It’s time for us to have a heart-to-heart about your wealth building journey.  

As your financial educator and advocate, I care an immense amount about your financial journey. Hey, I’ve been there. I have first-hand experience with navigating my own wealth-building ups and downs. And in a professional capacity, I’ve buckled up and ridden this same emotional roller coaster hand-in-hand with countless clients. Personal finances are, just that — personal.  

Money plays a starring role in so many facets of our lives, shaping our daydreams, molding our aspirations, and driving our daily choices. So, unless you’re willing to take a closer look at your finances, your money will end up running the show, center-stage, while you watch from the wings. And I want more for you!  

So today, let’s pretend it’s just you and me, curled up in our respective cozy corners of the couch, sweats on, beverage of choice in hand. And let’s get personal. 

Today, we’re going to nip fear in the bud and embrace a growth mindset when it comes to your finances. Like everything else in the natural world, you are a work in progress, and your financial evolution is a marathon, not a sprint. Let’s work to pinpoint where you are currently on your wealth-building journey, and what this means for redirecting your efforts and intention in order to reach your desired destination: financial peace and financial freedom. 

Phase 1: Hustling to Survive

In this initial phase, many of us find ourselves hustling hard, focusing on survival, and scraping by paycheck to paycheck. Navigating this soul-sucking cycle becomes our full-time job. It can be tough, and I understand the struggles that come with it. You may have a difficult time shifting your mindset, feeling stuck and constantly overwhelmed by your financial situation.

Instead of seeing money for what it is — a tool — you see it as a primary stressor and drain on your emotional and mental reserves. 

This is where money mindset work comes into play. I want you to start focusing on your thought patterns around money. The stories we tell ourselves about money and the role it plays in our lives are POWERFUL. There’s an intense pull to fall into a scarcity (“I’ll never have enough!”) or comparison (“I bet they didn’t have it as hard as I did!”) mindset. Coming from this place, it’s going to be a challenge to make financial progress and achieve the level of abundance you desire. 

Try this:

• Reroute: Start by rewiring your beliefs about money. Remember that financial success IS attainable, and that you deserve it! You’re capable of doing what it takes to find financial peace.

• Navigation Tip: Incorporate daily positive money affirmations into your routine. Affirmations like “I am capable of building wealth,” or “I’m not where I want to be YET, but I’m working to change that,” can work wonders on your outlook.

• Roadside Toolkit: 10 Mindset Shifts to Take Control of Your Money

Phase 2: Taking Strides to Thrive

As we move forward, Phase 2 is all about taking strides towards thriving. This is where you really start to feel that positive money momentum. 

You’ve been working hard to improve your money management and habits. You’ve got a budget you feel good about, you’re prioritizing your savings, and you’re starting to plan for the future. You’re getting the hang of it and creating the systems you need to succeed. You’re starting to understand the power of financial wellness and feel empowered to continue taking those positive strides towards financial success. 

Try this:

• Reroute: Now is the time to focus on cash flow. Are you maximizing your earning potential? Are you spending in alignment with your values on what brings you lasting joy and adds to your quality of life? I want you to be sure you have a sustainable spending plan in place (I prefer the Zero-Based Budget, where every dollar has a job). At the very least, you should be building a healthy awareness of where your money is going. In this phase, it’s all about building a strong financial foundation. 

• Navigation Tip: Use budgeting apps or spreadsheets to track your expenses and build awareness around your cash flow. It can be an eye-opener and a great way to identify where your money is coming from and going to. If you have an emergency fund, make sure you’re considering a High Yield Savings Account (HYSA) so that your money can work just as hard as you are!

• Roadside Toolkit: Your Go-To Guide for Setting Financial Goals That Get You Results

Phase 3: Growing and Glowing

Phase 3 is the glow-up you’ve been waiting for!

This part of your financial journey is all about growth — especially in your bank account. This is where you dive into investing and wealth-building. You may be learning how best to grow your assets, considering various investment options, studying up on stocks and bonds, dabbling in real estate, and/or getting a better understanding of how diversification plays a role in the bigger picture. (Your financial) life is good. 

Try this:

• Reroute: In this phase I want you to embrace the power of compound growth and explore investment options that align with your goals.  The earlier you invest and get your money working for you, the earlier you can stop working for your money. Mic drop. 

• Navigation Tip: This isn’t the time to dip your toe! Jump headfirst into the investment world and increase your financial literacy in this area. Your goal should be to create a personalized investment plan that fits your unique set of circumstances, including your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals. 

• Roadside Toolkit: 25 Dynamic Ways to Help You Reach That Million Dollar Dream

Phase 4: On the Path to Financial Freedom

You’re well on your way to financial freedom. Heck yes! In this phase, our spotlight is on financial planning. 

At this point, you might be maxing out retirement accounts, updating your estate planning, ensuring your loved ones are financially secure, meditating on legacy, and/or looking into charitable giving ventures. You want to be sure you’re doing everything you can to live a great life today, prepare for an even better life in your golden years, and leave a lasting financial legacy for your loved ones and your community.

Try this:

• Reroute: In this phase, I want you to focus on financial planning! Develop a comprehensive financial plan that covers retirement, estate planning, tax planning, charitable giving, next gen planning (if you have kids) and long-term financial security. 

• Navigation Tip: I would encourage working with a financial professional at this point to get an unparalleled level of personalization. There’s a lot that goes into a solid financial plan to achieve your goals. It’s your roadmap to a fulfilling, intentional, and thoughtful future. And don’t forget – this isn’t a one and done effort. This will be ongoing as your priorities and goals shift throughout your life, please remember this! 

• Roadside Toolkit: Learn how to craft a plan for your money—covering investing, tax strategies, savings and family protection.

Thoughtfully Navigate Your Wealth Management

Remember that these phases aren’t set in stone, and your wealth-building journey won’t be perfectly linear. It’s expected that your path through and around each of these phases will be full of unexpected twists and turns. Forward progress is rarely a straight line. Each phase offers valuable lessons and opportunities for growth, so no shortcuts — embrace each and every phase!

Looking for a co-pilot on this wild ride of a road trip? I’m here for it! Check out my services page to learn more about my suite of digital courses — for those who prefer to have control of the radio — and my personalized one-on-one financial planning program — for those who aren’t shy about asking for directions. I can’t wait to see where your wealth-building journey takes you!