Journey To Launch

Love is in the air and we are talking about love and money in this week's episode. LeDo and Shameka McDowell talk about their relationship and how they paid off $32,000 in debt and built $100,000 in net worth. Once they got on the same financial page, they were unstoppable. LeDo and Shameka are creators of the podcast The Marital Mission, a podcast about married life for young couples. In this episode, we have an honest conversation about how to get your partner on board with your financial goals, the struggles that come with becoming debt-free, how to have the money talk with your partner, and more. In this episode, you will learn: Practical ways to get on the same financial page with your partner How to cut your expenses and reach your financial goals The importance of putting communication first The difference between the avalanche and the debt snowball debt payoff methods and more Special thanks to our podcast sponsor, Empower. Get $5 into your account when you download the Empower app and reach your savings goal. Enter code JOURNEY at signup here. Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: If you liked this episode you might also like A Money Chat With My Husband + The Budget Boot Camp. In this episode, my husband and I talk about my crazy money goals and his relationship with money. Go to Journeytolaunch.com/freedomsummit to join me at the Financial Freedom Summit in May. 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 LeDo & Shameka McDowell: Website Instagram:TheMaritalMission Twitter:MaritalMission Facebook:TheMaritalMission Connect with me: Instagram: @journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Get on the Money Launch Club Waitlist

In this week's Journey to Launch podcast episode, I answer the question, "Can you really reach financial independence?" Plus, I am celebrating because it's my birthday! As I reflect on the past year, I am sharing my personal goals for 2020, which include taking better care of me. Listen to this episode to find out how I plan to focus on myself and prioritize what really matters in life. I am also sharing ways on how you can create a life you love. In this episode you will learn: Tips that will make you resilient on your FIRE journey Examples of ways to take care of yourself in 2020 Why it's important to focus on your journey and not the outcomes How to make more time for things that really matter All about setting moon goals, and more Also, to help celebrate my birthday week, I'm opening doors to the Money Launch again this week. The Money Launch Club is the online membership that can help you reach your financial goals of saving more, paying off debt so that you can reach Financial Freedom. Join us while you can here. Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Just in case you missed it, check out my powerful conversation with Shawn Rochester about The Black Tax: The Cost of Being Black in America. If you want to learn more about my financial journey and why I delayed Financial Independence to be my own boss, check out my story in Forbes. Go to Journeytolaunch.com/freedomsummit to join me at the Financial Freedom Summit in May. 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

Did you know that after ~400 years of being in the US, African Americans in the United States only own two percent of U.S. wealth? This week on the Journey to Launch podcast, my guest, Shawn D. Rochester talks about how this dismal stat came to be with data-based research and discusses what we can do about it using concrete solutions. Shawn is the CEO of Good Steward, LLC and author of The Black Tax: The Cost of Being Black in America. In his book and presentations at Google, and several universities across the United States, Shawn examines the true cost of being Black in America. He outlines what factors impact the Black community and explains how you can help close the wealth gap. Everyone must listen to this episode. I hope this interview sparks powerful conversations, deep thought, and inspires you to build black wealth and make strides to level the economic playing field. In this episode you will learn: What is the Black Tax and how it's impacting your wealth How to identify unconscious vs. conscious bias Why hard work is not the key to success and what resources you really need Concrete ways you can close the wealth gap How to apply Shawn's PHD strategy to create jobs, capital, and thriving black communities, and so much more You can watch this interview with Shawn Rochester on youtube by clicking here. Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Go to Journeytolaunch.com/freedomsummit to join me at the Financial Freedom Summit in May Check out Shawn's talk at Google, which has had over 200,000 views and sparked a lot of conversations about the real cost of being Black in America. 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 Shawn Rochester: Website Twitter: @BlackTaxed Facebook:@Shawn.D.Rochester Instagram:@BlackTaxed Connect with me: Instagram: @journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Get on the Money Launch Club Waitlist

This week's Journey to Launch podcast episode features Anita Dhake, also known as Thriftygal. Creator of the blog The Power of Thrift, Anita, worked as a corporate attorney for several years. Then, one day she committed to her dream to retire early and live her best life. In one year she paid off $95,000 of student loan debt and started aggressively saving 85 to 95 percent of her income. By age 33, Anita was able to retire with over a half of million dollars in investments. For the last few years, Anita has been traveling the world and doing what makes her happy. On her blog, she shares stories about crossing items off her bucket list, her latest reads, and her daily successful habits. Previously featured in Forbes, Crain's Chicago Business, and the ABA Journal, Anita's has also been on television twice. Anita's FI story can be found in her book, Operation Enough! How to Retire Remarkably Early. In this episode you will learn: How to accelerate your path to financial freedom and early retirement The benefits of applying stoicism to your financial journey Several inspiring books you should read now It is about how much you make and how much you save Where to easily invest your money and watch it grow, and so much more Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Anita is an avid reader and below are a few great books we mentioned in the podcast episode. Operation Enough! How to Retire Remarkably Early by Anita Dhake Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence by Vicki Robin How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease by Michael Greger and Gene Stone The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How to Make Your Life Better (and Other People's Lives Better, Too) by Gretchen Rubin The Geometry of Wealth: How To Shape A Life Of Money And Meaning by Brian Portnoy A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine Vicki Robin has been on the Journey to Launch podcast. Check out her episode below: Your Money or Your Life: Transform Your Relationship With Money & Achieve Financial Independence W/ Vicki Robin 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. Go to Journeytolaunch.com/freedomsummit to join me at the Financial Freedom Summit in May! Also check out Grant and I Youtube channel, The Money Collective. To watch more, check out the channel and subscribe. Connect with Anita Dhake: Website Twitter: @PowerofThrift Facebook:@ThePowerofThrift Connect with me: Instagram: @journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Get on the Money Launch Club Waitlist

This week's Journey to Launch podcast episode features Anita Dhake, also known as Thriftygal. Creator of the blog The Power of Thrift, Anita, worked as a corporate attorney for several years. Then, one day she committed to her dream to retire early and live her best life. In one year she paid off $95,000 of student loan debt and started aggressively saving 85 to 95 percent of her income. By age 33, Anita was able to retire with over a half of million dollars in investments. For the last few years, Anita has been traveling the world and doing what makes her happy. On her blog, she shares stories about crossing items off her bucket list, her latest reads, and her daily successful habits. Previously featured in Forbes, Crain's Chicago Business, and the ABA Journal, Anita's has also been on television twice. Anita's FI story can be found in her book, Operation Enough! How to Retire Remarkably Early. In this episode you will learn: How to accelerate your path to financial freedom and early retirement The benefits of applying stoicism to your financial journey Several inspiring books you should read now It is about how much you make and how much you save Where to easily invest your money and watch it grow, and so much more Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Anita is an avid reader and below are a few great books we mentioned in the podcast episode. Operation Enough! How to Retire Remarkably Early by Anita Dhake Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence by Vicki Robin How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease by Michael Greger and Gene Stone The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How to Make Your Life Better (and Other People's Lives Better, Too) by Gretchen Rubin The Geometry of Wealth: How To Shape A Life Of Money And Meaning by Brian Portnoy A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine Vicki Robin has been on the Journey to Launch podcast. Check out her episode below: Your Money or Your Life: Transform Your Relationship With Money & Achieve Financial Independence W/ Vicki Robin 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. Go to Journeytolaunch.com/freedomsummit to join me at the Financial Freedom Summit in May! Also check out Grant and I Youtube channel, The Money Collective. To watch more, check out the channel and subscribe. Connect with Anita Dhake: Website Twitter: @PowerofThrift Facebook:@ThePowerofThrift Connect with me: Instagram: @journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Get on the Money Launch Club Waitlist

David Carlson is answering all your student loan questions on this week's episode of the Journey to Launch podcast. Previously featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Forbes, Slate, and NBC's KARE 11, David is a personal finance author and speaker. In this week's episode, David is discussing the truth and misconceptions about student loan debt, loan forgiveness programs, debt consolidation and more. In 2012, David launched his website Young Adult Money with a mission to help millennials earn more, save more, and live better lives. He recently started focusing on student loan debt because he and his wife had a combined balance of $100,000 after graduating college. David is on the path to becoming debt-free and is sharing his story and student loan debt advice with others along the way. In this episode you will learn: Several misconceptions about student loans The truth about student loan refinancing The good, bad, and ugly about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program How taxes and forgiveness of loan debt are related The pros and cons to Parent Plus Loans, and more Get a custom student loan payoff plan by clicking here and check out what my buddy Travis over at Student Loan Planner has to offer

David Carlson is answering all your student loan questions on this week's episode of the Journey to Launch podcast. Previously featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Forbes, Slate, and NBC's KARE 11, David is a personal finance author and speaker. In this week's episode, David is discussing the truth and misconceptions about student loan debt, loan forgiveness programs, debt consolidation and more. In 2012, David launched his website Young Adult Money with a mission to help millennials earn more, save more, and live better lives. He recently started focusing on student loan debt because he and his wife had a combined balance of $100,000 after graduating college. David is on the path to becoming debt-free and is sharing his story and student loan debt advice with others along the way. In this episode you will learn: Several misconceptions about student loans The truth about student loan refinancing The good, bad, and ugly about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program How taxes and forgiveness of loan debt are related The pros and cons to Parent Plus Loans, and more Get a custom student loan payoff plan by clicking here and check out what my buddy Travis over at Student Loan Planner has to offer

Kyara and Khalil Uqdah of Charm City Buyers started investing in real estate right after college in September 2012. Their first property was in a depressed neighborhood in Connecticut. However, with a vision, networking, and creative financing they turned that one property, which they still own, into over 20 properties in Baltimore, Maryland. They have literally bought a block and are now focused on community development, mentoring other real estate investors, and building an empire and generational wealth. In this week's podcast episode both tell their story of humble, hustle beginnings, and share tips on how to get into real estate investing, set goals, and run a business that thrives. Kyara and Khalil have built a results-based system that allows them and others to experience success in real estate investing. They retired from the rat race a few years ago and now enjoy life as full-time entrepreneurs and loving parents. In this episode you will learn: Several ways to get started and build your real estate empire How to creatively buy your first investment property What's life like pursuing entrepreneurship with your partner The importance of relationships and networking in real estate investing Steps you can take to exit the rat race and become an entrepreneur Why real estate isn't for everyone and so much more Learn how to use Other People's Money in real estate through Charm City Buyer's course, OPM Is King Introductory Check out Charm City Buyer's mentorship program - the NEXTGen Accelerator, Use code "Journey2launch" for a discount. For those who are looking for tons of guidance, full cycle and detailed information on investing and are interested in Baltimore - this is a great way to join a community of folks accomplishing their real estate goals! Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: 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 Kyara and Khalil: Website Instagram:@CharmCityBuyers Twitter: @CharmCityBuyers Facebook:@CharmCityBuyers Youtube Connect with me: Instagram: @journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Get on the Money Launch Club Waitlist

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

I made it through my first year as a full-time entrepreneur! Check out solo episode 132 where I dive into the business side of Journey to Launch and explain why I spent most of this year investing in myself. As I reflect on 2019, I share more about the financial impact of going from a corporate job to full-time entrepreneur, and how we prepared for this moment. I also report how I tripled Journey to Launch's income since last year. Lastly, the episode wouldn't be complete without highlights from this year and a sneak peek about what's next for Journey to Launch. In this episode you will learn: The importance of investing in YOU How to increase your business income as an entrepreneur Methods to help you to reflect and how to say no How planning and budgeting can maximize your finances and your time My realities of being a full-time entrepreneur The real deal about business income, expenses, taxes, and so much more Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: 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