Rich AF

What if the biggest barriers to financial freedom aren't external, but living inside your head?

1. Break free from inherited money myths

Our financial habits often stem from deeply rooted family beliefs that don't always serve us well. Just like mannerisms we inherit, our approach to money is shaped by parents and upbringing. These learned patterns, rooted in fear or misinformation, may quietly hold us back from achieving financial independence.

The author recalls how her father misguidedly discouraged her from applying for Federal Student Aid, fearing it would hurt her college chances. This decision cost her financial help she could have accessed. Through this anecdote, the importance of questioning learned financial behaviors becomes clear: they're not always aligned with reality.

Revisiting inherited money myths gives us the power to rewrite our financial narrative. By letting go of counterproductive practices, like hoarding money or spending to impress others, we can align our habits with wealth-building strategies that prioritize long-term growth.

Examples

• Fear of loss keeps people from investing, keeping money idle instead of putting it to work.
• Buying expensive items to "keep up appearances" often creates unnecessary debt.
• Complaining about money but avoiding meaningful actions limits the ability to grow wealth.

2. Wealth grows with a mindset shift

Becoming wealthy isn’t about simply cutting back expenses; it’s about unlearning a scarcity mindset and embracing financial possibilities. Too often, people focus on limiting themselves instead of creating opportunities for earning more.

The author challenges conventional wisdom about scrimping and saving by turning the spotlight on earning potential. She learned this lesson early during a job promoting clubs, where she maximized her earnings not by cutting costs elsewhere but by creatively leveraging her social network. This marked the start of her realization that income expansion trumps penny-pinching.

This shift in perspective exposes a path forward: building wealth comes from earning consistently while making smart spending decisions, rather than fixating on limiting expenditures.

Examples

• Using low-paying gigs for career breakthrough opportunities instead of rejecting them.
• Finding work environments, like BuzzFeed, that recognize and reward talent and effort.
• Earning $5 per club attendee turned a menial gig into a sustainable weekend income.

3. Understand your value and demand fair compensation

Recognizing your worth is the first step to building financial stability. Money grows when you know what you bring to the table and advocate for your rightful earnings in supportive work environments.

The author outlines her career evolution, from club promoter to trader at J.P. Morgan, emphasizing the importance of being in spaces where hard work is valued. She underscores that while being recognized at work matters, it’s equally important to ensure opportunities exist for growth. This realization helped her transition into roles that aligned with her interests, ambitions, and financial goals.

Advocating for oneself doesn’t stop at choosing suitable roles; it extends to optimizing opportunities, whether by seeking promotions or exploring side ventures like TikTok.

Examples

• Asking for a raise or switching to a job that pays better aligned with your skills.
• Networking to learn about career openings that offer upward mobility.
• Utilizing skills outside traditional career avenues, like gaining revenue from social media.

4. Plan your budget like an adventure, not a restriction

Many people think budgeting is a restrictive activity, but the author flips this narrative. A budget isn’t about saying goodbye to fun; it’s a roadmap for spending in line with what brings you happiness.

A budget that works reflects your priorities, including space for joy, spontaneity, and financial preparedness. This isn’t just about cutting lattes or entertainment—it’s about balancing essentials, flexibility, and personal wants without guilt. This approach turns planning into an act of self-care and ensures long-term stability.

Recognizing opportunity costs helps you shift spending toward what truly matters to you. Whether it’s a pricey meal or an impromptu vacation, understanding the trade-offs enhances overall financial satisfaction.

Examples

• Spending $15 on fast food might feel wasteful compared to saving for a future goal.
• Allocating funds for entertainment encourages guilt-free enjoyment.
• Auditing and categorizing expenses (red for needs, yellow for adaptable needs, green for wants) clarifies what you value.

5. Spend for personal satisfaction, not societal pressures

Caring about appearances often leads people to spend money in ways that don’t add actual value to their lives. True financial freedom comes from prioritizing personal values over external validation.

The author warns against falling into the trap of buying flashy cars, trendy clothing, or fancy electronics to impress others. Such expenses often create debt and bring temporary satisfaction at most. Instead, aligning spending with internal goals leads to fulfillment and long-term contentment.

Adjusting spending to focus on intrinsic happiness balances day-to-day enjoyment with saving for meaningful experiences or life milestones.

Examples

• Foregoing brand-name labels unless they truly bring you joy or utility.
• Spending vacations with loved ones instead of competing for luxury getaways.
• Leasing an economical car instead of buying one above your means to impress.

6. Learn to invest wisely

Wealthy people understand that hoarding money is the enemy of growth. Investing isn’t optional when it comes to creating financial independence.

The author highlights that keeping cash idle—whether to avoid risk or due to a lack of knowledge—misses an opportunity to let your savings work harder through financial strategies like stocks, real estate, or passive income streams. Investments grow wealth over time while undirected savings are simply eroded by inflation.

Even modest investments accumulate over the years. The power of compound interest, for example, makes small contributions grow exponentially over decades.

Examples

• Investing small amounts monthly in an index fund can yield high returns with consistency.
• Learning from financially savvy peers about stock market basics.
• Partnering in a low-risk real estate venture like a shared rental property.

7. Shift from scarcity to abundance thinking

Breaking free from financial pessimism starts with identifying and overturning psychological obstacles to wealth creation. This puts the focus on what’s possible rather than what feels unattainable.

A scarcity mindset traps people into seeing wealth as unreachable or limited. Wealthy individuals reject this, believing the pie is big enough for everyone. Shift your financial beliefs by practicing self-affirmation and taking small but consistent steps toward building confidence.

This mindset reshapes how you approach wealth, encouraging risk-taking and long-term vision over short-term fears.

Examples

• Affirm your value before starting a salary negotiation.
• Reframe expensive purchases as investments in happiness or health instead of losses.
• Prioritize long-term investment goals over temporary spending struggles.

8. Build intentional financial systems

Financial systems, like plans or budgets, act as roadmaps for success. Crafting them thoughtfully ensures they align with your life vision.

A personalized financial system isn’t rigidly focused on restriction. Instead, it acknowledges your habits and attempts to transform them into productive practices. Reviewing and tweaking these systems over time keeps them effective as your life changes.

Crafting financial systems that include room for inevitable surprises, indulgences, and savings turns your plan into a sustainable tool for stability and growth.

Examples

• Adjusting budget percentages when receiving new income.
• Keeping an emergency fund for unexpected veterinary bills or repairs.
• Saving for guilty pleasures like concerts or hobbies, all built into monthly strategies.

9. Don’t get stuck in toxic workplaces

The culture of your workplace determines both your happiness and your ability to grow professionally and financially. If your job stunts growth, look elsewhere.

Toxic workplaces not only prevent you from earning more but can lessen your interest in trying. If leadership fails to promote high performers or creates a negative work atmosphere, the cost is lost motivation and growth opportunities.

The author encourages moving toward environments that reward efforts and nurture professional ambitions.

Examples

• Leaving low-paying jobs for companies with scalable pay structures.
• Seeking mentors in organizations with clear professional growth channels.
• Balancing mental health and wages when comparing new job offers.

Takeaways

1. Reframe your financial habits by questioning inherited beliefs and embracing a mindset of abundance.
2. Recognize your worth, explore new opportunities, and position yourself in roles that value your contributions.
3. Craft a flexible budget aligned with your priorities, balancing long-term goals and daily joys.