Journey To Launch : Personal Finance, Early Retirement & Business

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

What started out as an essay about one man’s struggle with student loan debt in the New York Times, has morphed into Michael Arceneaux’s next best seller, I Don’t Want to Die Poor. Michael Arceneaux, the author of the New York Times bestseller, I Can’t Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race and Other Reasons Why I Put My Faith in Beyonce just released his second book, in April 2020. This book, I Don’t Want To Die Poor, is all about money.   In our conversation we talk about Michael’s struggles with student loan debt, the pressure to get a college education, and the faults of the student loan system. Michael is not a “money expert”, which makes this conversation even more enlightening and real. If you have ever been in debt (or are currently in debt), listen in as we discuss the struggle to not die poor.  In this episode you will learn: What happens to private student loans when you die How the student loan process is systematically flawed  Tips for creatives and entrepreneurs who want to make money and create W

What started out as a budgeting spreadsheet has grown into a budgeting app used by thousands of families who have committed to giving every dollar a purpose. This week on the Journey to Launch Podcast we are continuing our celebration of the third anniversary of the show with an interview with Jesse Mecham.  Jesse, the creator of You Need A Budget (YNAB), shares his financial journey and tips for entrepreneurs. In this episode he describes how he dived into entrepreneurship at 22, and then successfully grew YNAB into a company with over 100 employees. Today, his budgeting app helps thousands across the globe improve their finances. Tune in to hear more about his path to success and the four rules for successful budgeting. In this episode you will learn: How to give every dollar a job Ways to embrace your true expenses When to give yourself permission to change your budget  Why a budget is not restraining  How to get 30 days or more ahead on your bills, and more Special thanks to YNAB for sponsoring the pod

It’s the 3rd anniversary of the Journey to Launch Podcast and we are celebrating. I could not have made it to this milestone without you. So, in this week’s episode, I’m sharing voicemails from Journeyers from all over the world. Listen and learn how the Journey to Launch Podcast has helped so many people fix their finances, improve their lives, and change their mindsets so they can accomplish their goals.  I’m also sharing some lessons I’ve learned since starting this podcast three years ago. I hope you apply these lessons to your life wherever you are on your financial or career journey. We are on the path to financial freedom and independence together. Let’s lift each other up along the way.  In this episode you will learn: How the Journey to Launch Podcast can help you level up your finances The importance of consistency and persistency with anything you do The power of your words and how to manifest the life you want  When it’s OK to pivot or change your mind The best app to help you budget, track your

After graduating from college with over $70,000 in student loans, Ysanet Batista went straight into public service. Unfortunately, her career did not pay a high salary and she found it difficult to live and eat in New York City. At some points, she faced food insecurity and homelessness. Her struggles forced her to find ways to make more money and led to her starting her own food cooperative business called Woke Foods. She merged her love for cuisine with her passion for social justice and is forging her own path to Financial Liberation.  Ysanet is also a member of the Money Launch Club (moneylaunchclub.com) and shares how joining the community allowed her to pay off debt, find support and stay accountable on her journey In this episode you will learn:  Where you can find a community of like-minded people support you on your journey to financial independence and retiring early (FIRE) Why it’s so important to know your WHY How to know when your income is your problem The importance of budgeting no matter how

This week on the Journey to Launch Podcast, Brian Portnoy simplifies the complex world of money. Brian has over two decades of experience in the personal finance space, and he’s also an investor, educator, writer, and entrepreneur. In his book, The Geometry of Wealth, he tackles the challenges of making better investment decisions and how money fits into a joyful life.  In this episode, we go beyond the numbers and talk about the behavioral science behind your relationship with money. Learn how your behavior impacts your ability to become wealthy and why your brain chooses survival over wealth. In this episode you’ll learn:  The difference between wealthy and rich Why your brain is wired to make terrible money decisions  The meaning of the Geometry of Wealth How to set goals to become wealthy (and not just rich) What a comprehensive financial plan looks like, and more Special thanks to YNAB for sponsoring the podcast in its 3 year anniversary month. Get your free 34 trial of YNAB today (no credit card requ

This week on the Journey to Launch podcast, special guest, Lisa Nicole Bell, is sharing how she created her life by design and dived into entrepreneurship. Lisa is a producer, writer, media personality, and serial entrepreneur. In addition, she hosts a podcast called Behind the Brilliance, with nearly two million downloads and 200 episodes to date.  In this episode, we discuss the truth about entrepreneurship, how to make informed business and life decisions, and taking risks. Lisa shares so many inspiring tips. This is one episode you don’t want to miss. In this episode you will learn:  What bets are worth taking and how to manage your risks How to turn your content into multiple streams of income The truth about entrepreneurship  How to properly plan your time so you don’t hustle backwards Ways to create a life by design and more Special thanks to YNAB for sponsoring the podcast in its 3 year anniversary month. Get your free 34 trial of YNAB today (no credit card required to sign up) by going to youneedab

Casanova Brooks lost everything--his mom, his house, and his job all in a short span of a few weeks. However, he refused to allow adversity to stop him. Nine months later, he was a real estate agent, breaking records. He closed 46 deals worth a total of $8 million dollars his first year as an agent. Casanova is an award-winning real estate agent, investor, podcast host, and CEO. Previously featured on Yahoo News, ABC, NBC, and more. He has an amazing story of triumph and perseverance.  In this episode, Casanova and I talk about overcoming adversity, the power of relationships, and how to become the master of your time and freedom. This is an inspiring conversation you don’t want to miss!  In this episode you’ll learn:  Ways to overcome adversity under any circumstances Simple techniques to leverage relationships and grow your business How to create your own success Great books and podcasts that will inspire you The effect a positive mindset can have on your journey, and more Celebrate the 3 Year Anniversary

It’s been a while since I’ve recorded a solo episode. So this week you get a full dose of me. In this episode, I share tips and lessons I’ve learned and how I am applying this knowledge to my life and finances now.  I am taking you back to the beginning of my journey and share how my husband and I prepared for me to pursue full-time entrepreneurship. Most people don’t know this, but I could have kept my 9 to 5 and been financially free by 40. Instead, I decided to pursue what I love and create more freedom in my life today.  Listen to this episode to learn more about how I made the jump from the corporate world with confidence and how you can too. Plus I share four tips on how you can be successful with your money, career & goals during these trying times.  In this episode you will learn: How I quit my job to become a full-time entrepreneur Ways to pivot your financial journey to give yourself more freedom today What you should invest in to help you value your time How to leverage your network to increas

Cindy Zuniga went to law school to make an impact in her community. After three years in law school and $215,000 of debt later, Cindy realized the real cost of her decision. Her first year out of school she paid $24,000 towards her student loans. However, only $4,000 went towards her loan’s principal balance.  So where did the other $20,000 go, you ask? To pay just the interest on her loan.  That’s when Cindy said enough is enough and devised a plan to pay off all of her debt in 48 months.  Check out this week’s episode where Cindy shares how she paid off $215,000 in 48 months and kept her expenses low while living in New York.  In this episode you will learn: What to consider before taking out student loans for a degree How to educate yourself and your family about student loan debt 3 reasons to refinance your student loans How to stick to your financial goals in any environment Tips for talking about finances with your partner How to lower your expenses, save money, and more Other related blog posts/links

With everything going on right now, I wanted to replay one of the most important and impactful conversations that I've had on the podcast, The Black Tax & The Cost of Being Black in America with guest Shawn Rochester. In the beginning of the episode, I also share my thoughts on why I will continue to use my platform to educate and amplify Black voices while giving you the tools to reach your Financial Freedom & Independence goals.  I encourage everyone to listen to this episode and share it with someone who needs to hear more of how we as a nation got to a place where Black Americans own only 2% of wealth and what we can do to change it . In this episode you will learn: Why I'm so committed to amplifying Black voices and stories What is the Black Tax and how it’s impacting your wealth How to identify unconscious vs. conscious bias Why hard work is not the key to success and what resources you really need Concrete ways you can close the wealth gap How to apply Shawn’s PHD strategy to create j

Sahirenys Pierce and her husband had almost six-figures in debt when she started her career in finance. In her new industry, she knew that her own finances could be held under a microscope at any time. In fact, filing bankruptcy would jeopardize her career. That’s why Sahirenys created the High-5 Banking Method, which helped her and her husband pay off $99,000 in five years, and avoid bankruptcy. This week, on the Journey to Launch Podcast, Sahirenys and I talk about paying off debt, prioritizing your goals, and banking with a purpose. In this episode you’ll learn: What is the High-5 Banking Method and why you need it How to prioritize your financial goals when you have debt Ways to combine your finances with your partner The difference between a liquid budget and a concrete budget and how to adjust when life happens The importance of tracking your spending How to save and spend with a purpose, and so much more Join me & Teri Ijeoma for a free class on how to make money in the stock market and a

Marsha Barnes was working at a bank when she realized that people in Charlotte, North Carolina weren’t talking about finance in schools or in public. So, she thought of an innovative way to talk about personal finance. Marsha created a financial literacy “hub on wheels” to bring financial literacy directly to the people who needed it the most.  In this week’s episode, Marsha and I talk about entrepreneurship, what it takes to turn your passion into a full-time business and how to achieve overall financial wellness.  In this episode you’ll learn: Questions to ask yourself to know if entrepreneurship is right for you What is a “runway” and why you need one to survive entrepreneurship How Marsha quit her job one year after starting The Finance Bar Why revenue is not equal to profit  Steps to create financial wellness in your life  What blocks most people from experiencing freedom, and more Join me & Teri Ijeoma for a free class on how to make money in the stock market and avoid the uncertainty of the econo

Arlan Hamilton was homeless when she launched a venture capital fund dedicated to minimizing funding disparities in tech. In 2015, she created Backstage Capital, a venture capital fund that invests in high potential founders who are people of color, women, and/or members of the LGBT community. Today, Backstage Capital has raised more than $7 million and invested in more than 130 startups companies led by underestimated founders.  In this episode of the Journey to Launch podcast, Arlan and I are talking about the mindset, confidence, and self-care that led to Arlan’s ultimate success. We also discuss Arlan’s new book, It’s About Damn Time: How to Turn Being Underestimated Into Your Greatest Advantage. Arlan’s story is inspiring and this is an episode you don’t want to miss.  In this episode you’ll learn: How to use confidence to fuel your success What it means to invest in yourself The importance of self-care and how to set boundaries How to write a successful, tailored pitch What really matters in life, and

Teri Ijeoma is on the Journey to Launch podcast this week talking about swing trading, travel, and finances. A few years ago, Teri started swing trading as a side hustle with the goal to make $300 a day. This year, her goal is to make $10 million dollars in her business.  Teri travels the world and helps people learn the skills they need to master swing trading through her course, Invest with Teri. Listen to this podcast episode to learn how Teri is paying off debt and achieving financial independence through teaching and investing in the stock market. In this episode you will learn: What is swing trading  How to trade, travel, and live your best life The difference between a short and long term investor How much time you need to trade and be successful Tax tips for when you profit from trading The traits you need to succeed at swing trading, and more Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Check out Teri’s course, Invest with Teri, to learn her 7 steps trading method. Get the Free Journey

Check out this week's bonus episode of the podcast where I talk to Carmen Perez to update us on how she's been dealing with the pandemic & the economic uncertainty. In the previous episode, Carmen shared how she was sued over her student loan, paid off $57,000 of debt in 2 ½ years and switch careers from corporate finance to coding. Today, Carmen comes back on the show to share how she's dealt with the loss of her income and how's she's finding opportunity in this crisis by using this time to sharpen her skills and remaining positive about the future. You can watch this interview with Carmen Perez on youtube by clicking here. Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Get the Free Journeyer Jump Start Guide here. 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 of episode. Join The Weekly Ne

On this week's episode of the podcast I'm talking to Carmen Perez who had to face the truth about her credit and finances when she was sued over her student loan. She then hustled to pay off $57,000 of debt in a little over 2 ½ years and with a background in finance and a six-figure salary to match, Carmen went from being a “Wall Street dropout” to a woman who codes. Besides being a successful software engineer, Carmen is also the creator of Make Real Cents, a blog dedicated to helping people achieve financial greatness by teaching them about personal finance. In this week’s Journey to Launch podcast, you’ll learn what tools Carmen used to get her personal finances in order, pivot in her career, and go to coding school for free.  In this episode you’ll learn: Steps you can take to get your financial house in order What is zero-based budgeting and why you need a budget Several ways to pay off debt How to make a pivot in your career Ways to get your education for free, and so much more Check out tod

This week’s guest, Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, read the entire 880-page economic relief package so you don’t have to. On the podcast, she explains who qualifies for stimulus checks, power money moves you can make now, the truth behind the programs available to individuals and small businesses, and more. Lynnette is a personal finance expert, television and radio personality, and author of numerous books. Her book, Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom, is a New York Times bestseller. Lynnette had been on numerous TV shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show, the Tyra Banks Show, and more. She knows what she's talking about, and in this episode, she is giving you information about how you can thrive and survive now. In this episode you’ll learn: The truth behind the Stimulus Package About programs, you need to take advantage of now  Power money moves you can make during the Coronavirus pandemic   The best time to file your taxes if you want to qualify for a stimulus check How can you come out of this eco