Hey there, guys and gals! Have you just graduated high school and looking for your first job? Or maybe you’re smashing your college exams and dreaming of a bigger life. Then this is your call to action. We are going to take a journey together that you may not even think is possible right now. We are going to travel the road to prosperity and achieve your financial dreams!
Now, before you complain that retirement is a long way away and you are just starting out, we aren’t talking about your parents’ version of retirement freedom (golf carts and loud Hawaiian shirts). We’re talking about freedoms based on your terms. Do you want to run a side hustle that fuels your passion rather than a soul-destroying 9 to 5 job where you work your arse off to make someone else rich?
Imagine the life where you don’t have to check your budget spreadsheet before deciding if you are going to that concert (or you could take me!). Think late-night pizza with friends, not because it’s the cheapest option, but because you can and it is a great way to celebrate chasing your dreams.
We’re talking about breaking free from living paycheck to paycheck, stressing about having a second latte or wondering if you will ever get a place of your own. Not one that the bank owns! This is about building a life where money works for you, not the other way around.
I have been on this planet for a long time now, so don’t expect me to speak your lingo. Everybody tells me that I need to speak the same language as you so that I resonate with you. But that’s not me. I am here to give you the best advice I have learnt or worked out over my lifetime so that you can get a head start in life. It’s not about skimping on everything and ditching all the fun. Who wants financial freedom if you can’t enjoy yourself along the way, right? Not me! It’s about smart strategies, empowering choices, and easy to use tools that’ll transform your finances from budget-beast to freedom-fuel.
Get ready to crack the code to your own financial destiny. We’ll unlock the secrets of mindset mastery, skillset sharpening, and action-packed tools that’ll turn your financial fears into an adrenaline-packed journey into your future. So hold on tight, because the quest to achieve your financial dreams starts here and now, and I hope you come along for the ride.
Step 1: Cultivating a Winning Mindset
Let’s kick off this journey with the most powerful weapon in your arsenal: your mind. That’s right, before we start talking budgets and spreadsheets, we need to rewrite the rules of the money game because how your brain is wired is the invisible force that is shaping your financial reality.
So, first things first, forget those old cliches like “money doesn’t grow on trees” or “I’m no good with money” and dump them in the garbage. Those old beliefs aren’t a part of our journey. They’re just leftovers from someone else’s story and we don’t believe them.
Instead, let’s cultivate a winning money mindset:
1. Silence the Inner Skeptic
At various times in our life, we all have that inner voice whispering (or yelling) “you can’t afford this” or “you’ll never be able to reach that goal”. Don’t let this voice destroy your dreams. Ride along with me on this journey and I will teach you how to replace this negativity with the belief that you are unstoppable. Visualize your financial goals, picture yourself crushing it, and let that confidence guide you forward into your financial future. Remember, “those who believe they can achieve, usually do”.
2. Befriend Abundance
First, you need to ditch the scarcity mindset and replace it with an abundance mindset because the world is full of opportunities if you just know where to look. No more thinking “I can’t”. Switch to “How can I” and you will start seeing possibilities everywhere. Who knows, that side hustle you’re brainstorming might be the next avocado toast empire!
3. Celebrate EVERY Win
Financial freedom isn’t about overnight riches. It’s about a series of small victories. So, whether you finally paid off that college loan or snagged a great deal on some concert tickets (I’m a big fan of outdoor concerts!), give yourself a high five and celebrate the moment. These wins, big or small, add up and fuel your momentum.
Here’s a tip: Gratitude is your secret weapon. Start a gratitude journal and jot down the things you are thankful for (even the little stuff like coffee that gets you through that study session). By appreciating what you already have, you open up to even more abundance flowing your way.
Step 2: Mastering the Essential Skillset
Picture this. You’re on an epic quest like Indiana Jones chasing down hidden treasure. But instead of dusty tombs and booby traps, you’re navigating your way through the financial jungle. And guess what? This time the hidden treasure isn’t some ancient artifact – it’s your own financial freedom. To complete this quest, you will need to sharpen your financial skills, learn some powerful money-management moves, and unlock the secrets to making your bank account bulge at the seams. Here’s how.
1. Slay the spending.
We’ve gotta conquer the cash flow beast first. Forget boring spreadsheets to track your finances; there are awesome budgeting apps like YNAB (You Need A Budget), Simplifi, and PocketGuard that’ll making tracking your expenses feel like you are playing an online financial game (but without the annoying Royal Match ads). Choose your app of choice, log your finances and watch your budget transform from a monster to your personal assistant.
Here is a link to a recent article from CNBC that looks at the best budgeting apps in 2024.
2. Demolish your debt.
It is now time to wipe out your personal debt, so tackle high-interest debt like credit cards first. Explore options like debt consolidation or repayment plans, and turn those monthly repayments into fuel for your financial journey. Remember that every penny saved from interest payments is a tiny victory, so celebrate the win as you move closer to achieving your financial dreams.
3. Become the stockmarket wizard.
Think of the stock market as a magic potion shop, where you money can be transformed into future prosperity. Don’t worry, you don’t need a wizard beard or a witches hat. Just start small with low-risk investments like index funds or delve into robo-advisers that produce the magic for you. You just need to remember that time is your most powerful investment tool and the sooner you can start investing, the more time your money has to grow.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb
Step 3: Taking Action with Powerful Tools
OK, my aspiring financial warriors. We’ve conquered the mindset jungle and sharpened our skillset. Now, it’s time to unleash our ultimate financial weapons: powerful tools that automate the journey to financial freedom! Imagine if you could put your finances into autopilot, where your money works for you as you pursue your dreams.
1. Saving on Auto-Pilot
Forget about manual transfers and embrace automated savings heroes like scheduled deposits and “round-up” apps. Imagine if every time you had a latte, the rounding up helps to build your future fund. Imagine if a portion of your paycheck automatically transfers to your savings account – it’s like magic, but better.
“The best time to save money is when you have it.” – Unknown
2. Paying bills on Auto-Pilot
With automatic bill payments, you can kiss late fees or forgotten bills goodbye. Forget about credit score reports and avoid the debt monster. It’s like a stress-busting shield that keeps your finances in check and your mind at ease.
3. Investing on Auto-Pilot
Do you feel intimidated by the stock market? I know I did as a young adult going into the “big boys” league. Today, you have an ally; an AI ally. Enter the robo-adviser, your pocket-sized investment guru. These platforms automate your portfolio management based on your goals and risk profile, taking the guesswork out of investing and making your money work for you, even while you sleep!
Here is a link to a recent article from the nerdwallet website that looks at the best robo-advisors in 2024.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. This isn’t just a roadmap to financial freedom, it is the launchpad for a life defined by your own terms. Forget the “old way” of doing things and the expected outcomes. Now is your time to rewrite the rules, forge your own path to the future you want, and build up a healthy nest egg along the way.
Remember, the journey won’t always be easy. Life will throw you many curve balls and there will be plenty of bumps and detours along the way. Maybe even some major road closures. But with the right mindset, the right skillset, and the right tools, you will overcome any obstacle and rightfully achieve your financial dreams.
Believe in yourself. You can achieve incredible things and you are empowered to turn your dreams into reality. So stand tall, embrace the journey and great things will follow.
Resources:
I use a phone app called InnerciseTM to maintain my abundance mindset. InnerciseTM is a scientifically proven methodology to train and strengthen your mental and emotional skills. It was developed by John Assaraf, CEO, Chairman & Founder of NeuroGym:
InnerciseTM and several other empowering programs are available on the website but, as we embark on this journey to financial prosperity, I recommend that you initially conserve your finances and follow John on his Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@johnassaraf
If you can relate to John’s posts on the NeuroGym blog and YouTube, you can always subscribe to his programs once the financial wheels starts turning! This mindset training could be the key for you to achieve your financial dreams.
