Journey To Launch : Personal Finance, Early Retirement & Business

The road to Financial Independence is one that is full of different variables and it can sometimes bring uncertainty. Let’s be honest–finding the right balance between budgeting, saving, and investing can be a little overwhelming. With so much information floating around, I am super excited to be able to answer several of your questions about retirement, investments, and all things personal finance. In this Q&A Episode, I give insight into: How do employer contributions for 401K work? How do you get over the fear of action or the fear of getting it all wrong? When is the right time to get a financial advisor? Building off this, how do you evaluate the value of "do it yourself" versus hiring a professional? How do I break the cycle of spending non-budgeted money? How to incorporate family expenses into your budget when you are trying to save but also provide experiences? Ex. Scouts, swimming, ballet, gym, etc. Is it possible to achieve FIRE by 57-60 if you’re behind in retirement savings in your mid-40s?

It was such a pleasure to be able to sit down and discuss financial planning with my new money friend, Shannah Compton Game. Shannah is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with an MBA and an award-winning financial strategist on a mission to revolutionize how millennials think, act, and feel about their finances. Her interest in business and budgeting sparked when she started her first business in college, a national student film festival, at only 19. After selling her business 5 years later, Shannah became a CFP and worked at her father’s firm where she learned everything that she needed to know to open her own firm. Today, Shannah is the host of the very popular personal finance podcast, Your Millennial Money, where she tackles all your burning money questions, with topics like Managing Money as a Couple, Mastering Your Budget, How to Ignite Your Savings, Dealing with Student Loans, Building Your Career, Investing, Entrepreneur Stories, Millennial Travel Spots, Music and more In this episode we disc

Bringing in as much income as possible in order to reach your financial goals is key but that doesn't mean you can't get ahead if you don't make a lot of money. Kara Perez, the creator of Bravely Go, is living proof that is living proof that as long as you're willing to put the work in, achieving your financial goals with a low income is completely possible. After taking on more than $25,000 in student loan debt, Kara, extremely unhappy with her situation, started to research ways to quickly pay off her debt. After becoming inspired by personal finance blogs such as Frugalwoods, Kara paid off $25,302 in loans on a salary of less than $30,000, the final $18,000 in just ten months. After becoming debt free in June 2015, Kara created Bravely to help other women take control of their financial lives. In this episode we discuss: How a simple Google search inspired her to pay off $18,000 in student loan debt in 10 months How paying off her debt deepened her relationship with others How her personal finance blog, B

There is an art to making money and developing your side hustle muscle and Grant Sabatier from Millennial Money is definitely an expert. As a 24-year-old unemployed college grad living at home with his parents with less than $3 to his name, Grant became determined to find success and reach major financial goals. He set out on a self-taught journey to learn Google AdWords as a result of a simple Google Search. While working at a Digital Ad Agency, Grant acquired the knowledge and connections necessary to build a side hustle that allowed him to leave his 9 to 5 and allowed him to reach Financial Independence within 5 years. Today, Grant is now Financially Independent and he had used his knowledge of making money to create a blog and podcast that is dedicated the helping others build a successful business and become Financially Free.  In this episode we discuss: How Grant Used Google AdWords to build a successful future What Helped Grant to Stay Focused on his Financial Independence Goals How Reaching Financial

Sylvia accrued six-figures of debt from law school and her life was greatly impacted by Hurricane Katrina while living in Louisiana. With discipline, determination, and the help of financial books such as Your Money or Your Life, Sylvia made the decision to take control of her personal finances. She took on a side-gig as a pizza delivery driver to bring in an extra $2,000 a month and adopted a frugal lifestyle to aggressively tackle her debt. Today, Sylvia has paid down a majority of her student loan debt, owns her own law firm, and is about 3 years away from Financial Independence. In this episode we discuss: Sylvia’s story of how she accrued six-figures in debt How she used a side-gig and a plan to pay off her student loans How she managed her finances and saved without an actual budget Why she continued to invest with a significant amount of debt Her big move to Seattle Her plans after retirement Her current investments The difference between a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) and actual real investmen

Science and the experimental process have several parallels to the management of our personal finances. Dr. Maria James, also known as the Money Scientist™, spent more than 10 years in Finance while pursuing her degree in Cellular and Molecular Medicine. Now she is applying some of the skills that she had learned in the science world to teaching business owners about finance.  During her time in college, she maximized her resources and developed side hustles that brought in an extra $10,000. Since moving away from science, she has developed  Pocket of Money and the Pocket of Money podcast to provide financial advice and resources for entrepreneurs and business owners. In this episode we discuss: How to manage a full-time job and side hustle How to turn a side-hustle into a successful business How science can be applied to money principles Creating protocols to reach your financial goals Tips for managing your side-hustle Outsourcing and automation for productivity How to plan for business expenses and consid

Success, whether in achieving your financial goals or advancing in your career, comes with tons of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. Bobbi Rebell, an award-winning TV anchor, personal finance columnist, Certified Financial Planner, Best-selling Author, and now the host of The Financial Grown-Up podcast, is no stranger to all of the above and more. As a communications major in college, Bobbi made her big break as a financial news TV anchor by making tough decisions and dedicating lots of time and effort. This same focus helped her to author the best-selling self-help/personal finance book “ "How to Be a Financial Grownup: Proven Advice from High Achievers on How to Live Your Dreams and Have Financial Freedom,”. The book combines unique personal financial stories from inspirational leaders with targeted and relatable advice to help readers take charge of their money. It features stories from big names such as Drew Barrymore, Tony Robbins, and Cynthia Rowley. Bobbi now hosts her podcast, Podcast Financial Gr

For every philosophy, belief, and attitude about money management, there is an underlying money story. Everything from the way that our parents dealt with money to our past financial struggles can have a huge effect on how comfortable we are when it comes to our finances. Jen Hemphill, a Money Confidence Coach, AFC® (Accredited Financial Counselor) and host of the Her Money Matters Podcast, inspires women from all different walks of life to move beyond their money story and become confident in making sound decisions about their money. In her new book, ‘Her Money Matters’, she provides tips, tricks, and good practices to find your financial confidence and ensure that it stays. In this episode we discuss: What inspired Jen to teach about the confidence behind finance How a scarcity mentality held her back from her financial goals Managing money expectations with your partner How to cultivate money confidence Ways to increase your financial confidence The importance of financial confidence check-ins How she bec

There a few things more inspirational than hearing about another family’s real-life experience. Kiersten and Julien Saunders, the couple behind the finance blog, Rich and Regular, provide real-life inspiration to other couples and families on the journey to Financial Independence. As marketing professionals, the Saunders used their income to aggressively eliminate their debt. Over the course of 5 years, they have been able to pay off more than $200,000 of consumer debt. More recently, they have paid off the mortgage on their home and they have added a new addition to the family, 11-month old Baby Bo. As lovers of life and travel, the Saunders are proof that the road to Financial Independence doesn’t have to absent from the simple pleasures of life. In this episode we discuss: How the Saunders started their FI journey The Steps that they took to save money and eliminate debt How visually mapping out their progress allowed them to stay focused on their financial goals Why they made the decision to pay off thei

Is it possible to "have it all" and still be happy, better yet sane? Join me in today's solo episode where I am discussing how I balancing my pregnancy, motherhood, growing my business and everything in between. Specifically, I discuss: Being pregnant and attempting to juggle it all The importance of my support system and why you too should build up your relationship currency Becoming a mom of 3 kids and how we plan to save on kid-related expenses Ways in which you can take more control of your life Plans for Journey To Launch while on maternity leave I also talk about the waitlist to the soft launch of my monthly membership program. Get monthly tips, tools, and classes to help you launch to Financial Freedom. Click here to sign up and be the first to be notified when the doors open in Summer/Fall 2018. Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Join The Weekly Newsletter List Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! Wa

There are many factors to consider on the journey to becoming wealthy but shifting your mindset is by far one of the most important. Several studies show that psychological factors have a tremendous effect on our behaviors, habits, and our ability to adapt to new circumstances. Jim Fortin, the Subconscious Selling & High-Performance Expert, knows and understands what it means to shift your internal dominant thoughts to manifest the wealthy lifestyle that you desire. As a former foreign exchange day trader that fell on hard times, Jim is no stranger to poverty and the scarcity mindset. After losing nearly $1 million in one night, he sought after knowledge that went beyond motivational teachings such as hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) which highlighted the power of the mind. Through the inspiration of his brother-in-law, a spiritualist, Jim has adopted the mindset that wealth starts in the mind. This is the premise behind his teachings and the knowledge that he shares with us on the show: In

The Health Savings Account, introduced in the early 2000's, has proved to be the ultimate retirement and investment account–particularly for those on the road to early retirement. Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®) and Health Saving Account (HSA) expert, Jackie Cummings Koski, joins us on the show to discuss everything from how to obtain an HSA account to how to invest the money that you contribute. As one of 6 children raised by a single father, Jackie knows firsthand what it means to struggle financially. As a result, she made educating herself about finances and investing her personal mission. From the knowledge that she acquired, she wrote her book “Money Letters 2 My Daughter” as a way to educate her then 14-year-old daughter on what it means to be financially savvy. Today, Jackie has grown her HSA account to more than $100,000 as is on track to retire early in her 40's.  In this episode we discuss: The definition and benefits of the Health Savings Account (HSA) How to enroll in an insurance

Vicki Robins, the co-author of the very popular book, “Your Money or Your Life” has been one of the most influential visionaries of the Financial Independence movement. In the late 1960’s, with the advice of the late Joe Dominguez, Vicki reached Financial Independence and together they began to teach their revolutionary methods all over the nation. Their workshops featured the famous 9 steps to reach Financial Independence and eventually, Vicki and Joe were approached to turn their teachings into the book that we know today, "Your Money or Your Life". The book went on to be wildly popular, encouraging people to fight against the weight of consumerism and become a New York Times bestseller. Vicki also made two appearances on the Oprah Show with Oprah declaring that the book "would change your life". More than 25 years later, Vicki has written an updated version of the book for a new generation of people on the path to Financial Independence. I'm so honored to have Vicki on the show to discuss: How Vicki met t

Shane Mason, CPA/PFS, CPF, is a New York-based accountant, financial planner, and all-around tax wizard that joins the show this week to discuss the one topic that has many Americans baffled: taxes. He specializes in accounting, tax preparation and financial planning services for small and medium business owners, creatives, tech professionals, expatriates and foreign nationals living in the US. Shane and I crossed paths during my search for the assistance of a new tax professional and we are delighted to have his expertise on the show to unravel tax law and what it means for everyone on the journey to Financial Independence. In this episode, we talk about: Why we have to pay taxes Why you should consider hiring a tax professional How tax refunds work Why a large tax refund isn’t necessarily a great thing Common mistakes made when filing taxes Amending a tax return Determining the right investment account for your income Factors to consider when determining where to invest first The new tax law changes and ho

When it comes to building wealth, credit can be a key component in helping you to achieve your financial goals. Credit expert, Shante Harris, joins us on the show to talk about everything from credit scores, credit reporting, and even credit card utilization. A Maryland native, Shante shares an incredible story of triumph in which she survived cancer, becoming a mother of a child with autism, divorce and even homelessness. Throughout her times of adversity, Shante gained the experience of bouncing back from credit card debt and becoming an expert in transforming not-so-perfect credit. Today, she leads a Facebook group of more than 58,000 members where she shares her expertise and inspires others to work toward their credit goals. She is also the founder of the non-profit organization, F.A.C.E. (Facing Autism with Children Everywhere).  Sign up for Credit Sesame using my affiliate link and get your free credit report and other resources to help you with your credit.  In this episode, we talk about: Why credit

Student loan debt is one of the biggest concerns of college graduates in America. Robert Farrington, the Student Loan Debt Expert, is helping readers from all over the nation to better understand the process of student loan repayment with his blog, The College Investor. Robert was always passionate about investing and making money but when he identified a need amongst his peers to share more about student loans, he changed the course of his finance blog to educate borrowers. Robert was able to pay off more than $42,000 in student loan debt over the course of 3 years and he’s sharing his methods with college grads all over the nation to encourage them to do the same. In fact, this month, he is working with others in the financial influencer community to inspire followers to collectively pay off $1 million or more of student loan debt. You can find more information about this movement in the links below. (Also, YNAB, my favorite budgeting app is giving Journeyers a 2-month free trial, no credit card required to

When it comes to saving, frugality is so more than just a habit, it’s a lifestyle choice. Liz Thames, affectionately known as Mrs. Frugalwoods, allowed a frugal lifestyle to help fuel her family toward Financial Independence and a simpler lifestyle in the woods of Vermont. Retired at 32, Liz and her husband made it a priority to make tough decisions on spending in order to save 70-80% of their income. She shares much of her wisdom on her blog, Frugalwoods, and we are delighted to have her be a part of this show. Their new book, Meet the Frugalwoods: Achieving Financial Independence Through Frugal Living Book is set for release and readers that pre-order by March 13, 2018, will receive a signed bookplate! Details are listed in the links below. (Also, YNAB, my favorite budgeting app is giving Journeyers a 2-month free trial, no credit card required to try their amazing budgeting system, check it out here!) In this episode, we talk about: How frugality can simplify your life and catapult your savings goals How

Investing in stock can seem very intimidating but Tela Holcomb, the renowned stock investor has used swing trading as a vessel to help her create financial independence. More than 9 years ago, as a servicemember and single mom, a conversation about trading and early retirement inspired Tela to teach herself the skills necessary to replace her 9-5. In this episode, we talk about: The difference between trading and long-term investing How practice trading accounts prepare for real life stock trading Tela’s 3 trading account system How to buy stock How to make a trading plan to manage gains and losses How to manage the emotions that come with stock trading Tela’s definitions of financial independence and financial freedom Why you don’t have to be perfect to find success in stock trading. Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Tela's Website With Free Stock Market Course Tela's free Stocks and Profit Facebook Group Join The Weekly Newsletter List Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on

Passing down generational wealth is extremely important. The best way to make sure that wealth is passed down for generations to come is through proper estate planning. Art Steele, Estate Planner and the podcaster behind The Legalese for Entrepreneurs Podcast, has an incredible story about how she came to choose her career and the epiphany that caused her to realize the significance generational wealth within in the black community. In this episode, we talk about: Understanding the racial wealth gap Why personal behavior cannot close the racial wealth gap The significance of estate planning in the black community (and all communities) How considering the “value of your life” helps with planning your estate What having an estate plan involves The legal documents required to make decisions for end of life care The roles of a financial planner and an estate planner The importance of leaving behind a will How proper estate planning can benefit generations beyond your children The significance of a trust with inh

When two people are working towards a goal, amazing things can happen. This occurred for Andy Hill and his wife when they decided to come together and set a plan to reach their financial dreams.  In this episode, we talk about how Andy and his wife: Paid off $48,032 of debt in 1 year Became completely debt free by paying off their mortgage in less than 4 years Began living on one income and got on the same financial page Don't believe in giving their kids allowances & the important values they are instilling in them Plus so much more!   Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Andy's Blog & Podcast  BuzzFeed's 27 Podcasts You Need To Start Listening To in 2018 Join The Weekly Newsletter List Leave me a voicemail- Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! Watch me on News12  Watch my latest segments on News12 My One on One Money Coaching Services - Get my personalized 1on1 money coaching expertise to help you reach your financial goa