episode you will learn: What tacos, bloating, and running have to do with money How to adjust your financial journey and find what works for you Reasons why you need to keep going even when you don't see the results Why you need to forget about being perfect and just get started Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Check out the other tools that help me with my finances and business here. Check out the Journey To Launch Podcast index here which categorizes all of the Journey To Launch podcast episodes by subject. Now you can binge on your favorite topics or type

Jessica and Corey are coasting their way to financial Independence (FI), and have found a way to create more time and freedom in their lives today. As a dual income household with no kids, they currently live in Boston, a high cost of living city. Also, known as the Fioneers, Jessica and Corey are showing people how to calculate their financial independence number and design a more balanced life before the traditional retirement age.  In this episode, Jessica and I talk about the different paths to financial freedom, how to determine your FI number, entrepreneurship, and more.   In this episode you will learn: What is Coast FI and how to start coasting now How much you need to retire early  Ways to encourage your partner to join you on your financial journey Hacks to fast track your way to happiness 4 things to consider when designing your own life What is a location independent entrepreneur, and more Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Check out the book Jessica mentions in her inter

It’s never too late to start your financial journey. At 44 years old, Saundra Davis took a risk and went back to school for a master’s degree in personal financial planning. Today, she is a living legend in the personal finance space. She has taught so many coaches in the financial industry. It’s an honor to have her on The Journey to Launch Podcast and to share this conversation with you.  Saundra is the Founder and Executive Director of Sage Financial Solutions, a San Francisco Bay Area-based organization that develops comprehensive financial capability programs for low and moderate-income communities. She is passionate about her work with community-based organizations that focus on asset building for the working poor. In this conversation, we are getting real about how to change your money behaviors, how to set financial goals and boundaries plus so much more. In this episode, you will learn: How to know when to take risks and invest in yourself Techniques to help you talk to your family about money The i

Kumiko Love graduated with a degree in finance but didn’t learn anything about personal finances in school. After her divorce, Kumiko was a single mom, $77,000 in debt, and determined to get her finances in order.  What started as a community for her to share her financial journey, has grown into The Budget Mom (TBM). Kumiko’s platform, TBM, is now her full-time business where she provides practical, fun budgeting methods and techniques to thousands of women all around the world. She has helped women take control of their finances, pay off debt, save more money, and build a life they love on a budget they can afford. In this week’s episode of the Journey to Launch Podcast, we are talking about Kumiko’s journey, how she got her finances on track, became a full-time entrepreneur, and purchased her dream home with cash and why.  In this episode you will learn: How Kumiko went from making $24,000 a year to purchasing her dream home with cash Three budgeting methods to get your finances on track Steps to take bef