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Journey To Launch

Jamila Souffrant

  • 28 minutes 45 seconds
    Episode 406: Financial Independence is Within Your Reach - Chapter 1 From My Book “Your Journey To Financial Freedom”

    This week on the Journey to Launch Podcast, I have a gift for you! I’m sharing the 1st chapter to my book, Your Journey to Financial Freedom. In this chapter I start off my book defining Financial Freedom and Independence and addressing the various financial independence approaches. I highlight the importance of setting financial goals, even if they seem unattainable initially, and the personal growth achieved through the pursuit of FI. Financial Independence doesn’t necessarily mean you need to quit working, instead it's about having options and control over your financial life. 

    In the first chapter of my book I share: 

    • How to choose a path other than the basic personal finance and elite FIRE approaches and create your own financial path to Financial Freedom
    • That financial independence is not about accumulating wealth but about the personal growth and skills gained along the journey.
    • That the idea that retiring early is impossible or unrealistic is a common misconception. This decision is personal & can vary from person to person.
    • Why you should view financial freedom as a form of control and peace of mind, even with any current financial constraints.

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

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    25 December 2024, 12:29 pm
  • 51 minutes 5 seconds
    Episode 405: 10 Life & Financial Lessons from Running My First Half Marathon in Jamaica

    This week on the Journey to Launch Podcast, I am sharing my journey of running my first half marathon at the Reggae Marathon in Negril, Jamaica, drawing the parallels between the lessons learned from running and those from my financial freedom journey. This race aligned with the one-year anniversary of my book “Your Journey to Financial Freedom” and had me reflect on the power of setting ambitious goals, embracing challenges, and finding joy in the journey. I also share the pleasure I had to be able to stay at two boutique, family-owned resorts—Rondel Village and Travelers Beach Resort, and being able to reunite with former podcast guests, Tiffany Grant and Tanya Taylor. Through the lessons drawn from the race, I talk about the importance of community, preparation, and maintaining an optimistic mindset, while celebrating serendipitous moments that reflect life’s magic. 

    In this episode I share: 

    • The race details, waking up at 3:45 AM for the shuttle to the starting line, starting the race at 5:15 AM, shared moments with other runners & the thrill of crossing the finish line with a sense of accomplishment.
    • How training for the race paralleled the financial independence journey since both require preparation, perseverance, incremental progress & community support
    • Why you should avoid assumptions about others and comparing yourself to others, instead focus on your progress
    • Serendipitous moments like reuniting with family and connecting with podcast listeners can remind us of life’s wonder and interconnectedness + more.

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

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    19 December 2024, 1:09 am
  • 55 minutes 17 seconds
    Episode 404: Entrepreneurship & Relocation: Building a Sustainable Lifestyle in Jamaica with Tiffany Grant

    In this episode of the Journey to Launch podcast, I had an amazing conversation with Tiffany Grant, an accredited financial counselor and entrepreneur, about her journey to achieving financial freedom and her decision to relocate from the United States to Jamaica. Tiffany shares how she created a career in personal finance through her blog, podcast, and coaching business, Money Talk with Tiff and recounts the challenges of transitioning from corporate America to full-time entrepreneurship. Tiffany also dives into her life in Jamaica and talks about the cultural, educational, and healthcare differences compared to the U.S. She shares how her move was motivated by a desire for a simpler, more community-focused lifestyle and better opportunities for her children. Tiffany emphasizes the importance of financial preparedness, adaptability, and building a support system when making a significant life change.

    In this episode, Tiffany shares:

    • The impact of becoming a teenage mother at 17, which motivated her to get serious about her finances and debt payoff, making it a goal to be debt free by 35. 
    • The financial considerations of living in Jamaica, the importance of understanding the local culture, safety concerns and how she has built a support system, including friends who helped her navigate the new environment.
    • The visa process for staying in Jamaica, the process for relocating and for obtaining citizenship by descent 
    • Why anyone relocating to another country should think about how they can contribute to the local community and the need to know your financial numbers and understand the legal requirements for living in a new country.

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

    Connect with Tiffany:

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    11 December 2024, 10:00 am
  • 52 minutes 32 seconds
    Episode 403: Protecting Love with Finances: How Prenups Strengthen Relationships w/ Aaron Thomas

    This week on the Journey to Launch podcast, I’m joined by Aaron Thomas, a Harvard-educated family law expert and founder of Prenups.com. Aaron takes us through his journey from public defender to family law attorney and entrepreneur, highlighting the critical role of financial planning in marriage through prenups and postnups. These agreements help couples establish clear financial boundaries and expectations, reducing potential conflicts both during the marriage and in the event of a divorce.

    Aaron explains that every couple is already subject to a default "prenup" defined by state laws, but creating a personalized agreement allows couples to take control of their financial dynamics. He stresses that prenups aren’t just for the wealthy—they’re valuable tools for any couple looking to avoid common financial disputes and strengthen their relationship

    In this episode, Aaron shares:

    • Aaron clarifies the difference between a prenup and a postnup and the benefits of creating a customized agreement.
    • The emotional barriers people face when bringing up the topic of prenups with their partners and the need to frame the conversation in terms of financial protection rather than planning for divorce.
    • How customized prenups can include unique clauses like counseling or annual meetings and the importance of adapting prenups to a couple's evolving life and finances.
    • The value of prenups, emphasizing their cost-effectiveness compared to weddings, their role in avoiding costly divorces, and the importance of treating them as a serious financial investment.

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

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    4 December 2024, 10:00 am
  • 50 minutes 50 seconds
    Episode 402: Redefining Happiness through Intentional and Sustainable Spending with Kara Perez

    This week on the Journey to Launch Podcast, I’m joined by Kara Perez, founder of Bravely Go and author of Green Money. Kara shares her inspiring journey from paying off $65,000 in student loans to creating a financial education company. She emphasizes the impact of values-based budgeting and reducing waste as key strategies for building wealth. Kara also discusses how to use money as a force for positive change, including aligning your finances with ethical practices like switching banks, and introduces the concept of "financially secure YOLO," offering practical advice on balancing financial goals with enjoying life.

    In this episode Kara shares: 

    • How to align your spending with personal values in a social media-driven world that may encourage overconsumption & strategies to resist unnecessary purchases.
    • How individuals can contribute to environmental sustainability through financial choices, like moving money to ethical banks.
    • Examples of collective financial solutions like babysitting co-ops and bartering services to reduce costs while fostering community connections.
    • Her experience of maintaining separate bank accounts with her partner but scheduling regular money dates to ensure alignment on shared financial goals and upcoming expenses.

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

    Connect with Kara:

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    27 November 2024, 10:00 am
  • 50 minutes 3 seconds
    Episode 401: A Candid Convo on Finding the Balance Between Enjoyment and Financial Discipline with my Sister, Imani Manning

    This week on the podcast, I’m having a real talk with my sister, Imani, about her financial habits and goals. Imani started a Roth IRA back in 2020 and has seen it grow nicely, but she’s had trouble staying consistent with contributions—mainly because of concerns about accessibility and wanting to enjoy her money now (can you relate?)

    We dive into why opening a high-yield savings account, automating her Roth IRA contributions, and paying off her credit card in full each month are game changers. Imani gets the long-term benefits of these moves and is open to making changes, but she shares the challenges of balancing saving for the future with enjoying the present.

    Together, we talk through realistic strategies to overcome financial hesitations and why small, steady steps can lead to big wins when it comes to financial stability and growth.

    In this episode Imani shares: 

    • Her excitement on seeing her initial investment double in her Roth IRA from 2020, and the importance of regular contributions and the value of patience and discipline in building long-term wealth.
    • Her struggles with maintaining consistent contributions to her Roth IRA, fearing losing access to funds and prioritizing short-term gratification over long-term financial goal.
    • How to balance enjoyment with financial responsibility, and the challenges of following a plan that will benefit us in the future.
    • How she's seen successes from following my advice in the past and commits to implementing the suggested steps: 
      • Open a high-yield savings account to earn more interest on her savings.
      • Set up automatic monthly contributions to her Roth IRA, even starting with a small amount like $100–200.
      • Pay off her credit card balance in full each month to avoid interest charges

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

    Connect with Imani:

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    20 November 2024, 10:00 am
  • 55 minutes 10 seconds
    Episode 400: Building Wealth Through Healing, Self Love and Breaking Cycles with Judy McCutcheon

    In this episode of the Journey to Launch Podcast, I speak with Judy McCutcheon, a Caribbean human resources expert, who shares her inspiring life story. Judy grew up in Tobago with humble beginnings, raised by a single mother facing financial challenges. Despite a childhood marked by scarcity, she became the first in her family to attend university. Her journey through self-sabotage, overcoming poverty, and healing from emotional struggles transformed her perspective on self-worth and financial well-being. 

    In this episode, Judy shares: 

    • Despite earning a good income as a consultant, she still struggled with financial discipline because of her mindset around money, influenced by her upbringing, leading her to spend rather than save and invest.
    • How a pivotal moment in her journey was reading The Secret, which led her to deep self-reflection and building self-love.
    • The challenges of self-reflection and the importance of addressing deep-seated beliefs about oneself.
    • How her Disruptive Leadership Conference aims to provide practical insights and networking opportunities for leaders.
    • & more!

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

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    13 November 2024, 10:00 am
  • 57 minutes 34 seconds
    Episode 399: Overcoming Obstacles as an Undocumented Immigrant and Reaching $1 Million Invested by 48 w/ Tanya Taylor
    6 November 2024, 10:00 am
  • 51 minutes 17 seconds
    Episode 398- My Financial Freedom Story and The Steps You Need to Take To Reach Your Dream Life

    This week on the Journey to Launch Podcast, I’m reflecting on my own financial freedom journey so far and defining key concepts around financial independence. Not too long ago my growing family and demanding commute to my corporate job fueled my desire for a more flexible, fulfilling life. My husband and I saved and invested $169,000 in two years, I began my journey of entrepreneurship, wrote my book “Your Journey to Financial Freedom” and today I get to choose what I want to do with my time.

    I’m also reviewing my framework for achieving financial freedom, starting with calculating your financial independence number (the amount needed to live off investments without active work) and progressing through my "Journeyer Stages" from stabilizing finances to achieving full work flexibility or "financial independence." I’m encouraging you to embrace your journey towards financial independence and find fulfillment along the way. 

    In this episode I share:

    • The challenges of balancing work and family, and how it started me on the path to financial freedom
    • The components of the wealth formula and why you need to maximize your income and optimize expenses to achieve financial independence.
    • The guac levels, which represent different spending habits and lifestyles & why it’s important to be honest with yourself about spending habits
    • The importance of changing oneself and becoming the best version of you through the journey.

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

    Connect with me:

    30 October 2024, 9:00 am
  • 46 minutes 49 seconds
    Episode 397: How to Spend, Save & Find Joy Before and After Retirement w/ Christine Benz

    This week on the Journey to Launch podcast, I am speaking to Christine Benz, Director of Personal Finance at Morningstar. Christine shares her insights on how to retire and addresses certain issues that come up during retirement such as safe spending rates and the under-spending problem. She advises early retirees to be flexible with withdrawals, highlights the importance of finding balance in retirement, such as community service and hobbies and stresses the value of micro joys and small daily activities that bring joy and purpose.

    In this episode Christine shares:

    • Her entrepreneurial role within Morningstar, where she has freedom to build the personal finance vertical while enjoying the security of a paycheck.
    • The importance of communication skills and building subject matter expertise which can lead to better career opportunities.
    • How spending in retirement often fluctuates, why you should diversify income streams and advice on balancing tax-sheltered accounts and taxable savings for more flexibility in early retirement.
    • Why you should live a fulfilling life now to avoid pent-up demand in retirement, the benefits of taking breaks and finding balance in life + more.

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

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    23 October 2024, 9:00 am
  • 31 minutes 43 seconds
    Episode 396: Visible Wealth vs Invisible Wealth & Redefining What it Means To Be Rich

    In this week’s solo episode of the Journey to Launch Podcast, I explore the concept of wealth and what it means to be truly rich. While wealth is often defined by an abundance of money or material possessions, I discuss the distinction between "visible wealth" (like possessions) and "invisible wealth" (such as financial security, time freedom, and health). I also emphasize the importance of avoiding comparisons to others, especially in affluent environments, and instead focusing on your own financial journey.  

    In this episode I share: 

    • How exploring middle school options for my oldest son has me questioning the true value of wealth and financial freedom 
    • Why you should reflect on how you view wealth and financial freedom in your own life.
    • How different people may perceive wealth and how it can lead to misperceptions about one's financial status.
    • Why it’s crucial to appreciate the wealth you already have, without seeking external validation.
    • How to find value in the invisible wealth that people cannot see, such as being healthy, having strong relationships, having savings, and being able to pay bills on time.
    • The importance of being honest with oneself about why one makes certain financial decisions + more.

    Other Links Mentioned in episode:

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    16 October 2024, 9:00 am
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