A communal space for those enrolled in the 30-day money mindset challenge to share their reflections on their biggest struggles, successes, opportunities, and barriers regarding money.
Please support others who are sharing their journey and always be respectful.
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Day 4: When I look at my bank account I feel... Proud. It has been a long road from where I was financially in 2010. Today I have enough financial resources to provide for the people I love, back then I did not
Day 21 - I am proud of the fact that I earned full scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate school. I feel fortunate that I have been able to put my future on a more solid footing without a massive load of debt.
Day 18 - I don't think that the wealthy are immoral or evil, but I also don't envy them. Exceptionally wealthy people seem to also be exceptionally obsessed with something (i.e. Elon Musk's 120-hour work week), and I've always sought a more balanced life. The most successful people I know earn their money in honest ways, but they all seem to have a hunger for more that I don't possess.
Day 15 - "A job determines your salary, but you determine your income." I heard this in a Breakfast Club interview with Black Enterprise Magazine a few years ago and it has stuck with me ever since.
Day 14 - My expenses are currently a bit more than my income, which has me concerned about my long-term security. In the next 30 days I can get rid of subscriptions, cut some of my budget, and seek out some freelance work.
Day 13 - Automated savings, retirement, bill pay; employer contributions to 401k; student loan balance is less than my salary; HSA covers my medical expenses; 4-figure emergency fund.
Day 12 - I'm pretty balanced with my saving and spending. I don't like having to think about money, so I typically automate saving, investing, debt payments, etc. I'm focusing on making more money so that I can do more of those things, while also putting more money towards things I enjoy.
Day 11 - Being debt free is not the same as building wealth. If I had a time machine, I'd go back to my kid self and tell her to put some of her allowance towards stocks/bonds.
DAY EIGHT : My biggest fear when it comes to money, is not
being able to achieve my goals. There’s so much I want to do & experience! I’ve been homeless, had nothing, slept in streets & parks so I’m not afraid of that; Been to jail & had nothing there too. It’s survivable. But I want to realise my dreams now ❣️
Day 6 - I don't know if I regret any financial decision I've made. I'm not really impulsive when it comes to money and I research a lot of stuff so I go into things with open eyes. There are things I wouldn't do again (ex. lease a car), but those were decisions that made sense at the time given the information/means I had.
Day 5 - My best purchase was the debt I took on to live in LA for three years while I finished my dual master's degree programs (received full tuition scholarships for both). Not only was I able to finish my degrees and put myself in a good professional position, but I was able to obtain the physical/mental therapy that I needed at the time while making friendships that I hope will be lifelong. I don't like student debt, but I don't regret taking it on to further my development.
I see more going out than coming in, so I have to be more diligent in earning more. I struggle a lot with time management and perfectionism, so I end up wasting a lot of time during the day that could be spent being more productive. My habits are improving, but there's more to do.
DAY FIVE : My favourite ways to spend are always Gifts & Travel. I also get warm fuzzies when I’m able to treat my Self with things I love & need, so satisfying!
DAY FOUR : I’m so grateful for what I have in the bank right now, proud of my progress these past 3 weeks, & thrilled with the recent purchases I’ve made too. This is just the beginning!
DAY THREE : My relationship with Money is the most consistent one I have, tbh!!! Money’s always here for me, a constant presence that wants the same things I want; always helping, encouraging, soothing, cheering me on towards More & Better!
DAY TWO : My idea of success, is generating wealth by simply being Me; enjoyably creating multiple automated sources of constant income that are interesting & fun to build/maintain, and helpful/valuable to others!
DAY ONE : I’m improving my personal financial systems & habits to organise my mind & life better, to reach my lifestyle goals faster, so that I can enjoy so much more!
Day 3 - What is my relationship with money - "Good but could be better."
I don't really love or hate money; I mostly view money as a means to an end. I've always invested and saved, but never as much as I'd like and I've never tested my capacity to earn money outside of a formal job. Now that I know what kind of life I want to live, I have to redesign my life to build multiple income streams for myself.
Day 2: I will be successful with money when I have complete control over how I spend my time. Ideally, I would work from morning to early afternoon (consulting, writing, etc.) and would spend my afternoon/evening running errands, working out, volunteering, and/or spending time with family/loved ones.
Day 1: I want to learn how to make money independent of a full-time job so that I can get out of debt faster and have more freedom to do the things I want to do (travel, buy better food, pay for a physical trainer, afford better spa/body treatments).
My husbands car payment. It is quite high because after losing his job a few years ago, he panicked and got rid of his better, more expensive vehicle and traded it in on a cheaper vehicle. Except he now owes more than this car is worth.
If we had an emergency fund back then he would not have panicked and his nicer, more beneficial for our lifestyle vehicle would have been paid off by now. We have a plan for paying this down and are building an emergency fund to avoid this scenario in future.
Day 6: the worst purchase I ever made was my first car. My boyfriend at the time convinced me it was good idea to take out a student loan from the bank to buy it. I loved the car, but of course it ended up engine issues and cost me a bunch of money and I now had a loan I had to pay back.
Day 5: Best purchase I ever made was my nursing degree. It provided me with job security, financial security, defined benefit pension and a job I love that allows me opportunities to continue learning and advancing.
I am starting the 30 day challenge today. My name is Monique and I am a Registered Nurse from BC, Canada. I have only recently started learning how to manage finances but was happy to realize I had made some good choices over the last 20 years that have not put me too far behind.
I am excited to learn more. I have already found The Financial Freedom Equation book quite helpful and relevant to me. I am excited for The Rational Investor.
Day 13: I am fortunate to have many financial advantages working in my favor. A great job, a spouse who makes a great income and a business that is growing and which I am passionate about.
Day 12: My money personality is definitely to be a saver. In fact, one of the things I still struggle with (although I have made great progress) is allowing myself to spend money.
Day 11: What I will pass onto my kids about money... That they learn early in life to pursue their passion and learn how to make a living doing what they love.
Day 4: Describe your relationship with money in 7 words or less... Improving more every single day.... I've come along way in the past 10 years and look to be a bit better every day.
I'll help break the ice my running through the 30- day challenge myself.
Starting off with a quick intro. I'm Ben, from Waterloo Ontario. I am the creator of this publication, a soon to be 2X personal finance author and am so excited to hear from everyone else and engage in some great dialogue amount our relationship with money.
Day 19 - Becoming wealthy would make me more cautious. Whether I got a windfall or earned a lot through various endeavors, I'd want to make sure my wealth isn't public knowledge so that "old friends" and "distant cousins" wouldn't start popping out of the woodwork. I'd want to make sure my and my family's long-term finances were covered, and that I can set up donations to the organizations I care about.
Once those items were checked off, I'd set my life up to have more regular time off, hire consistent personal training and nutritional help, and go out/travel more. I'd want to use the money to buy back my time so that I can spend my life doing other things besides work.
Please feel free to engage and support others in this discussion thread.
Pick up a copy of the 30-day money mindset journal here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7PZB6M4?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
Feel free to check out our resources page for financial education resources and other wealth building tools: https://benlefort.substack.com/p/wealth-building-tools-and-resources?r=r7ti9&s=w&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Day 4: When I look at my bank account I feel... Proud. It has been a long road from where I was financially in 2010. Today I have enough financial resources to provide for the people I love, back then I did not
Day 21 - I am proud of the fact that I earned full scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate school. I feel fortunate that I have been able to put my future on a more solid footing without a massive load of debt.
Day 18 - I don't think that the wealthy are immoral or evil, but I also don't envy them. Exceptionally wealthy people seem to also be exceptionally obsessed with something (i.e. Elon Musk's 120-hour work week), and I've always sought a more balanced life. The most successful people I know earn their money in honest ways, but they all seem to have a hunger for more that I don't possess.
Well said Des!
Thanks! I'm really enjoying this challenge; I like getting to the bottom of my money psychology. The workbook has been really helpful.
Day 15 - "A job determines your salary, but you determine your income." I heard this in a Breakfast Club interview with Black Enterprise Magazine a few years ago and it has stuck with me ever since.
Oh. I love that quote.
Day 14 - My expenses are currently a bit more than my income, which has me concerned about my long-term security. In the next 30 days I can get rid of subscriptions, cut some of my budget, and seek out some freelance work.
Day 13 - Automated savings, retirement, bill pay; employer contributions to 401k; student loan balance is less than my salary; HSA covers my medical expenses; 4-figure emergency fund.
Those are all awesome things that add up to a fantastic foundation to build you finances on!
Day 12 - I'm pretty balanced with my saving and spending. I don't like having to think about money, so I typically automate saving, investing, debt payments, etc. I'm focusing on making more money so that I can do more of those things, while also putting more money towards things I enjoy.
Day 11 - Being debt free is not the same as building wealth. If I had a time machine, I'd go back to my kid self and tell her to put some of her allowance towards stocks/bonds.
Day 8 - Not being able to build wealth for myself or earn money outside of my full-time job.
DAY NINE : I had an appt with a Financial Counsellor today 😀 They’re a great team to help me get my ish together right now, it’s a good start!
Amazing! let us know if you found it helpful once you are through the process, lots of others would probably be interested.
DAY EIGHT : My biggest fear when it comes to money, is not
being able to achieve my goals. There’s so much I want to do & experience! I’ve been homeless, had nothing, slept in streets & parks so I’m not afraid of that; Been to jail & had nothing there too. It’s survivable. But I want to realise my dreams now ❣️
Day 6 - I don't know if I regret any financial decision I've made. I'm not really impulsive when it comes to money and I research a lot of stuff so I go into things with open eyes. There are things I wouldn't do again (ex. lease a car), but those were decisions that made sense at the time given the information/means I had.
Day 5 - My best purchase was the debt I took on to live in LA for three years while I finished my dual master's degree programs (received full tuition scholarships for both). Not only was I able to finish my degrees and put myself in a good professional position, but I was able to obtain the physical/mental therapy that I needed at the time while making friendships that I hope will be lifelong. I don't like student debt, but I don't regret taking it on to further my development.
That's amazing Des. Beautiful, thanks for sharing that. Taking on debt to go to grad school was also one of my top 3 best financial decisions.
DAY SIX : Six months ago, I accidentally purchased a $2000 Crypto course. Lol. Still haven’t even logged in!
Day 4 - Okay, but tense.
I see more going out than coming in, so I have to be more diligent in earning more. I struggle a lot with time management and perfectionism, so I end up wasting a lot of time during the day that could be spent being more productive. My habits are improving, but there's more to do.
DAY FIVE : My favourite ways to spend are always Gifts & Travel. I also get warm fuzzies when I’m able to treat my Self with things I love & need, so satisfying!
Same! Where on your list of places to travel you want to get to next?
The list is endless; I visit Bali a lot as it’s close to me. Bangkok is next up! I’m excited 😁
Sounds awesome!
DAY FOUR : I’m so grateful for what I have in the bank right now, proud of my progress these past 3 weeks, & thrilled with the recent purchases I’ve made too. This is just the beginning!
DAY THREE : My relationship with Money is the most consistent one I have, tbh!!! Money’s always here for me, a constant presence that wants the same things I want; always helping, encouraging, soothing, cheering me on towards More & Better!
DAY TWO : My idea of success, is generating wealth by simply being Me; enjoyably creating multiple automated sources of constant income that are interesting & fun to build/maintain, and helpful/valuable to others!
DAY ONE : I’m improving my personal financial systems & habits to organise my mind & life better, to reach my lifestyle goals faster, so that I can enjoy so much more!
Day 3 - What is my relationship with money - "Good but could be better."
I don't really love or hate money; I mostly view money as a means to an end. I've always invested and saved, but never as much as I'd like and I've never tested my capacity to earn money outside of a formal job. Now that I know what kind of life I want to live, I have to redesign my life to build multiple income streams for myself.
That's a very healthy way to approach money. Thanks for sharing this, Des.
Day 2: I will be successful with money when I have complete control over how I spend my time. Ideally, I would work from morning to early afternoon (consulting, writing, etc.) and would spend my afternoon/evening running errands, working out, volunteering, and/or spending time with family/loved ones.
I love this. It's actually very similar to how I plan on scheduling my days in 2023.
A source of freedom and a source of arguments
Day 1: I want to learn how to make money independent of a full-time job so that I can get out of debt faster and have more freedom to do the things I want to do (travel, buy better food, pay for a physical trainer, afford better spa/body treatments).
Day 14: what money issue keeps me up at night?
My husbands car payment. It is quite high because after losing his job a few years ago, he panicked and got rid of his better, more expensive vehicle and traded it in on a cheaper vehicle. Except he now owes more than this car is worth.
If we had an emergency fund back then he would not have panicked and his nicer, more beneficial for our lifestyle vehicle would have been paid off by now. We have a plan for paying this down and are building an emergency fund to avoid this scenario in future.
That's great you're working a plan to avoid this kind of situation in the future. This is a great example of the benefits of an emergency fund.
not disciplined, dont have
Day 6: the worst purchase I ever made was my first car. My boyfriend at the time convinced me it was good idea to take out a student loan from the bank to buy it. I loved the car, but of course it ended up engine issues and cost me a bunch of money and I now had a loan I had to pay back.
Day 5: Best purchase I ever made was my nursing degree. It provided me with job security, financial security, defined benefit pension and a job I love that allows me opportunities to continue learning and advancing.
Work you love, provides major value, steady paycheck and benefits. Sounds like a homerun use of money, checks all the boxes!
Day 4: When I look at my bank accounts I feel Hopeful. I have been working hard to get things on track and it’s showing finally.
Love to hear this answer!
Day 3: My relation ship with money- Less scary and more exciting than ever!
I am on track to making my money improve my life not lead me to more debt.
I am starting the 30 day challenge today. My name is Monique and I am a Registered Nurse from BC, Canada. I have only recently started learning how to manage finances but was happy to realize I had made some good choices over the last 20 years that have not put me too far behind.
I am excited to learn more. I have already found The Financial Freedom Equation book quite helpful and relevant to me. I am excited for The Rational Investor.
Hey Monique, welcome to the 30-day challenge! Sounds like you are off to a great start!
Day 13: I am fortunate to have many financial advantages working in my favor. A great job, a spouse who makes a great income and a business that is growing and which I am passionate about.
Day 12: My money personality is definitely to be a saver. In fact, one of the things I still struggle with (although I have made great progress) is allowing myself to spend money.
Day 11: What I will pass onto my kids about money... That they learn early in life to pursue their passion and learn how to make a living doing what they love.
Day 8: My biggest financial fear is that I will never allow myself to stop working do damn much!
Day 5: The best purchase I ever made was tied to the best decision I ever made which was a wedding ring for my wife.
Day 4: Describe your relationship with money in 7 words or less... Improving more every single day.... I've come along way in the past 10 years and look to be a bit better every day.
Day 2: I will be successful with money if… I can spend days doing work I love, without worrying how I'll pay the bills.
Day 1: I want to improve my finances so that I can spend less time working and more time with my son.
I'll help break the ice my running through the 30- day challenge myself.
Starting off with a quick intro. I'm Ben, from Waterloo Ontario. I am the creator of this publication, a soon to be 2X personal finance author and am so excited to hear from everyone else and engage in some great dialogue amount our relationship with money.
Day 19 - Becoming wealthy would make me more cautious. Whether I got a windfall or earned a lot through various endeavors, I'd want to make sure my wealth isn't public knowledge so that "old friends" and "distant cousins" wouldn't start popping out of the woodwork. I'd want to make sure my and my family's long-term finances were covered, and that I can set up donations to the organizations I care about.
Once those items were checked off, I'd set my life up to have more regular time off, hire consistent personal training and nutritional help, and go out/travel more. I'd want to use the money to buy back my time so that I can spend my life doing other things besides work.