Journey To Launch

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 entrepreneurs can use for themselves? Do prior student loans qualify that you got years ago or for a degree not completed? Can employers add additional stipulations like you must continue working there for X amount of time Does this apply to part-time employees?  What are the chances that this will be extended into 2021? Take a listen to this episode and share it with someone who could benefit from it. Remember you have until the end of 2020 for your employer to make the payment.  Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Lynnette’s blog post on the subject  Click here to get the HR email template you can send to your HR department More COVID resource articles from Lynnette here Listen to Lynnette’s first appearance on the podcast where she talked about the CARE’s act & Economic Relief package here If you missed enrollment join the waitlist for my FI course. 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 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 YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. Connect with Lynnette: Website Instagram: @LynnetteKhalfaniCox Twitter: @TheMoneyCoach Facebook: @LynnetteKhalfaniCox Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist  Join the waitlist for my FI Course Jumpstart Guide  

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 why people don’t invest  What’s the first step to investing Different types of retirement accounts from your employer  Some mistakes beginners make A common theme from successful investors and business owners  Why it’s never too late to invest How to invest and pay off debt Ways to diversify your income as a business owner and much more... Special thanks to DCU for sponsoring the episode! Learn more about DCU by clicking here. Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Bola was a guest on episodes 22 (How Investing In Yourself & Starting A Business Can Lead To Financial Success) and 106 (Creating Financial Freedom & Wealth On Your Own Terms) of the podcast.  Bola’s book “Learn How Investing Works, Grow Your Money” can be purchased at Audible and Barnes and Nobles.  If you missed enrollment join the waitlist for my FI course. 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 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 YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. Connect with Bola: Website Facebook: @CleverGirlFinance Instagram:@CleverGirlFinance Twitter: @CleverGirlcgf Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist  Join the waitlist for my FI Course Jumpstart Guide

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 session looks like  How you can show up for yourself  How to commit to your journey and get accountability partners to help you on the way and much more... Special thanks to DCU for sponsoring the episode! Learn more about DCU by clicking here. Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Saundra was a guest on Episode 169 of the podcast Become Your Own Money Expert and Build A Financial Life True to Your Values & Desires. Black Friday Sale is happening all week long and the doors are now open to join the Money Launch Club until November 30. Teri is also having a Black Friday Sale for her VIP Trade and Travel Package and she is giving all of my Journeyers 10% off with the code: FRIYAY from Nov. 23- Nov. 30, click here to enroll. If you missed enrollment join the waitlist for my FI course. 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 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 YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. Connect with Saundra: Website Facebook: @SageMoney Instagram:@Sage.Money Twitter: @SageMoney Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist  Join the waitlist for my FI Course Jumpstart Guide

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 episodes Book Club Meetings Virtual Meet-ups within the club & much more! Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Go to moneylaunchclub.com/interviews to listen from journeyers who are in the Money Launch Club and have been on the podcast. 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 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 YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. Connect with me: Instagram: @journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist  Join the waitlist for my FI Course Jumpstart Guide

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 is possible and the obstacles she overcame to make it successful. I hope you are as excited as I am to  head to Harlem (post COVID), hop on the bike, and take part in the magic of Harlem Cycle.  In this episode you’ll learn: Why you should take the leap and do what scares you  The potential start up costs to a brick and mortar  How to market your new business  Ways to pivot your business during COVID and much more... Special thanks to DCU for sponsoring the episode! Learn more about DCU by clicking here. 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 of 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! Watch me on News12  Watch my latest segments on News12 YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. Connect with Tammeca: Website Twitter:@HarlemCycle Facebook:@HarlemCycle Instagram: HarlemCycle Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist  Join the waitlist for my FI Course Jumpstart Guide

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 you can trust credit unions with your money What myths are not true when it comes to credit unions How to join your local credit union, and much more… Special thanks to DCU for sponsoring the episode! Learn more about DCU by clicking here. Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Reminder, Jamila and Ron will be going LIVE on Instagram November 20 at 12pm on @journeytolaunch and @dcucreditunion!  Ron gives two websites that you can search to find your local credit union: Better Values, Better Banking and Your Money Further.  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 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 YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. Connect with Cooperative Credit Union Association,: Website Twitter:@CooperativeCUA Facebook:@CooperativeCreditUnionAssociation Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist  Join the waitlist for my FI Course Jumpstart Guide

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 creates a giant spread. The bigger the life factor, the more free you can ultimately be. Using this strategy, Adam and his wife were able to pay off their mortgage early, take a month to travel through Italy and raise more financially aware kids. Adam shares that money is important because it gives us choices, options, and flexibility. While he is very close to reaching Financial Independence, he doubts he will stop working because he loves what he does- writing, speaking and storytelling.   In this episode you’ll learn: How to build a bigger life and become an architect of your life What is a “life factor” and how to create more balance on your financial journey How to mentor and coach your children to be successful with money  Ways to build financial awareness with your children How to break money cycles and much more... Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Adam gave a Ted Talk on what playing Monopoly with real money taught his kids.  Adam mentioned the book he read, “Smart Couples Finish Rich,” that helped him and his wife get on the same page  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 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 YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. Connect with Adam: Website Twitter:@AdamCarroll Instagram:@Adam.Carroll Facebook:@AdamSpeaks Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist  Join the waitlist for my FI Course Jumpstart Guide

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 to $64,000. Now in 2020, he is still in the same government position as an Auditor but has since been promoted and is now bringing in $109,000.  Even though Lawrence did not finish school, what helped him excel was that he knew his strengths, his passion and wanted to give back to his community.  His story also shows us that you can still have debt and reach your financial goals. Debt is something that he chooses to live with and is manageable for him because he has a strategy. Focusing on building assets and investing has allowed him to own a home, a rental property, and start a small business, which would have been impossible if he focused on paying off his debt first.  Now he is on the journey to achieving his goals of reaching a million dollar net worth in 5 years and retiring in 15 years. Lawrence acknowledges that reaching Financial Freedom gives him and his financé the opportunity to do even more in the community and help people around them live their best lives. He believes there is a powerful synergy when we help each other out and show others what is possible.  The main message here is to just start and put one foot in front of the other. We can all do extraordinary things when we just decide to put our foot on the gas.  In this episode you’ll learn: How to increase your income   How to calculate your magic number to reach financial freedom The importance of having and owning your story  How to have debt and reach your financial goals and much more... Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Check out Lawrence’s Instagram post of him and his finacé saving/ investing almost 50% of their income. Elizabeth White was on Episode 59 of the podcast and she shared how she was faking normal until she owned her story. Learn more about the 5 Journeyer Stages in this podcast episode here. If you missed enrollment join the waitlist for my FI course. 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 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 YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. Connect with Lawrence: Website Twitter:@GQ_Accountant Instagram:@TheNeighborhoodFinanceGuy Facebook:@TheNeighborhoodFinanceGuy Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist  Join the waitlist for my FI Course Jumpstart Guide

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 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 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 YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist  Jumpstart Guide

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. 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 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 YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist  Jumpstart Guide