Build Your Money Team
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Most of us didn't have formal personal finance lessons growing up. Whether we realize it or not, our money views are established at a young age. Either your parents taught the lessons, or you picked them up from their conversations and habits. Most of us carry these lessons into adulthood, and there is a huge opportunity for growth.
Becoming financially literate is like learning any other language. It can seem intimidating at first, but can be learned. One of the best ways to jump start that journey is to build a money team.
An important part of a financial journey is surrounding yourself with people who will encourage growth. This community can be in person or virtual. I have a money team, and it's the best way I've found to keep myself on track with my goals and continue to grow.
A Professional Money Coach or Certified Financial Trainer
For a long time, professional money services were only available for wealthy. folks To meet with a traditional financial advisor, many require you have $250,000 in assets just to pull up a chair at the table. Now, there are so many amazing people out there helping everyday folks become financially fit.
The Financial Gym is my absolute favorite if you're looking for one-on-one financial coaching. I became a member at the end of 2019 and am still an active member today. The first time I walked into The Financial Gym, I had never looked at my net worth as a whole. I knew I had a LOT of debt and was in bad shape, why even bother looking at the whole picture? I was just trying to pay rent the next month and would figure out the rest when I made more money. So much has changed since then. I now work for multiple financial services companies professionally, write the notes for personal finance podcasts, and feel so much more confident about money. I love talking about it, and helping others on their financial fitness journeys. Schedule a complimentary consultation with The Financial Gym today!
A Tax Services Professional
For many folks, taxes are scary. You can scroll ten seconds on Instagram or TikTok before you hear small business owners joking about not wanting to be sent to jail for taxes. While these jokes are cute, I think the way we talk about these things even jokingly is pretty important. The IRS is not sending you to jail. If anything, they're going to send you a series of letters before it gets too serious. That being said if taxes make you anxious, I highly recommend working with a tax professional. To be transparent, I work for a tax services company, but was a client before I got hired. Not everyone needs a tax professional. Depending on the work you do and where you live, something like TurboTax is a totally great option. If you're a freelancer, small business owner, have a side hustle, or are going through a life change, like a move or a marriage, there are benefits of working with a professional. If you think about taxes like a video game, it's one you play once a year, verses the hundreds of times the pros do. That, plus the only laws congress ever cares to pass usually affect taxes, so there's always new stuff to learn. Check out brasstaxes.com to learn more about working with our team!
Your Dang Self w/ Some Podcast Pals, Books, and Blogs
If you're not ready to work with a professional or talk with others, that's totally okay! That night I saw Shannon McLay speak, I started listening to her podcast and couldn't get enough. I followed the guests and started listening to and reading more personal finance creators. Only then, was I ready to join The Gym as a member. For me, a podcast money team was a great place to start. I love listening to personal finance podcasts, books, and read lots of blogs and newsletters.
Here are some of my absolute FAVORITE personal finance podcasts. If you want to dip your toes in: Martinis and Your Money I Will Teach You to Be Rich Brown Ambition Podcast And these are my favorite personal finance books: (links support both myself & independent bookstores)
Get Good with Money by Tiffany Aliche - Buy from Bookshop.org or listen on Libro.fm
I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi - Buy from Bookshop.org or listen on Libro.fm
Watch Get Smart With Money on Netflix
Leave a comment, or email me a thehungryartistny@gmail.com if you are looking for someone to join your money team or just want to chat about personal finance with a pal.
