Own Your Money

Contents
Introduction
The Hardest Years of My Life Were the Best Thing
That Happened to Me
Lesson #1: Once the Bills Start, They Never Stop
Lesson #2: If You're Serious About Saving, You Must
Prioritize and Make Sacrifices
Lesson #3: Your Life is a Result of Your Choices
Lesson #4: You Can Find Happiness Working a 9 to 5 Job
Chapter 1: Get Organized, Get Started
Pull the Blinds Back: What is Your Financial
Situation Right Now?
Your Financial Snapshot
Phase 1: Laying the Groundwork
Phase 2: Assess Your Cash Flow
Phase 3: Your Monthly Output
Phase 4: The Details
Financial Framework for Success
Net Worth: The Most Important Measure of Your Finances
What is Net Worth?
Ways to Increase Your Net Worth
The Bottom Line
Chapter 2: Budget Is Not a Bad Word
Budget Myth-busting
Building a Foolproof Budget
Step 1: Zero-based Budgeting
Step 2: The Three-bucket Budget
Step 3: 50/30/20 Budgeting
Budgeting Tools
Budgeting Spreadsheets
Budgeting Apps
Chapter 3: How to Set and Reach Your Financial Goals
Setting Financial Goals the Right Way
SMART Goal-setting Method
Specific Goals
Measurable Goals
Achievable Goals
Relevant Goals
Timely Goals
Incorporate Your Goals into Your Plan
Prioritize Your Goals
Order of Operations
Saving Beyond the Order of Operations
Financial Goals Examples
Chapter 4: Spend Your Money on Things That Matter
Stop Spending Money on Sh*t You Don't Care About
1. Overspending
2. Treating Your Credit Card Like Free Money
3. Emotional Shopping
4. Lifestyle Inflation
5. Avoidance
The Benefits of Conscious Spending
1. You Don't Have to Focus on Spending Less Money
2. You Can Buy Things You Actually Want
3. You Will Have Money to Fund Your Goals
4. You Will Feel More Financially Confident
Chapter 5: Investing? Never Heard of Her
Saving Isn't Enough
Compound Interest: The Eighth Wonder of the World
Set Yourself Up to Invest
Layer 1: Employer 401(k) + Match
Layer 2: Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
Layer 3: Taxable Investment Account
Optimize Your Strategy with Automation
Investment Types
Stocks: An Individual Flower
Mutual Fund: A Fancy Floral Arrangement
ETF (Exchange Traded Fund): A Bouquet
Bonds: A Gift Card to the Flower Shop
Do You Need a Financial Advisor?
Chapter 6: Success is Hidden in Your Routines
So You Want to Change Your Life?
Whip Your Assets Into Shape
Financial Routines
Weekly Money Review
Payday Routine
Monthly Money Review
Signature Money Management System
Money Mapping
Money Flow
Accountability Plan
Financial Self-care
Chapter 7: Career Conundrum
Your Dream Job Doesn't Exist
What is Your Definition of Success?
Task-tracking at Work
Track Your Daily and Weekly Responsibilities and the
Value-add for Each
Implement Monthly Career Reflections
Identify and Evaluate Your Accomplishments
on a Set Cadence
Learning vs. Earning
Navigating Career Pivots
Phase 1: Determine What You're Looking For
Phase 2: Change With Confidence
Chapter 8: Increase Your Earning Potential
Asking for a Raise or Promotion
Preparation for a Promotion
Timing is Everything: Performance Conversations
But Wait! What Not to Do
Changing Jobs
Side Hustles
Find Your Side Hustle
Balancing a Side Hustle with a 9 to 5 Job
Closing Thoughts
Live Life Outside the Spreadsheet
Don't Be Afraid to Spend Money to Make Money
Say Yes to Life (Thanks to a Financial Plan)
What is Financial Success to You?
Resources
Acknowledgments
Index
About the Author