She Strengthens

Breaking Free from Financial Fear

Growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Brooklyn, I knew what it meant to struggle financially. My mom worked tirelessly to provide for me, often relying on food stamps and government-assisted healthcare to get by. Despite the challenges, she made sacrifices to give me a comfortable life, and for that, I’m forever grateful.

The Roots of Financial Anxiety

My childhood experiences instilled in me a deep-seated fear of going broke. It’s a fear that many of us can relate to, especially in a society where wealth is often seen as the ultimate goal. But for me, it was more than just a fear – it was a constant anxiety that stemmed from watching my mom struggle to make ends meet.

Toxic Spending Habits

In college, I developed terrible spending habits that were hard to break. I’d buy takeout every day, go on impulsive shopping sprees, and accumulate material possessions like they were going out of style. It wasn’t until later that I realized my behavior was driven by a deep-seated belief that I’d lose everything someday, so I might as well enjoy it while I could.

A Shift in Perspective

But then something changed. I began to learn more about personal finance, and I discovered a community of experts and life coaches who taught me invaluable lessons about rectifying past financial mistakes. I implemented shopping bans, learned to budget, and started to view money in a different light.

The Power of Investing

One of the most significant lessons I learned was the importance of investing. I started watching YouTube videos of people sharing their personal stories about how investing had helped them build a financial safety net. It was a game-changer. I realized that investing wasn’t just for the wealthy – it was an option for anyone who wanted to build wealth and create a comfortable life for themselves.

Taking the First Step

While I haven’t started investing yet, it’s one of my main goals for the year. I’m a bit scared about the process, but I know that there are tools out there that can make it easy. Services like Wealthsimple, an online investing platform that builds a custom portfolio to fit your personal needs, goals, and timeline, give me peace of mind. With their help, I can create a comfortable life for Future Me, one where I don’t have to worry about where my next paycheck is coming from – and it doesn’t require much effort.

A Brighter Financial Future

Knowing that I have the ability to create a secure financial future puts my mind at ease. I’ll still have moments of panic, but soon enough, I’ll be able to look at my portfolio and projected returns, and all those worries will wash away. I’m excited to take control of my finances and start building a brighter future – one that’s free from financial fear.