Journey To Launch

What is Financial Independence and how can you reach it? Today I sit down with the guys from the Choose FI podcast to talk about the pillars of Financial Independence (FI) and the practical steps you can take to attain this goal. In today's episode with Jonathan & Brad, we talk about the following: The backgrounds of Jonathan & Brad from Choose FI and what prompted them to get off the hamster wheel Jonathan graduating with $168,000 in student loan debt and how he paid it off What FI is and how do you know when you've reached FI The Pillars of FI How can someone begin to work towards FI even while still in debt plus so much more! On last week's podcast episode, I talked about making my TV debut here in NYC as the personal finance expert on a weekly segment. Check out the preview below and watch the segment online here. If you're local in NYC, you can watch me every Wednesday on Making Cents w/ Kristie on News12 Bronx at 4pm and News12 Brooklyn at 5pm on Optimum (channel 12) & Spectrum (channel 212) cable networks. Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: My One on One Money Coaching Services The Wealth Building Manual 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 Choose FI: choosefi.com Choose FI on Facebook Choose FI on Twitter   Connect with me: Journey To Launch Instagram Journey To Launch Twitter Journey To Launch Facebook Page Join the private Facebook Group  

Money is one of the leading causes of stress and issues in relationships. Whether you are dating or married, getting on the same financial page with your partner is crucial to accomplishing your overall life goals. On today's podcast, I'm talking with Elle Martinez from Couple Money. Couple Money explores how couples can build their finances together and just won Best Family Finance Blog at the 8th Annual Plutus Awards. In today's episode with Elle, we talk about the following: Why Elle started Couple Money and its mission How couples can merge two opposing goals or visions for the future and compromise The four different types of money date and what to do and not do on a money date The importance of building a budget together and the 3 types of budgets If all couples should merge their finances and how couples can boost their bottom line Preparing for the major milestones; having a baby and buying a home How a couple can plan to retire early together. What to do if one partner is not on board with improving or optimizing their finances How can people who are just dating or a single person approach the subject of money with a potential partner Also, I share two huge announcements on this episode. First, I will be on the local NYC News 12 Bronx and Brooklyn stations as the financial expert on a new weekly segment. News 12 runs on Optimum Cable (channel 12) & Spectrum (channel 212). The first show will air today (November 8th) on News 12 Bronx at 4pm EST and News 12 Brooklyn at 5pm EST and will repeat over the next few weeks. You'll have to listen to this podcast episode to hear the second big announcement... Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: My One on One Money Coaching Services The Wealth Building Manual 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 Elle: couplemoney.com Couple Money Facebook Page Couple Money on Twitter Couple Money on Instagram   Connect with me: Journey To Launch Instagram Journey To Launch Twitter Journey To Launch Facebook Page Join the private Facebook Group  

In today's solo episode, I'm sharing the lessons I learned from attending FinCon 2017 last week in Dallas. FinCon is the annual conference where all of your favorite personal finance bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers and money nerds get together to learn, share, network and grow their businesses. This was my first year attending FinCon and I couldn't be more happy with my experience. Not only did I get to meet some of my amazing past guests in person but I also got a chance to meet and network with people I really admire in the personal finance space. Also, the winners of the 2017 Plutus awards were announced the last night at FinCon. Journey To Launch was nominated as a finalist in the Best New Podcast and Best New Blog categories and while I didn’t win, I’m really amazed that a blog I only got really serious about at the beginning of this year and a podcast that I just launched in July was recognized by you my audience and my peers in the personal finance space as the best of the best. I was really up against some great blogs and podcasts. You can check out the full list of Plutus Awards finalists here and the winners here. Also, as a gift to you, I'm giving away one of my favorite personal finance books, The Millionaire Next Door by David Bach. David was one of the keynote speakers at the conference and shared his journey to writing the book and gave us words of encouragement as creators to serve first with our work. Click here to see how you can enter to win David's best selling book, The Automatic Millionaire. Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: My One on One Money Coaching Services The Wealth Building Manual 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: Journey To Launch Instagram Journey To Launch Twitter Journey To Launch Facebook Page Join the private Facebook Group

As a single mom, Naseema McElroy has a fascinating financial journey story. She went from owning 5 properties to losing it all in the real estate crash to pursuing a career in nursing. Eventually, her nursing degree allowed her to secure a high paying job but she was in tons of debt and still broke.  In this interview with Naseema, we discuss how she was able to forge on in the midst of financial hardships, divorce and becoming a single mom. Her drive and resilience allowed her to bounce back from her setbacks and pay off $300,000 in debt in 2 years. While her financial journey is far from over, she is sharing her story and the lessons she's learned along the way. In my interview with Naseema, we discuss the following:  Naseema's background How she first got into real estate and lost it all in the market crash How getting married and then divorced affected her journey and finances Her journey to paying off $300,000 worth of debt in 2 years  How she balances being a nurse and being a single mom Why she started her business, Financially Intentional Tips for single parents and divorced moms on how to get ahead with their finances Her best advice for someone looking to get out of debt and save more plus so much more Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Naseema's Site: Financially Intentional  My One on One Money Coaching Services The Wealth Building Manual 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 Naseema: financiallyintentional.com Naseema Facebook Page Naseema's Facebook Group Naseema on Instagram  Connect with me: Journey To Launch Instagram Journey To Launch Twitter Journey To Launch Facebook Page Join the private Facebook Group

Is early retirement possible with kids? How is it possible to live a $100,000 lifestyle on a $40,000 budget?  Through careful saving and planning, Just McCurry from the popular blog rootofgood.com is showing us how he managed to accumulate enough wealth to retire at age 33. What makes Justin's story especially inspiring and relatable is that he was able to do reach Financial Independence even though he had three kids. Now he and his family travel when they please and live a life not confined to a paycheck. On today's episode, Justin I talk about the following: How he got through college and law school with relatively little to no debt When he decided that he wanted to retire early and what steps he took to make sure that it actually happened Some of the foundational things anyone can implement to reach Financial Freedom; optimal spouse selection, good job w/ benefits, maximizing savings, not paying taxes, permanent starter home and making smart investments How he was able to keep the cost of raising kids relatively low How they travel the world for nearly free as a family of 5 How he makes money in retirement and why his net worth continues to increase plus so much more Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Justin's Blog: Root of Good A couple of Justin's blog posts: Early Retirement at 33, Summer Vacation in Europe for $10,000 , Living a $100,000 Lifestyle on $40,000 My One on One Money Coaching Services The Wealth Building Manual YNAB -  You can try it free for 34 days and after that its $5 a month or $50 a year. I recommend you at least sign up for the free trial. If you don’t want to continue after the trial, you will have at least practiced active budgeting for a month. If you sign up beyond the 34-day free trial using my referral link, you’ll get a month free and I’ll get a month free, seems like a win-win to me! Connect with Justin: rootofgood.com Root of Good On Facebook Root of Good On Twitter Connect with me: Journey To Launch Instagram Journey To Launch Twitter Journey To Launch Facebook Page Join the private Facebook Group  

Anyone can build wealth and anyone can start with nothing and turn it into something. Nothing demonstrates that more than today's guest, Alanya Kolberg, creator of Bottom of Wealth. Alanya went from being on welfare and bankruptcy to teaching herself how to invest and now she runs a 6 figure business helping others build their own wealth from the bottom up. Her fearlessness when it comes to learning and teaching others about investing is inspiring and I can't wait to share her story with you. In this episode we talk about the following: How Alanya went from welfare and bankruptcy to running a 6 figure business Why you don't have to be good at numbers or math to build wealth The key foundation and building blocks to wealth If someone should invest while in debt Her love for Roth IRA's and why fees matter Why she doesn't just want to make her kids "rich" plus so much more Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Alanya's site: Bottom Up Wealth A couple of Alanya's blog posts: Make Your Kids Rich with $10 a Week , Roth IRA's are Financial Life My Coaching Services The Wealth Building Manual YNAB -  You can try it free for 34 days and after that its $5 a month or $50 a year. I recommend you at least sign up for the free trial. If you don’t want to continue after the trial, you will have at least practiced active budgeting for a month. If you sign up beyond the 34-day free trial using my referral link, you’ll get a month free and I’ll get a month free, seems like a win-win to me! Connect with Alanya: bottomupwealth.com On Facebook Connect with me: Journey To Launch Instagram Journey To Launch Twitter Journey To Launch Facebook Page Join the private Facebook Group

We are in the home stretch of 2017. How are you doing with your goals? In this episode, I give you some tips on how to finish out the 4th quarter of the year strong. In order to set goals you can accomplish, you must make them S.M.A.R.T: S- Specific M - Measurable A- Achievable R- Results Focused T- Timely Next, I talk about the different points you can be on when pursuing Financial Freedom. You can either be a Beginner Journeyer, Intermediate Journeyer or Advanced Journeyer. If you want to find out where you fit on the Journeyer scale, take this quiz. Lastly, I answer two listener questions from my voicemail. The first is from Ana who asks if she should take money out of her pension from a previous employer and the other is from Amber who wants to know the financial costs she should consider before going to law school. If you want to leave a voicemail question for me to answer on the podcast, click here.   Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Where Are You On Your Financial Journey Take the Journeyer Quiz My Coaching Services The Wealth Building Manual YNAB -  You can try it free for 34 days and after that its $5 a month or $50 a year. I recommend you at least sign up for the free trial. If you don’t want to continue after the trial, you will have at least practiced active budgeting for a month. If you sign up beyond the 34-day free trial using my referral link, you’ll get a month free and I’ll get a month free, seems like a win-win to me! Connect with me: Journey To Launch Instagram Journey To Launch Twitter Journey To Launch Facebook Page Join the private Facebook Group  

Investing in real estate can be very risky yet very rewarding. Learn how Kendra Barnes without knowing much, in the beginning, started her fast-growing real estate empire. It all started when she and her husband had an epiphany while playing a board game which inspired them to get serious about building wealth and they haven't looked back since.  While buying real estate isn't for everyone (as discussed in last week's podcast episode with Kristy & Bryce), if you do your proper research and invest wisely, you can eventually build a nest egg of asset producing properties that will serve you well on your path to Financial Freedom.  In this episode with Kendra Barnes we discuss the following: How she and her husband owned seven rental units by the time they were 30 years old Why and how real estate is a good or not so good investing option for people What makes someone successful as a real estate investor What are the steps someone can use to buy their very first property (especially if they don't have much money) Tips for someone living in a HCOL area who wants to get into the real estate game  The costs that you should be prepared for when buying and maintaining an investment property and primary residence Why you need to step out of your comfort zone to build wealth plus so much more!   Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Kendra's site- The Key Resource Naca.com Loftium.com Episode 11- Rejecting Homeownership, Traveling the World & Retiring by 31 Years Old YNAB -  You can try it free for 34 days and after that its $5 a month or $50 a year. I recommend you at least sign up for the free trial. If you don’t want to continue after the trial, you will have at least practiced active budgeting for a month. If you sign up beyond the 34-day free trial using my referral link, you’ll get a month free and I’ll get a month free, seems like a win-win to me! Connect with Kendra: thekeyresource.info on Instagram on Facebook  Connect with me: Journey To Launch Instagram Journey To Launch Twitter Journey To Launch Facebook Page Join the private Facebook Group  

Meet Krysti Chen & Bryce Leung, two millennials that decided to invest and retire early rather than buy a home in their high cost of living area, Toronto, Canada. They retired from their jobs at the age of 31 years old by working hard, prioritizing their spending and making smart investments and now they are traveling the world and sharing their experience with us.  Krysti and Bryce decided to figure out a lifestyle that would work best for them and made their dreams of early retirement come true. In this interview, we discuss the following: The actual steps they took to retire at 31 What gave them the motivation to start saving and cutting back on their "spendy" lifestyle and how they continued to keep their expenses in check while growing their income Why they don't believe home ownership is for everyone and dismantling the thought of homeownership as part of the "dream" How they deal with operating in a society where we are conditioned to believe that what we do for a living equals our worth How they manage to travel the world on a moderate budget plus much more! Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Visit Krysti & Bryce's site- Millennial-revolution.com Blog Posts - Would We Be Richer If We'd Bought A House, How They Got Here Series Part 1,   Free Investment Workshop Mr. Money Mustache's Blog  YNAB -  You can try it free for 34 days and after that its $5 a month or $50 a year. I recommend you at least sign up for the free trial. If you don’t want to continue after the trial, you will have at least practiced active budgeting for a month. If you sign up beyond the 34-day free trial using my referral link, you’ll get a month free and I’ll get a month free, seems like a win-win to me! Connect with Krysti & Bryce: Millennial-revolution.com on Twitter on Facebook  Connect with me: Journey To Launch Instagram Journey To Launch Twitter Journey To Launch Facebook Page Join the private Facebook Group  

What does someone have to go through to come from nothing, become a millionaire, lose it all, only to gain it back all again? Meet, Patrice Washington, America's Money Maven, best selling author, speaker, and money coach. Patrice is also a regular on the Steve Harvey Morning show as his resident finance expert and has also made appearances on Doctor Oz and other major news outlets where she shares her money expertise and tips.  I first met Patrice at Podcast Movement 2017. I was always a fan of her platform and she was so welcoming when I introduced myself. We hit it off immediately and I asked her to sit down with me and chat about her story and rise to become "America's Money Maven" LIVE at Podcast Movement at the FinCon booth. Patrice really opened up about her journey, the highs and lows of what it took to become the woman she is today. In our conversation, we discuss so much, including: Her childhood and how it shaped her to be a go-getter and entrepreneur How she became a real estate mogul and millionaire by the age of 25 Her lowest point of losing all of her money and investments which led her to an epiphany that would change everything How seeking wisdom and following her purpose allowed her to gain it all back and more The steps she took to become who she is today Why becoming mentally fit with your finances is a key to lasting financial success Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Visit Patrice's site- PatriceWashington.com  Patrice's podcast - Redefining Wealth Patrice's old blog Patrice's latest book- Real Money Answers   YNAB -  You can try it free for 34 days and after that its $5 a month or $50 a year. I recommend you at least sign up for the free trial. If you don’t want to continue after the trial, you will have at least practiced active budgeting for a month. If you sign up beyond the 34-day free trial using my referral link, you’ll get a month free and I’ll get a month free, seems like a win-win to me! Connect with Patrice: PatriceWashington.com Patrice on Twitter Patrice on Facebook  Patrice on Instagram Connect with me: Journey To Launch Instagram Journey To Launch Twitter Journey To Launch Facebook Page Join the private Facebook Group