You do not have to be perfect to make progress. Just be a little more courageous every day.

Welcome back to the Micro Empires Podcast! I’m your host, Jennifer Ives Grimson. Today my guest is Jillian Johnsrud, an inspiring Writer, Creator, Speaker at Montanamoneyadventures.com, and host of her podcast called Everyday Courage. Her life journey has brought her from massive debt to becoming financially independent by the end of her 20s. Now she runs a fantastic lifestyle business, helping others grow businesses while creating financial freedom.

 

Let’s dive right in as we talk about reaching financial independence without having to have a large paycheck. 

[00:01 - 07:45] Opening Segment

• I introduce Jillian Johnsrud to the show
• Jillian talks about her background and money culture growing up
• • Scarcity mindset
  • Lived in a small town with little economic opportunity
  • Fear of generational poverty
  • Had $5500 debt at 19
• Jillian talks about her mindset transition journey 
• • Watched Oprah through grad school 
  • Had a sense of hope, no matter where you come from and what you have experienced, that you could change the trajectory of your life
  • Started to saved up and bought a camper 
  • Being in a huge amount of collective debt after marriage 

[07:46 - 14:00] Money Talks in Marriage 

• Jillian talks about her money discussion in her marriage 
• • Oppression pain point 
  • Her husband had credit card debt
• Money could create options and freedom
• When people can’t change 
• • Either because people don’t have the ability or they don’t care enough
• You are able to change, but the cost is extremely high, and the work is difficult 
• Jillian talks about her money mindset shift after she adopted children from foster care
• • Having a big disagreement with her husband 
• From $50.000 debt to financial independence in 10years
• • You can be in the same spot or start moving towards your financial independence

[14:01 - 25:05] Financial Independence Movement

• Jillian shares about the beginning of her financial independence movement
• • Saved up half of their income at the beginning of their marriage 
  • Pressing down their spendings
  • It took about 7-8 years to reach independence
• Jillian talks about the biggest influence in her financial journey
• • Regrets of not having a finance community and support
  • Read some books about finance and budgeting
• Fighting the perception of reading and buying books is a waste
• • Went to the library to gain information about budgeting and finance 
  • Reading a book a week 
• The shift that prompted her to start the Everyday Courage Podcast
• • Found her passion for personal finance 
  • Started to coach people and shares about  financial knowledge
• Taking a year off after reaching her financial independence
• • Do more writing and started her blog
• Earned a spot in new communities
• • Finding like-minded people
  • Developing personal relationships 

[25:06 - 33:00] Be More Courageous Everyday 

• Jillian talks about how she started her podcast show
• • The underlying theme of her journey
• All of our growth comes outside of our comfort zone
• • Taking the risk to success 
• We need to be more courageous everyday things
• • People making progress in being courageous in the simple things
• Quick shoutout to my Podcast Producers: Streamlined Podcasts
• • Use promo code: JIVES and get a discount
• Jillian talks about the goals in her podcast
• • Provides steps for people to follow 
• Jillian shares the advice on how to talk about money to the people surround you
• • Start with the end in mind
  • Design your financial planning 

[33:01 - 42:40] The Changes and Affect of COVID-19

• Assess where you are right now
• Defensive steps
• • Emergency funds
  • Know where you spend your money
  • Where do you want to be in the next three years 
  • Be aware of the new opportunities that have been created 
• In times of crisis, a lot of new doors are opening
• • Switching your mindset to be more strategic and creative 
• Jillian talks about the FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) movement
• • Became overly popular after the 2008 crash 
  • Most people are playing by the rules and still lost a lot
  • People becoming more open and assertive
• The Analogy of a wedding planner
• • Put as much planning, thoughts, and money in our lives
  • How do we line up our finances, time, and habits to reach out goal
• Have someone alongside you to help you to organize your plans

[42:41 - 46:31] Closing Segment

• How to connect to Jillian
• • Join her free ten-day of Intentional Living Course at www.jillianjohnsrud.com/intentional/ 
  • See links below
• Final words

 

Tweetable Quotes:

“You do not have to be perfect to make progress, but just be a little more courageous every day.” -  Jillian Johnsrud.

“There is a sense of hope, no matter where you come from and what you have experienced, that you could change the trajectory of your life.” - Jillian Johnsrud.

“All of our growth comes from outside of our comfort zone and taking the risk for success.” - Jillian Johnsrud.

“Put as much planning, thoughts, and money into your goals, just like planning a wedding.” - Jillian Johnsrud.

 

Resources Mentioned:

• Everyday Courage Podcast 
• MontanaMoneyAdventures.com
• Oprah Winfrey 

 

If you’d like to connect with Jillian, you can find her on Linkedin, Instagram, and Twitter. You can visit her website at www.jillianjohnsrud.com/  and Join her free ten-day of Intentional Living Course at www.jillianjohnsrud.com/intentional/.

 

You can connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. I’m excited to hear more about you. I’m excited to know more about you. Also, feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]. You can call or text 213-973-7206.

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This podcast is about YOU.  We all have a story, whether your story is a lot like mine or totally different. Maybe you have a good job, but you know in your heart that you want more. 

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