After graduating from college with over $70,000 in student loans, Ysanet Batista went straight into public service. Unfortunately, her career did not pay a high salary and she found it difficult to live and eat in New York City. At some points, she faced food insecurity and homelessness. Her struggles forced her to find ways to make more money and led to her starting her own food cooperative business called Woke Foods. She merged her love for cuisine with her passion for social justice and is forging her own path to Financial Liberation. 

Ysanet is also a member of the Money Launch Club (moneylaunchclub.com) and shares how joining the community allowed her to pay off debt, find support and stay accountable on her journey

In this episode you will learn: 

• Where you can find a community of like-minded people support you on your journey to financial independence and retiring early (FIRE)
• Why it’s so important to know your WHY
• How to know when your income is your problem
• The importance of budgeting no matter how much you make
• What you can accomplish as a member of the Money Club
• The benefits of an accountability partner, and more

Special thanks to YNAB for sponsoring the podcast in its 3 year anniversary month. Get your free 34 trial of YNAB today (no credit card required to sign up) by going to youneedabudget.com/journey

Sign up for the Journey to Launch free class on July 16th here.

In This Free Online Workshop, You Will Learn:

1. What the elusive term of Financial Independence really means

2. The FIVE major stages you must move through on the journey to reaching Financial Independence and how to identify where you currently are on the journey

3. The barriers stopping you from reaching your goals and how to eliminate them

*It’s a virtual meeting so you can join us from anywhere by registering here.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• Ysanet mentioned some great Journey to Launch episodes you should check out:
  • Episode 81: Atomic Habits How Tiny Changes Spark Remarkable Results with James Clear
  • Episode 135: Your Student Loan Questions Answered with David Carlson 
• Learn more about the Money Launch Club here and make sure you join when doors open up again!
• Check out the other tools that help me with my finances and business here.
• Check out the Journey To Launch Podcast index here which categorizes all of the Journey To Launch podcast episodes by subject. Now you can binge on your favorite topics or type of episode.
• 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!
• Watch me on News12  Watch my latest segments on News12
• 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.

Connect with Ysanet Batista:

• YsanetBatista.com & Woke Foods.coop
• Instagram: @YsanetBatista
• Twitter: @YsanetBatista 
• Facebook:@YsanetBatista

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group
• Join The Money Launch Club Waitlist 
• Jumpstart Guide