Journey To Launch

Journey To Launch

Jamila Souffrant

49 minutes 55 seconds

Episode 371: Following Your Passions & Navigating Airbnb Success by Building Unique Homes w/ Whitney Hansen
After paying off $30,000 of debt in 10 months, paying only $472 for her MBA, and buying her first home at 19, Whitney Hansen discovered her love for teaching others how to get better with their money. She travels frequently, teaches college students about personal finance as an Adjunct Professor, and tests side hustles for fun.

Whitney’s most recent side hustle includes unconventional real estate investments of building a geodesic dome and a flower pot Airbnb. We chat about the creative approaches to finding and developing unique properties, as well as the financial aspects of these projects and how to navigate the Airbnb business successfully.

In this episode you will learn:
- Why personal finances must be in order before investing in real estate
- The importance of understanding local regulations, seeking professional help, and creating accurate cost estimates during the planning phase.
- The need to consider multiple revenue streams when investing in short-term rentals
- Why property owners should manage their own properties rather than use property managers and much more!
Check out photos of Whitney's Cascade Dome and Idaho Flower Pot Airbnb at https://journeytolaunch.com/episode371

Other Links Mentioned in episode:
- AirDNA.co
- Listen to Whitney's first interview on the Journey to Launch Podcast, How To Become A Money Nerd With Whitney Hansen, here.
- Get your copy of my book: Your Journey To Financial Freedom
- Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review!
- Get The Budget Bootcamp for FREE
- Check out my personal website here.
- 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!
- 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.
- What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here!
Connect with Whitney:
Connect with me:
24 April 2024, 9:00 am
50 minutes 10 seconds

Episode 370: Paying Off $102K of Student Loans & Buying a House in NYC on a Teacher’s Salary w/ Melissa Jean-Baptiste
Melissa Jean-Baptiste, financial educator and author of "So This Is Why I'm Broke” is a first-generation Haitian American and former NYC high school teacher. Melissa joins us this week to recount her journey of paying off $102,000 in student loans and buying her first home, all on a teacher's salary. As the founder of Millennial In Debt, she creates a shame-free digital platform dedicated to helping Millennials and Gen Z restructure their relationships with money, obtain financial freedom, build generational wealth and become future millionaires.

In this episode, we discuss:
- How Melissa’s student loans grew from graduating with $50K owed to $80K in 3 years due to an interest-only payment plan she didn't fully understand and how she successfully paid it all off in 2018 through selling her teaching lesson plans as a side hustle.
- Her venture into homeownership and the challenges encountered during the home buying process. Melissa underlines the importance of obtaining an independent home inspection alongside the bank's appraisal.
- How she transitioned from teaching to dedicating herself entirely to content creation and entrepreneurship within her "zone of genius".
- The significance of having a supportive community, both online and offline, to navigate significant life and career transitions effectively + much more!
Other Links Mentioned in episode:
- Get your copy of my book: Your Journey To Financial Freedom
- Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review!
- Get The Budget Bootcamp for FREE
- Check out my personal website here.
- 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!
- 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.
- What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here!
Connect with Melissa:
Connect with me:
17 April 2024, 9:00 am
48 minutes 39 seconds

Episode 369: Setting Financial Boundaries with Family & Maintaining Healthy Relationships w/ Gigi Gonzalez
Back on the podcast this week is Giovanna "Gigi" Gonzalez, financial educator, influencer, founder of The First Gen Mentor, and author of Cultura & Cash. Gigi discusses how to set financial boundaries with family as a first generation immigrant using her Quiero y Puedo framework which stands for "I want, I can'' in Spanish, by first asking yourself if you truly want to provide financial support and if you actually have the financial ability to help. GiGi shares examples of how she has set financial boundaries with her family and emphasizes being comfortable saying "no" to requests, even if it means being seen as the "black sheep.”

In this episode you will learn:
- How you can set financial boundaries with family but still be supportive in other ways
- How to manage different financial priorities with a spouse such as turning to couples counseling to understand each other’s “why” around money.
- Why gifting money you can afford is best rather than loaning money to a family member to avoid straining relationships if money isn’t repaid
- Tips if you’re wanting to write a book or launch a big project + much more!
Enter for your chance to win a copy of Cultura and Cash by Giovanna Gonzalez. The giveaway will be open from April 10th 2024- April 15th 2024. Three winners will be announced on April 16th! (must be 18+ & a US resident to enter). Go to journeytolaunch.com/win to enter.

Other Links Mentioned in episode:
- Check out Gigi’s book, Cultura and Cash
- Get your copy of my book: Your Journey To Financial Freedom
- Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review!
- Get The Budget Bootcamp for FREE
- Check out my personal website here.
- 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!
- 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.
- What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here!
Connect with Gigi:
- Website: TheFirstGenMentor.com
- Instagram:@GigiTheFirstGenMentor
Connect with me:
10 April 2024, 9:00 am
45 minutes 39 seconds

Episode 368: Save Money, Reduce Food Waste & Eat Healthier w/ Carleigh Bodrug
Carleigh Bodrug is the CEO and Founder of PlantYou, a New York Times Bestselling cookbook author and self-taught plant-based chef. Carleigh founded PlantYou in 2016 after the World Health Organization announced that red and processed meat were now considered Group 1 and Group 2 Carcinogens which was especially shocking as Carleigh grew up on a “meat and potatoes” diet. With little-to-no cooking skills, and a tiny bachelor apartment kitchen, Carleigh started experimenting with plants. She began cooking vegan meals by simply replacing the meat in her favorite childhood recipes with plants. Carleigh's mission is to help people to save money, reduce food waste and eat healthier than they ever have before.

In this conversation, we discuss:
- Carleigh’s journey from working in radio broadcasting to becoming a vegan chef and how a plant-based diet improved her digestion and overall energy levels
- The health and environmental benefits of eating more plant-based foods & moral reasons for reducing animal product consumption
- The importance of focusing on your health and diet as part of your overall wellness and wealth
- Tips for reducing food waste at home through proper storage, repurposing vegetable scraps, and being flexible with recipes + much more!
Other Links Mentioned in episode:
- Check out Carleigh's Book, Plant You: Scrappy Cooking
- Get your copy of my book: Your Journey To Financial Freedom
- Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review!
- Get The Budget Bootcamp for FREE
- Check out my personal website here.
- 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!
- 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.
- What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here.
Connect with Carleigh:
Connect with me:
3 April 2024, 9:00 am
30 minutes 59 seconds

Episode 367: Strategies for Financial Security During Income Insecurity & Going Back To The Basics
In this week’s solo episode, I'm sharing how I am currently in a relaxed phase with my finances and business, focusing on having a balanced life and not stressing to maximize income for now. I give you tips for feeling financially secure during slower income periods and will guide you on how to reach this relaxed phase as well.

In this episode you’ll learn:
- How knowing your income, savings, expenses and investment numbers will give you reassurance
- The importance of investments in achieving financial goals, even during slower times
- How thinking through the worst case and best case scenario will help you feel empowered to withstand challenges & remain optimistic.
- Strategies for surviving extended periods without income and how to be prudent with expenses during slower times
- How to release worry by setting a date in the future to reassess where you are financially
Other Links Mentioned in episode:
- Get your copy of my book: Your Journey To Financial Freedom
- Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review!
- Get The Budget Bootcamp for FREE
- Check out my personal website here.
- 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!
- 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.
- What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here!
Connect with me:
27 March 2024, 9:00 am
42 minutes 45 seconds

Episode 366: How To Bounce Back from Financial Setbacks and Adversity w/ Lynnette Khalfani Cox
In this episode, we chat with personal finance expert and author, Lynnette Khalfani Cox, who discusses how to overcome financial setbacks and adversity. She outlines 10 common challenges people face that negatively impact them financially & emotionally, which she calls the "dreaded Ds". Lynnette provides us with some key strategies for bouncing back and assures us that there are always ways to recover and build resilience after a setback; focusing on your mindset and emotional health is the first step.

In this episode you will learn:
- Strategies for bouncing back such as: Leveraging your network & connections to find opportunities, cutting expenses and finding ways to earn extra income, prioritizing your goals and tackling them one at a time + others.
- A breakdown of the 10 common challenges people face that impact our money- the dreaded D’s
- Examples of how to switch & save money in areas like healthcare, food, phone bills, & childcare.
- How discrimination in housing, jobs, and lending can significantly impact someone's financial situation + more
Other Links Mentioned in episode:
- Check out Lynnette’s latest book here, "Bounce Back: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Resilience”.
- Episode 187- How to Get Your Employer to Pay $5,250 Towards Your Student Loans Before the End of 2020
- Episode 151-Everything You Need to Know About the Economic Relief Package with Lynnette Khalfani-Cox
- Episode 261- How To Improve Your Financial Well-Being, Embrace Fin-Tech Solutions & Evolving Technology w/ Lynnette Khalfani-Cox
- Get your copy of my book: Your Journey To Financial Freedom
- Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review!
- Get The Budget Bootcamp for FREE
- Check out my personal website here.
- 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!
- 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.
- What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here!
Connect with Lynnette:
Connect with me:
20 March 2024, 9:00 am
55 minutes 12 seconds

Episode 365: Become a Profitable & Successful Investor with Mabel Nunez
Mabel Nunez is the founder & Chief Education Officer at Girl$ on The Money - a stock market investing education company targeted toward individuals who are underrepresented in the investing world. Mabel grew up in the South Bronx as an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, with limited resources & a strong emphasis on education from her father. She learned very little about personal finance or investing while in school until she was in college, where she took an investing analysis class which began her passion for investing & personal finance. Mabel holds both a Bachelor of Science and an MBA in Finance. However, most of what she's learned about investing came from experience.

Mabel's mission is to teach what she's learned (and continues to learn) since starting her investing journey. She is passionate about transforming investing beginners into confident, knowledgeable, and profitable investors.

In this episode, Mabel shares:
- How fear kept her from starting to invest, despite graduating as a finance major, reading articles and listening to shows on investing
- How she has been investing for 16 years with a focus on individual stocks in a self-directed taxable account. She invests in companies with long-term potential, rarely selling stocks and preferring a Warren Buffett-style strategy
- That investing in ETFs or index funds, such as the S&P 500, can be a simpler alternative to buying individual stocks & advises against buying "cheap stocks" or investing in unproven companies.
- How she struggled to tell her parents about quitting her 9-5 stable job to pursue her passion & the challenge of balancing personal dreams with family expectations, particularly for immigrant families + much more!
Other Links Mentioned in episode:
- Get your copy of my book: Your Journey To Financial Freedom
- Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review!
- Get The Budget Bootcamp for FREE
- Check out my personal website here.
- 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!
- 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.
- What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here!
Connect with Mabel:
Connect with me:
13 March 2024, 9:00 am
53 minutes 24 seconds

Episode 364: Empowering Kids for Financial Success with Maya Corbic
Maya Corbic is a first-generation immigrant, CPA, author of the kids’ book "From Piggy Banks to Stocks: The Ultimate Guide for a Young Investor", and founder of the Wealthy Kids Investment Club. From challenging beginnings in shelters and government housing, Maya draws from her experience of overcoming financial challenges & simplifies money matters to inspire children to pursue financial success. Her vision is to empower every child to become a financially independent adult.

Maya Corbic grew up in war-torn Bosnia before immigrating to Canada at the age 15. She started working at a young age to support herself and her family. This immigrant experience drove her motivation to get an education and have a successful career as a CPA where she worked at accounting firms before quitting to spend more time with family and start teaching kids about personal finance. By the time she was 32 years old, she and her husband paid off $60,000 of debt, in addition to their mortgage.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
- The value of social capital and interpersonal skills, how to seize opportunities, and the importance of learning and networking.
- When is the ideal time to start teaching kids about key money lessons such as understanding needs vs wants, paying yourself first, & aligning money personalities with family values.
- How transparent we should be with our kids about how much money we make and how it’s earned, to help them understand the value of money.
- How to invest for your child using 529 plans and custodial Roth IRAs in the U.S, but also how important it is for parents to get their own financial situation in order before investing for their kids
- How to lead by example when it comes to instilling good financial habits in children + much more
Other Links Mentioned in episode:
- Check out Maya’s Book: "From Piggy Banks to Stocks: The Ultimate Guide for a Young Investor"
- Get your copy of my book: Your Journey To Financial Freedom
- Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review!
- Get The Budget Bootcamp for FREE
- Check out my personal website here.
- 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!
- 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.
- What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here!
Connect with Maya:
Connect with me:
6 March 2024, 10:00 am
22 minutes 25 seconds

Episode 363: The Real Benefit of Pursuing Financial Independence + Other Key Insights From My Book "Your Journey To Financial Freedom"
In this solo episode, I share the five key insights from my book, “𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦: 𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩-𝐁𝐲-𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬.”

I talk about varying definitions of Financial Freedom, how to stay motivated on your financial journey, Five Journey Stages of Financial Independence, and more!

In this episode you’ll learn about:
- How Financial Independence is a marathon, not a sprint
- The importance of not comparing yourself to others
- The real benefit of pursuing Financial Independence
- Determining how to identify your lifestyle, the six essential components to work on to reach Financial Independence, money mindset + more
Other Links Mentioned in episode:
- Get your copy of my book: Your Journey To Financial Freedom
- Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review!
- Get The Budget Bootcamp for FREE
- Check out my personal website here.
- 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!
- 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
- What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here!
Connect with me:
28 February 2024, 10:00 am
52 minutes 13 seconds

Episode 362: From Corporate America to Coast FI + Van Life With Jessica From The Fioneers
Jessica, co-author of award-winning blog The Fioneers, speaker, and lifestyle design coach, joins the Journey To Launch podcast for a second time to discuss how her and her partner transitioned from corporate America to van-life entrepreneurs.

We chat about unconventional paths and balanced approaches to Financial Independence, tips to reach FI, navigating feelings of fear and scarcity surrounding money and FI, and more!

In this episode you’ll learn about:
- How Jessica and her partner saved money and diverted funds from retirement to afford entrepreneurship and the flexibility of van-life
- Why you need to implement a strategy for the future as you transition away from your traditional career into self-employment
- What surrounding yourself with a community of people can do to improve your mental health as an entrepreneur
- What the definition of Coast FI is, What “Guac Level” Jessica identifies as, the strength of having a partner aligned with your financial goals + more
Other Links Mentioned in episode:
- Get your copy of my book: Your Journey To Financial Freedom
- Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review!
- Get The Budget Bootcamp for FREE
- Check out my personal website here.
- 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!
- 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.
- What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here!
Connect with Jessica:
Connect with me:
21 February 2024, 10:00 am
55 minutes 37 seconds

Episode 361: How Teachers Can Reach Financial Independence & Build Wealth With Rose Mendonca
Rose Mendonca, educator and financial enthusiast joins the Journey to Launch podcast to talk about her mission: helping all educators create wealth and the retirement of their dreams.

Rose is a serial entrepreneur and founded Teacher Talks Money when she realized educators need more guidance, support, and literacy surrounding their finances and retirement options.

Our conversation delves into topics such as Rose's decision to pay off her mortgage, the importance of optimizing earning potential early in a teaching career, how teachers can create wealth and more!

In this episode you’ll learn about:
- Why you need to consider the “golden handcuffs” of pension and time if you’re considering moving districts as a teacher
- Retirement options for teachers and the differences between a 403b and a 457
- Ways teachers can leverage their in-classroom skills to earn more money
- How teachers can invest with a limited income, strategically picking your school district, the power of investigating other interests + more!
Other Links Mentioned in episode:
- Adam Minsky: Student Loan Lawyer
- Travis Hornsby: student loan planner
- Episode 228- Everything You Need To Know About Student Loan Repayment W/ Travis Hornsby
- Get your copy of my book: "Your Journey To Financial Freedom"
- Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom review!
- Get The Budget Bootcamp for FREE
- Check out my personal website here.
- 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!
- 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.
- What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here!
Connect with Rose:
Connect with me:
14 February 2024, 10:00 am
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