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If you’re making good money and still feel broke, stressed, or behind, something is off and it’s not you. Today, I’m joined by my friend Vivian Tu, former Wall Street trader, CEO and founder of Your Rich BFF, and New York Times bestselling author of Well Endowed, to talk about what it really takes to get rich and stay rich. We’re calling out why paying your bills and saving is not the finish line, how optimization culture keeps high earners trapped in a constant game of “never enough,” and how to start using your money as a tool to buy time, freedom, and real security instead of status symbols. This episode is about ditching performative wealth, building systems that quietly grow your money, and finally feeling powerful, calm, and in control of your financial life.

Vivian’s links:

Website: https://www.yourrichbff.com/

Grab your copy of Well Endowed: http://richbffbook.com/ 

Visit ⁠https://herfirst100k.com/ffpod⁠ to stay up to date and find any resources mentioned on our show!

00:00 Intro 

00:51 Money traumas from childhood & the Chinese buffet story

03:17 How money narratives dictate everyday decisions

06:16 Knowing the price of everything but the value of nothing

08:14 Money as a tool to buy your best life

10:47 What comes after financial basics (Finance 2.0)

13:01 Building infrastructure vs. working harder

15:38 Strategic spending: "Do I want this or do I want people to know I have it?"

18:33 The sleep investment story

24:48 Why HENRYs (High Earners Not Rich Yet) feel stressed

28:21 The B-plus life trap & lifestyle inflation

31:24 Wasted opportunity, potential, and time

33:20 Kids will make you poorer - childcare costs

36:10 The prenup with built-in raises for childcare

37:34 Unpaid labor & the "good mom" trap

38:53 Cooking as unpaid labor vs. celebrity chef art

40:06 Speaking kindly to yourself about money

42:31 Making peace with your own financial timeline

45:07 The all-or-nothing mindset is killing progress

49:56 15 minutes is better than no minutes

50:17 Book takeaway: Chase security, stability & freedom

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