There are, I dare say, millions of “Get Rich Quick” schemes. They sometimes come in the form of #bossbabe MLMs and they sometimes come in the form of going “all in” in bitcoin due to internet hype. 

The truth about a real financial journey… you know, for everyday “normal” people, is that it’s not about thriving everyday. It’s not about getting rich quick. 

It’s about balance. 

It’s about the BIG picture. 

It’s about long-term thinking.

Even in your downturns, you have to look at the average trajectory of your journey. Have you made progress? Are you working towards your goals? Where do you think you’ll be in x years?

It’s easy to get stuck in the weeds of negativity and “the grind,” but remember: It’s not get rich quick. It’s get rich consistently. 

IN THIS EPISODE, SAMI SHARES ABOUT:

• Everyone has good and bad seasons in life, even with personal finances
• It’s important to consider the BIG PICTURE, not zoom in on where you’re at right in this moment. Keep perspective
• Building wealth, fulfilling dreams and achieving a life you want to live is a long-term, consistency-based process
• There’s no ‘get rich quick’ scheme — it’s about living the life you want to live over time and making habits that are sustainable

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Digital Budgeting System Worksheets

• 1:1 Coaching with Sami

• —> Sami’s YouTube Channel

No one likes to admit this, but budgeting is really the first step. It’s what you do after that matters, because the reality is that anyone can write a budget. Not everyone knows what to do after-the-fact.

This episode is how to keep on keepin’ on AFTER you write your budget. How doing the heart work, setting goals and being intentional with your money is the secret sauce to budgeting.

Remember — you’ve still got your training wheels on. Take it slow and steady, remember this is a long-haul game and get excited about the future.

IN THIS EPISODE, SAMI SHARES ABOUT:

• How to keep moving forward AFTER your budget is set up
• Why going at your own pace is crucial to the journey
• How to amp up your income and cut back your spending

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Join the Sunny Squad Facebook Group

• Digital Budgeting System Worksheets

• 1:1 Coaching with Sami

• —> Sami’s YouTube Channel

No one has said “I want a crappy life, with crappy things, making no money.”

That’s why, it is a sticking point for me, that you need money for all the things you truly deserve and all the things you dream of. Things like a paid-off home, travel adventures and a secure future.

In order to do that, we have to lay the financial groundwork so to speak. These are 5 steps to financial freedom:

1. Work on your mindset
2. Create a solid written budget
3. Alter on your spending habits
4. Work to stay motivated + stay connected to positive influences
5. Live a life of financial freedom! (happens during the process, not after)

IN THIS EPISODE, SAMI SHARES ABOUT:

• You don't only need money to live, you need money to dream

• 5 steps you can easily take to reach financial independence

• How these steps have manifested in her own life

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Check out my ETSY shop

• Digital Budgeting System Worksheets

• 1:1 Coaching with Sami

• —> Sami’s YouTube Channel

I think we all have realized at this point, that our financial situation has the ability to change overnight. With COVID, lockdowns, and crashing stock markets, we aren’t as secure as we originally thought. So... what do we do about it? Welcome to the world of multiple income streams and how to leverage them to build security AND wealth. IN THIS EPISODE, SAMI SHARES ABOUT:

• Defining the different types of income streams you could possible adopt

• What is passive income anyway?

• Why we have to break free from working harder and start working smarter

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Digital Budgeting System Worksheets

• 1:1 Coaching with Sami

• —> Sami’s YouTube Channel

"We don't buy things with money, we buy them with hours of our lives." -Joshua Becker

When you change your mindset to buying things with time instead of money, that's when your entire world changes.

Once you realize that life is too short to spend it chasing frivolous things...

Once you realize that you, your partner, or both of you, are going to spend time away from your family working each day...

Once you realize that it's not money it's time...

You'd better have something more than debt and tired feet to show for it!

IN THIS EPISODE, SAMI SHARES ABOUT:

• Changing your mindset from money = money to money = time

• How your spending habits set the tone for the rest of your financial situation

• How to take advantage of this scarcity (time) by living your best life 

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Digital Budgeting System Worksheets

• 1:1 Coaching with Sami

• —> Sami’s YouTube Channel

Since it's tax day, it's finally time to open up about my story about what happens when you're 3 years behind on property taxes, don't properly pay your business's sale tax, and when the IRS comes after you because you failed to claim all of your income.

If you're scared... well, you should be!

IN THIS EPISODE, SAMI SHARES ABOUT:

• Why she was behind on her property taxes

• What she did to resolve the issues

• What she learned from this IRS nightmare

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Digital Budgeting System Worksheets

• 1:1 Coaching with Sami

• —> Sami’s YouTube Channel

It’s financial literacy month, which means my social media feeds are ablaze with tips and information all surrounding personal finance. I love this time of year, because we are coming out of hibernation and setting our sites on how we can improve ourselves. A spring cleaning of our personal finances and emotional lives is a wonderful, fresh way to celebrate spring.

With all of that being said, I want to touch on the subject of money and emotions. We have this incorrect notion that money is removed from feeling. It’s too cerebral… too analytical, but I am here to tell you that money, specifically personal finance, tells me everything I need to know about a person's priorities and emotions.

In this episode, I expand on this idea and how you can improve your financial and emotional wellbeing today! Don't forget: Money is emotional!

IN THIS EPISODE, SAMI SHARES ABOUT:

• Why money and emotions are intrinsically tied 
• How you can improve your finances to match what you want your life to be TODAY
• Real life stories surrounding transformations around money and emotions

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• #debtfreecommunity on Instagram

• [Free Course] Magic + Money

• Digital Budgeting System Worksheets

• 1:1 Coaching with Sami

• —> Sami’s YouTube Channel

The future is female, and in this International Women's Month episode on A Sunny Side Up Life, we speak to why this is an absolute truth.

The gender pay gap, divorce statistics and the reality of predatory practices like the pink tax, make financial literacy for women not just a luxury -- but a necessity. 

We are claiming a seat at the table -- and it's long overdue.

IN THIS EPISODE, SAMI SHARES ABOUT:

• Why collaboration is more impactful than competition
• The wealth gap, divorce statistics, financial abuse and things that women are faced with on a daily basis
• The importance of financial literacy
• Women that empower other women on a daily basis

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Divorce statistics for women @brokeblackgirl

• Financial Abuse statistic @brokeblackgirl

• `10 Women to follow for Money Advice

  • @delyannethemoneycoach⁠

  • @herfirst100k

  • @savemycents

  • @veefrugalfox

  • @jasminetillery / @blackpfcommunity⁠

  • @financiallifocused

  • @thebrokeblackgirl

  • @aunt.kara⁠

  • @sugarandmoney⁠

  • @nerdsguidetofi⁠

• 1:1 Coaching with Sami

• —> Sami’s YouTube Channel

Did you know that there are more than 2 ways to pay off debt? Most of us have heard of the Debt Snowball Method and the Debt Avalanche Method -- but have you heard of the Most-Hated Debt Method? What about the Highest Monthly Payment Method?

In this episode, I’m exploring other options and methods when it comes to paying off your debt and what could work for you and your family during your financial independence journey. 

IN THIS EPISODE, SAMI SHARES ABOUT:

• What method(s) Sami used in her own debt free journey

• What the best method to pay debt off is 

• Your different debt payment plan options

• Others who have successfully used these plans

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• [affiliate link] Easy Budget's Debt Calculator

• @easy_budget

• @veefrugalfox

• @financiallifocused

• @ashsavingcash

• 1:1 Coaching with Sami

• —> Sami’s YouTube Channel

Find all of the shownotes here: https://www.asunnysideuplife.com/blog/podcast/a-year-into-covid

This is officially the worst anniversary ever -- and while I’m absolutely not celebrating the year of COVID-19, I am definitely reflecting on it. ⁠

I am thinking of how I learned (even more) the importance of holding my loved ones close. Of not taking for granted what we have, of not hoarding things other people may need (lookin’ at you, TP) and, above all, how this season of life will change all others. ⁠

If I can take away one single thing this year, it's to be kind to one another.

IN THIS EPISODE, SAMI SHARES ABOUT:

• How COVID has affected Sami and the world

• What has changed and remained the same

• Hard lessons learned during a global pandemic

• The importance of not taking life for granted

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• [Podcast] EP. 82 Searching For The Sunny Side Of COVID-19

• 1:1 Coaching with Sami

• —> Sami’s YouTube Channel