Journey To Launch

In 2020, you cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought. This is just one of the amazing takeaways I discovered in my latest read, You Can’t Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought: A Book for People with Any Life Threatening Illness--Including Life. This podcast episode will arm you with confidence, motivation, and knowledge to have your best year yet!  Reaching  a goal starts in the mind. Therefore, negative thoughts are too expensive and could cost you your dream or your purpose. In this week’s episode I share 13 takeaways from this book, as well as, my thoughts on how you can stay motivated to create and accomplish your goals in 2020.  In this episode you will learn: The power of positive thinking and how to combat negative thoughts What it means to take responsibility How to be open to all methods and schools of thought Ways to combat fear How preparing for death is actually living and so much more Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: If you enjoyed these takeaways, check out the book by John Roger and Peter McWilliams. I use Michael Hyatt’s Full Focus Planner to keep me focused so I get things done. If you are looking for a planner consider using this one. 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 Get on the Money Launch Club Waitlist

2018 was a year of major growth and transitions in my business and personal life. I quit my job, had my third baby and jumped feet first into entrepreneurship full-time. In this week's podcast episode, I'm reviewing some of the goals I met in 2018, what I learned this year and what I'm looking forward to in 2019. I'm also sharing tips and strategies that you can apply to your own life and finances so that you can set yourself up for your best year yet too! Join the Journeyer Launch Club for classes, tools, resources and the community support you need to reach Financial Independence   In this episode we discuss: What I accomplished and what I learned Things I'm looking forward to and planning for in 2019 How to make 2019 your best financial year yet   Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Check out The Journeyer Launch Club 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 2 month 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

We all have some sort of relationship to money. Most of us, unfortunately, are enslaved to money.  What if, just by healing our relationship with money, we could transform our relationship in life? In this week’s episode, I’m speaking with Lynne Twist, the author of The Soul of Money where we discuss how we can find strength, truth and joy in our relationship to money. In this episode we discuss: The powerful grip that money has on our lives Why budgeting and financial planning is more about wisdom What is the soul and how does it relate to money? What it looks or feels like when a person is in harmony with the way they view, earn and spend money What it means to take a stand and the money will follow How practicing gratitude allows us to receive more in our lives plus so much more    Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Soul of Money Institute:  https://soulofmoney.org/ Pachamama Alliance: https://www.pachamama.org/ The online course information is on the “Learn & Engage” page, Lynne suggested you looking at Awakening the Dreamer, Game Changer Intensive and Drawdown: https://www.pachamama.org/engage 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 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.   Connect with Lynne: Facebook: The Soul Of Money Institute Twitter: @lynne_twist Instagram: Soul Of Money LinkedIn: lynnetwist   Connect with me: Instagram: @journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group

This is my most important and special interview to date. It's with my Mom. I talk about her so much on the show and in every interview I do so why not give you the opportunity to hear from her yourself. I give her all the credit for the person who I am today. She put me in this amazing position to prosper despite the fact that she didn't have much and had me as a young mom. In the episode, we talk about: How she had me at 20 years old and had to leave me behind as a baby in Jamaica while she came to USA to look for more opportunities How she made a way for herself in NYC without having any money or knowing much Why she focused on education as a means to get out of poverty The characteristics she instilled in me and the lessons she taught to me growing up The fact that she taught me the importance of saving but never really taught me about managing money The many ways she helped me financially even though it meant sacrificing her own goals Plus so much more   This episode was sponsored by Prepare to Prosper a campaigned by Wells Fargo designed to build financial capability and help address the African American wealth gap.  To check out their free resources, go to wellsfargo.com/financial-education   Also, check out the Journeyer Launch Club to join other Journeyers just like yourself who are on the path to launch to Financial Independence!   Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: The doors for the Journeyer Launch club are now open! Join us here 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 goals YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month 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  

Does your income matter when it comes to being able to reach Financial Freedom/Financial Independence? How big of a role does privilege play in being able to reach your goal and does everyone benefit from having privilege? How do race and socioeconomics play into the wealth journey? I’m talking about these topics on today's episode and would love to hear what you think too.  Also, I’ve been dreaming of, talking about and wanting to create a transformative online community space for Journeyers for a while now and I’m so happy to announce that it’s finally here! If you have a desire to reach Financial Independence/ Financial Freedom, enjoy the podcast or appreciate my approach to finances, then you have a place in the Journeyer Launch Club. The Journeyer Launch Club is a community of Journeyers providing the support, accountability, and tools to help each other reach our financial goals and live our best lives. The doors are now open for the BETA launch Perks of joining include:  💥Online Community Vibrant Space  💥Monthly Virtual “Launch” Parties  💥Podcast After-show where we connect with your fav podcast guests and get bonus content from the podcast  💥Online classes on different personal finance topics  💥Plus so much more! Join us in the launch club before the price increases in a few days!    Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Investopedia Article - Which Income Class Are You  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 goals YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.  

The journey to Financial Independence can be a tough one that is full of ebbs and flows. I believe that it is so important that we share our stories to inspire others that may be experiencing some of the same challenges that we have. That is why I started the Journeyer Profile Series where I’m talking to my listeners and the people in my community about their path to FI. In this week’s episode, I’m speaking with Kari Lorz, who is not only making strides towards establishing financial independence with her husband, but she is also building a financial safety net for her 2 year old daughter to fall back on in the case that she cannot do for herself; as she is ailed by Cerebral Palsy. Keep reading and listen to this week's show to learn more about her story. If you would like to be considered to be a journeyer for the Journeyer Profile Series go to www.journeytolaunch.com/journeyerprofile   When did you discover FI?   I've been really into finance for 4 years, but not until maybe 8 months ago did I discover FI. In the beginning, it was couponing, heavy comparison shopping, then Dave Ramsey, then retirement planning and then I finally found out about FI. Whew!     Why are you pursuing FI? What's your WHY? My main goal with FI is to be able to have enough of a financial cushion so I can stop working to help take better care of my daughter and do better self-care. Right now I am frazzled, not healthy, and always worried. I need to do better, I have to do better! My daughter is almost 3 yrs old and since birth she has had significant physical delays, we're almost certain that a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy will be given. So in talking about FI & my daughter, I need to have more time to help take care of her, specifically, do more home physical therapy, & more hands-on time. Right now it's the typical working mom scenario; laundry, groceries, cleaning, taking care of all the finances, oh and working with an hour commute each way. It's exhausting, so when I am home I'm tired and doing all the regular home stuff, it's hard to do everything and be a physical therapist. I have a great husband and he takes on a lot but he also works full time and is in the National Guard. For Lilia we have also set up an ABLE account, it was originally a college 529 account that we started at birth, but in her situation we decided an ABLE account was better (you can use it for a lot more things than a 529, basically anything that improves her quality of life will count). We're not quite sure what her earning potential will be in the future, so we want to get as much of a cushion as we can for her together to help her.   What's your FI number? and/or overall FI goal? (if you don't know input n/a) Lean FI would be $1.2M and fat FI would be $1.8M but I'd feel better with $2 - then we could go to DisneyWorld more! I'd like to also have the ABLE account maxed ($15K per year, up to about $300K). The hard part for us with our FI number, a lot of the retirement income will come from two pensions. My husband has almost reached his 20 years in the Service (he'll get full retirement in two years), and he also works for the State in Child Welfare. So the RE portion of FIRE isn't for us, but the FI part is what we're focused on. Where are you currently on the journey? Debt payoff mode, aggressively saving mode, increasing investments mode? We are in the increasing investment mode. The only debt we have is our mortgage. We do have a few sinking funds set up (vacation, home repair, Lilia's medical needs, and emergency), so immediate and near future needs are taken care of.     What are some mistakes, wins and lessons you’ve learned or gathered along the way to share with other Journeyers? Mistake - Living in a HCOL area, Portland, Or. But we're local, so all our family is here. - Not saving more earlier on was a HUGE mistake of mine. When I was in my 20's I was saving maybe $50 a month in IRA. I never even considered more. I had to money to invest, but I never realized the potential.Win - I am slowly getting into the side hustle game. For a time I was in it, but only very limited (i.e. taste testings, surveys, etc.) Then my overall mantra became "quit majoring in minor things!" So just in the past three months have I been serious about building a side hustle.     List the things you are doing to help move forward on your journey (side hustle, cutting expenses, increasing income, moving to LCOL, building up passive income streams, etc.)   - side hustle - small optimizations over time = big outcomes - avoiding debt like the plague. - sinking funds!   I'd love to have a blog as a passive income stream yet I'm not sure if a blog is for me.     What are your plans after FI? What do you ultimately want to do when money is no longer an issue? Spend time with my family, watch a movie all the way through without distractions. (Right now it takes me 4 nights to watch a movie because I always fall asleep, as its late at night. Or I do chores while watching and I don't ever enjoy it). It's really hard for me to sit and do nothing, I feel like I have so much on my plate that I need to constantly be productive. My husband and I really want to travel, we want experiences and not things! "Things" just feel like such a weight, kind of suffocating. I'd love to have more of a minimalist lifestyle. What advice do you have for other Journeyers who want to stay motivated on this journey? Always be learning! I feel that I have missed out on so much because I just "didn't know". I found out about compound interest way too late in the game. Catching up is hard! For my nephew's HS graduation I gave him a DR compound interest chart of Arthur & Ben, and a book on how not to f-up in college financially speaking :). I did tuck a $100 bill in there and didn't tell him, he had to read the book to find it. ha ha I am always trying to learn (which may contribute to my frazzledness as I always want to be implementing new things). So my best advice is to try and spend at least 1 hour a day on learning. I listen to financial and side hustle podcasts on my commute. Too much learning = overload. Take it slow & steady!     [bctt tweet="I'm listening to Episode 73 of the #journeytolaunch podcast, Journeyer Profile Kari Lorz Finding Her Way to FI While Building a Financial Safety Net For Her Special Needs Daughter." username="journeytolaunch"] [bctt tweet="Quit majoring in minor things!" username="journeytolaunch"]   Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: More about the Able Account - Tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families Unstoppable Blog- Life Lessons The Choose FI Guys interview on the Journey To Launch podcast - The Pillars of FI  journeytolaunch.com/episode19 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 goals YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. Get the Financial B.O.S.S. toolkit     Connect with Kari: The PDX VA- https://thepdxva.com/   Connect with me: Instagram: @journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group

At some point or another we've all said to ourselves "I have way too much STUFF!". If you haven't yet, consider yourself ahead of the game as we discuss sustainability and financial literacy with this week's guest, personal financial educator and sustainability advocate Catherine Agopcan. After much trial and error, she arrived at the conclusion that too much stuff was bad for the wallet and the planet. She is now on a mission to show others that caring for the environment and seeking financial independence go hand-in-hand. She is the founder of Sisters for Financial Independence and The Do Something Project, which provides resources to empower women to start owning their finances in pursuit of financial independence. The Do Something Project is dedicated to a well-lived life full of adventure and good health by following the tenets of minimalism and eco-friendly living. In this episode we discuss: The switch from believing money is bad & not in line with minimalism to viewing money in a positive way Why Zero waste is not possible but we should still attempt it How looking out for the planet helps our financial pursuits Small steps we can start today to be more responsible with the way we consume, live, and invest Why you should choose hobbies and pursue interests to help build your skill set The hard truths of minimalism and decluttering   This episode is sponsored by the Financial B.O.S.S. toolkit:  The Financial B.O.S.S. Toolkit is jam-packed with e-books and video courses to help you with credit, saving, budgeting, investing and more! The Financial B.O.S.S. Toolkit brings together 20 products worth over $1500 to help level up your finances, for a limited-time investment of $197. Get started with the Financial B.O.S.S. toolkit here Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: B Corp - certifying companies meeting environmental, social, transparent and accountability standards like Patagonia ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) - I personally use Fidelity and here's how they use ESG for their funds. BankLocal - Find a local bank that reinvests in the community More info on Zero Waste Other options for local investing via Locavesting Swell Investing - investing in companies solving today's problems with thematic portfolios on Clean Water, Zero Waste, Renewable Energy, etc. 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 goals YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.   Connect with Catherine: http://www.thedosomethingproject.com http://www.sistersforfi.com Instagram: @thedosomethingprjct Facebook: The Do Something Project Twitter: @cagopcan   Connect with me: Instagram: @journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group

The road to financial literacy can be a daunting journey, especially when you're 22 years old, $30,000 in debt, and making $18 an hour while living in the most expensive city in America (NYC). This is where this week's guest Farnoosh Torabi found herself before becoming one of the leading personal finance authorities hooked on helping young professionals navigate their finances and live their richest, happiest lives. From her early days reporting for Money Magazine to hosting a prime-time series on CNBC and writing monthly for O, The Oprah Magazine and Mint.com, she’s become a favorite go-to money expert. In this episode we discuss: How she ended up choosing to go into the money business Her long-standing career in personal finance The common themes and issues that she’s seen in finances over the years Her thoughts on the FIRE movement Why you should choose hobbies and pursue interests to help build your skill set Why she’s also now dabbling in comedy Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Get a copy of Farnoosh's most recent book - When She Makes More  Listen to my episode on the So Money Podcast  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 goals YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.   Connect with Farnoosh: www.farnoosh.tv Listen to the So Money Podcast Instagram: @Farnoosh Torabi Facebook: Farnoosh Torabi Twitter: @farnoosh   Connect with me: Instagram: @journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group

Simplicity and the concept of ‘less is more’ can be beneficial in much more than finance. The new tiny home movement has proved to be a great new option for a lot of families that are looking to live a simpler, more abundant life. This week’s guest, Jewel Pearson, is not only a tiny homeowner but she is also an advocate and community leader that shares her tiny living experiences and assists others in achieving their tiny living dreams. Over the course of a decade, Jewel worked toward downsizing her life and in 2015 she built the tiny home of her dreams in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her 360 sq ft home has been featured on HGTV’s shows “Tiny House, Big Living” and “How Are They Now” and has been featured in several other media outlets. As a proud supporter of tiny living and the simpler lifestyle that it offers, she provides support through her consulting services and workshops that she teaches around the country. Jewel has also founded the Tiny House Trailblazers; a duo collaboration of powerful and uniquely talented women of color who together are a strong representation and voice for diversity and inclusion within the tiny house movement. In this episode we discuss: Why everyone should redefine or rather choose for themselves what tiny living means The misconception some people have that living in a tiny home means you sacrifice quality, luxury, and design & why tiny living does not mean “small living” How downsizing and living this life helped Jewel to live her life fully and abundantly What Jewel’s life was like before the tiny home and what prompted the change The mental and physical steps it took to actually make the changes she needed to move into her home Tiny living with a family How to start the tiny living process Jewel’s mission to bring the tiny home movement to more people of color and some of the racism she has experienced in the community The different tiny home options Factors to consider in making the transition to tiny home living Range in cost for tiny homes? Jewel’s thoughts on the FIRE (Financially Independent, Retire Early) movement   Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Tiny House Communities Info Tour of Jewel's Tiny House-(more updated pics available on social media sites) 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 goals YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.   Connect with Jewel: Ms. Gypsy Soul Instagram: @msgypsysoul1 Facebook: Ms. Gypsy Soul Twitter: @msgypsysoul   Connect with the Tiny House Trailblazers: Tiny House Trailblazers Instagram: @tinyhousetrailblazers Facebook: Tiny House Trailblazers Twitter: @tinyhousetrailblazers   Connect with me: Instagram: @journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group

Getting rid of six-figure debt is no easy feat but Takiia Anderson, the voice behind The Frugal Biddy, is proof that it can be done. After graduating from law school, Takiia had accrued more than $150,000 of debt. As the single mother of a 2-year-old little girl making only $34,000 a year, she knew that something had to change. Takiia went on to save over $500,000 and pay for her daughter’s college education at the prestigious Spelman College. She shares all of her tips, tricks, and personal finance advice on her blog, The Frugal Bitty. In this episode we discuss: The overall steps Takiia took to go from debt to having a large savings today The things that she gave up to pay off her student loan debt Her decision to save for her daughter's college costs while still being in debt Takiia’s plan for investing when she first opened her daughter's college saving account Why she stopped investing in retirement to save for her daughter's college education The money lessons that she taught her daughter Passing on generational wealth and not generational debt   Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Single Mom Masterminds 700,000 Swing From Debt to Savings  Frugal Biddy- Pass on Generational Wealth Not Generational Debt  Fugal Biddy-  Mental Health Savings Plan  Search for jobs as a contract attorney  Indeed 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 goals YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.   Connect with Takiia: The Frugal Biddy Instagram: @thefrugalbiddy Facebook: The Frugal Biddy Twitter: @bitty_the     Connect with me: Instagram: @journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group