Journey To Launch

Minimalism, the practice of simplifying your life by living with fewer possessions, is a lifestyle choice that fits perfectly within the journey to Financial Independence. The concept of "quality over quantity" and "less equals more" allows you to spend and consume in ways that are in alignment with your life and financial goals.

This week's guest is Joshua Becker, a best-selling author and the Founder and Editor of Becoming Minimalist. Joshua has become one of the leading voices in the modern simplicity movement reaching over 1 million readers every month. Through the use of his platform, Joshua inspires others to pursue their greatest passions by owning fewer possessions.

In this episode we discuss:

• Joshua's epiphany moment of clearing out his garage
• How he began to make the necessary adjustments to his life
• How owning less stuff leads to more time, more energy, more freedom, etc.
• The differences in decluttering, organizing, de-owning, simplifying
• The importance of de-owning
• How to simplify your time (let go of overwhelm)
• How to implement being a minimalist if you have children
• How thoughtful consumption and consumerism with the idea of owning less and the FIRE movement go hand in hand

Sign up for Joshua's new quarterly magazine Simple Money here

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• The 10 Most Important Things to Simplify In Your Life
• 15 Clutter Busting Routines for Any Family
• Don't Just Declutter De-own
• Simplify Magazine
• Sign up for the Simple Money Quarterly Magazine here
• The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own
• 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
• My One on One Money Coaching Services – Get my personalized 1on1 money coaching expertise to help you reach your financial goals
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with Joshua:

• Becoming Minimalist
• Twitter: @Joshua_Becker
• Facebook: Becoming Minimalist

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group

The journey to Financial Independence can be a tough one that is full of ebbs and flows. I believe that it is so important that we share our stories to inspire others that may be experiencing some of the same challenges that we have. That is why I have started the Journeyer Profile Series where I'm talking to my listeners and the people in my community about their path to FI.

In this week's episode, I'm speaking with Lynn who suffered a massive stroke at age 43 that almost completely derailed her journey to FI and she has an amazing story to share. Take a look at Lynn's Journeyer Profile below.

If you would like to be considered to be a journeyer for the Journeyer Profile Series go to www.journeytolaunch.com/journeyerprofile

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• Check out the Budget BootCamp
• Be featured as a Journeyer on the podcast and site
• 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
• My One on One Money Coaching Services – Get my personalized 1on1 money coaching expertise to help you reach your financial goals
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with Lynn:

• Lynn's Blog-Holistic Doctor Mom
• Lynn's Etsy Shop

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group

Financial Freedom takes on several different forms and for today's guests, Matt and Alli Owen, it means taking a mini-retirement and traveling the US in their red Sprinter Van, Clifford. Burnt out and struggling with depression and anxiety from living the traditional 9 to 5 lifestyle, the Owens decided to walk away from their 6-figure jobs and live life on their own terms.

After saving 70% of their income over the course of 4 years, Matt and Alli were able to create the lifestyle that they truly enjoy. Today, Matt and Alli share their experiences on their journey to FI on Owen Your Future, their finance and personal development blog.

In this episode we discuss:

• Life before the van life
• Matt and Alli's careers
• Walking away from 6 figure incomes
• How living the 9-5 life left them feeling stuck and led to anxiety and depression
• How the Owens prepared financially
• How they saved 70% of income over 4 years
• Finding the courage to make such a big life change
• Why they chose Sprinter Van over a Camper or Tiny House or RV and the cost to buy the van and fix it up
• Resources for people that may want to fix a van to live a similar lifestyle
• Their monthly expenses
• The Owens' future lifestyle plans
• Valuing experiences over things

At the end of the podcast, I also talk about the waitlist to the soft launch of my monthly membership program. Get monthly tips, tools, and classes to help you launch to Financial Freedom. Click here to sign up and be the first to be notified when the doors open in Summer/Fall 2018.

Also, Journey To Launch was nominated at the 9th Annual Plutus Awards for Podcast of the Year & the Community Builder Award!

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• Freecampsites.com
• Medishare.com
• The Owen's YouTube Channel
• Van Tour: Two Engineers build a Pinterest Inspired Custom Sprinter Van in 6 Weeks
• 3 Step Process to Financially Preparing for Van Life
• Get the Owen's 10 Minute Money Checklist
• 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
• My One on One Money Coaching Services – Get my personalized 1on1 money coaching expertise to help you reach your financial goals
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with The Owens:

• Owen Your Future
• Instagram: @owenyourfuture
• Twitter: @owenyourfuture

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group

When I first started Journey To Launch, it was primarily to chronicle my journey to launch to Financial Independence. I had no way of knowing then, that today, this very same outlet that helps me share my journey and connect with so many people would cause the biggest detour on my Financial Independence path.

Being able to do something I love and potentially make a living from it has allowed me to reach my dream of freedom way earlier than I could have ever expected. While striving to reach the ultimate goal of financial independence, I've found a way to achieve a freedom today that I would not have otherwise have known.

On today's podcast, I'm talking about:

• How I came to the decision to quit my 6-figure job
• Why I decided now was the best time to walk away
• How this changes my Financial Independence journey
• The financial, mental & emotional things I did to prepare for this big life change
• Future plans for me and Journey To Launch

At the end of the podcast, I also talk about the waitlist to the soft launch of my monthly membership program. Get monthly tips, tools, and classes to help you launch to Financial Freedom. Click here to sign up and be the first to be notified when the doors open in Summer/Fall 2018.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this 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
• My One on One Money Coaching Services – Get my personalized 1on1 money coaching expertise to help you reach your financial goals
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

As parents, the financial example that we set for our children can have a profound impact on their financial future into adulthood. Cody is the personal finance blogger behind Fly to FI and he is going against the grain and making his way towards Financial Independence as a young adult. Growing up, Cody's parents taught him to live a lifestyle of frugality and to value saving which gave him a great head start for the future.

As a high school student, Cody quickly grew to understand the value of education. He became one of the top students in his High School graduating class and he even earned college credits. He then went on to college and he pursued a degree in finance. Upon discovering The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris, Cody's dreams to spend his life working a fast-paced finance career that would require working long hours began to change. Today, Cody is the proud owner of a disc golf company and he shares all of his financial beliefs and ideas on his blog, Fly to FI. As a young entrepreneur and blogger, Cody has made it his mission is to improve financial literacy and change the world for the better.

In this episode we discuss:

• The things that Cody's parents did to give him a head start
• What Cody did in high school to put himself ahead in your college classes and not needing college loans.
• Cody's full-time work and current side hustles
• His current saving/investing strategy
• Using side hustles and real estate as a means to fund your lifestyle and work your way to your FI goal.
• Why Cody made that decision to forgo working vs leaving early and hustling in the near term
• What gave him this confidence and know how to even attempt achieving FI
• Cody's advice for parents who want to instill these lessons for their kids

At the end of the podcast, I also talk about the waitlist to the soft launch of my monthly membership program. Get monthly tips, tools, and classes to help you launch to Financial Freedom. Click here to sign up and be the first to be notified when the doors open in Summer/Fall 2018.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• Scholarships-Scholly.com
• Scholarships-Scholarships.com
• Cody's golf company
• Check out Cody's podcast Fire Below Zero
• 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
• My One on One Money Coaching Services – Get my personalized 1on1 money coaching expertise to help you reach your financial goals
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with Cody:

• Fly To FI
• Fire Below Zero Podcast
• Instagram: @flytofi
• Twitter: @flytofi
• Facebook: Fly To FI

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group

Ideally, retirement is the event that allows for working men and women to shift their working lifestyle to a lifestyle of relaxation and enjoyment. The truth of the matter is that so many Americans, nearly one-third of those aged 55-64, have little to no savings and are unable to support themselves during their time of unemployment. Even with the median retirement account valued at more than $100,000, this is still not enough to maintain the living expenses of a person living the average lifespan of 80 years. Elizabeth White, an author and aging solutions advocate, shares this experience in hardship and has made it her mission to educate the world on the personal finance crisis.

Two years ago, Ms. White wrote an online essay that depicted the financial plight of boomer-aged Americans and her story resonated with so many. The overwhelming response to the essay led her to write her book, Fifty-five, Unemployed, and Faking Normal, which tells the story of the millions of older Americans who, despite a history of career choice and decent incomes, are facing the prospect of downward mobility in old age. Today, Ms. White has sparked a national conversation, has delivered an impactful TED Talk and has been recognized as one of the Top 50 influencers on aging.

In this episode we discuss:

• Ms. White's story and her famous TEDx Talk
• Her financial mistakes and lessons learned
• The individual isolated behavior vs systematic factors that have led us to this point of the retirement crisis. (The 7.7 trillion retirement GAP)
• The 3-legged retirement income stool- (the savings, pension and social security) and why it is so wobbly/broken
• Advice for older adults reaching retirement and advice for younger adults
• Resilient circles and how people can form them in their lives
• The concept of 'Smalling-up'
• What it means to have a richly textured life
• The changes Ms. White would have made her to habits and choices pre-retirement
• Her thoughts on the FIRE movement

At the end of the podcast, I also talk about the waitlist to the soft launch of my monthly membership program. Get monthly tips, tools, and classes to help you launch to Financial Freedom. Click here to sign up and be the first to be notified when the doors open in Summer/Fall 2018.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• 55andFakingNormal.com
• YouTube Video of TEDx Talk
• Fifty-five, Unemployed, and Faking Normal Book
• PBS Video and Profile
• 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
• My One on One Money Coaching Services – Get my personalized 1on1 money coaching expertise to help you reach your financial goals
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with Elizabeth:

• Twitter: @55fakingnormal
• Facebook: 55 and Faking Normal

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group

Being on the journey to Financial Independence doesn't always mean that you have to sacrifice the finer things in life. The Luxe Strategist, a personal finance blogger, is a 30-something New Yorker that saves half of her income and still enjoys the comfort of luxury items and deluxe travel.

Growing up as the child of low-income refugees, The Luxe Strategist knew struggle and hardship all too well. As an adult, she made the decision to paint her own picture of what it means to be financially savvy and successful. Today, The Luxe Strategist proudly boasts hefty savings, trips to places like Paris and Hawaii, sporting $400 sneakers, and she shares every bit of her personal finance journey on her blog, The Luxe Strategist.

In this episode we discuss:

• What motivated her personal finance journey.
• Her love for and "luxury"/nice things?
• Having nice things and still being financially responsible
• How to evaluate making luxury purchases
• What puts her in the position to be able to make luxury purchases
• How The Luxe Strategist resells clothes for extra income and how you can get started.
• How she saved half of her income on less than 6-figures
• How to find the threshold for saving as much as you can until it hurts (using paycheckcity and other methods)
• How The Luxe Strategist saves money in an HCOL
• Whether or not FI is a goal for her

Check out the sponsor for this episode, YNAB and sign up for a free 2-month trial!

At the end of the podcast, I also talk about the waitlist to the soft launch of my monthly membership program. Get monthly tips, tools, and classes to help you launch to Financial Freedom. Click here to sign up and be the first to be notified when the doors open in Summer/Fall 2018.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• The Luxe Strategist Blog
• The Luxe Strategist's plan to purchase a Cartier Tank Watch
• How Luxe Strategist saved half of her income on a less than 6-figure salary
• Paycheckcity.com
• 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
• My One on One Money Coaching Services – Get my personalized 1on1 money coaching expertise to help you reach your financial goals
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with The Luxe Strategist:

• Instagram: @theluxestrategist
• Twitter: @Luxe_Strategist

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group

Finding the perfect resource for sound financial advice can be a challenge for people from all walks of life. 4-time Olympian, 3-time Olympic medalist, Lauryn Williams understands this challenge completely. As the first American woman to medal in both the summer and winter games, she possessed the skills that led her to be a top class world class athlete but she didn't always know how to manage her money and made some mistakes along the way. She sought the financial advice of loved ones and financial advisors but they were unable to provide the help that she needed.

In true Olympian fashion, Lauryn took matters into her own hands and worked hard to gain control of her finances. Using the skills and knowledge that she gained from earning her Finance degree and MBA, Lauryn decided to use her talents to help other athletes and young professionals.

Today, Lauryn has a Certified Financial Planning certification and has founded Worth Winning, a financial planning resource for young adults. Worth Winning offers virtual services to help young professionals get the answers to the financial questions that matter most to them.

This episode was recorded live at Podcast Movement 2018. At the end of the podcast, I give you a little of the behind-the-scenes of how I ended up speaking at Podcast Movement 2018 and my overall experience at the conference.

In this episode we discuss:

• Lauryn's background
• How she became an Olympian at 20 years old
• Her not so good experience working with financial advisors in her pro athlete career
• The steps she took to get back in control of her finances
• Why she decided to start her own financial planning firm plus so much more

At the end of the podcast, I also talk about the waitlist to the soft launch of my monthly membership program. Get monthly tips, tools, and classes to help you launch to Financial Freedom. Click here to sign up and be the first to be notified when the doors open in Summer/Fall 2018.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• Worth Winning
• Listen to Lauryn's podcast Worth Winning
• 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
• My One on One Money Coaching Services – Get my personalized 1on1 money coaching expertise to help you reach your financial goals
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with Lauryn:

• Instagram: @lauryncwilliams
• Twitter: @LaurynCWilliams
• Facebook: Lauryn Williams Official

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group

Talking about money can sometimes seem taboo, but not to Amon and Christina Browning. On their YouTube Channel, Our Rich Journey, they cover everything from earning to investing with the sole purpose of demystifying the concept of money to get everyone talking about it.

They joined the FI community to expand their knowledge of money and how it can work for them. On Our Rich Journey, they share their money successes and mistakes with their viewers to inspire others to become creative on their journey to Financial Freedom. Today, Amon and Christina currently work and live abroad in Japan with their two little girls and they travel around the world for practically nothing–mortgage-free.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why the Brownings decided to pursue Financial Independence
• Their current financial picture and financial goals
• Why they prioritize traveling and how they work it into their budget
• Travel hacking tips
• How they lived rent free and mortgage free for 10 years
• Finding work abroad
• Quick ways anyone can make extra money
• When the Brownings will reach FI and their future life and financial goals

At the end of the podcast, I also talk about the waitlist to the soft launch of my monthly membership program. Get monthly tips, tools, and classes to help you launch to Financial Freedom. Click here to sign up and be the first to be notified when the doors open in Summer/Fall 2018.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode:

• How to Make Money - 8 Side Hustles You Can Start Today Video
• Family Lives Rent Free for Ten Years Video
• How We Saved $10,000 on a Vacation to Europe by Travel Hacking Video
• 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
• My One on One Money Coaching Services – Get my personalized 1on1 money coaching expertise to help you reach your financial goals
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with The Brownings:

• YouTube: Our Rich Journey
• Instagram: @richjourney
• Twitter: @ourrichjourney
• Facebook: Our Rich Journey

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group

I am super excited because today we are celebrating the one year anniversary of the Journey To Launch Podcast! For the past year, I have been able to share my thoughts, advice and feature amazing financial experts all to help you eliminate debt, save more money and increase your net worth. Your support truly means the world.

What better way to celebrate Journey To Launch's 1-year anniversary than by discussing episode favorites with a few Journeyers? In this episode, I take a few call-ins from special Journeyers who share what their favorite episodes are and why.

I talked about the most popular/downloaded so far:

Episode 41-How To Change Your Mindset, Habits & Beliefs To Reach Your Financial Goals w/ Jim Fortin

Episode 48- From Unemployed and Broke to a Millionaire in 5 years w/ Grant Sabatier

Episode 19- The Pillars of FI & How you can Reach Financial Independence

I love all of my episodes but here are just a few of my favorites:

Episode 47 -Sylvia's Journey To Paying Off 6 Figures of Law School Debt & Becoming Financially Independent

Episode 6- Improve Your Mindset & Stay Focused on Your Financial Journey

Episode 20- A Money Chat With My Husband + The Budget Boot Camp

Special thanks for the Journeyers who called in to leave a voicemail- Nassema, Jocelyn, Courtney, Heitor, Lynn & Esperenza.

At the end of the podcast, I also talk about the waitlist to the soft launch of my monthly membership program. Get monthly tips, tools, and classes to help you launch to Financial Freedom. Click here to sign up and be the first to be notified when the doors open in Summer/Fall 2018.

Nominate me as Podcast of the Year, Best FIRE Podcast & Community Builder at the 9th Annual Plutus Awards. Just enter in my website www.journeytolaunch.com to nominate me in the following categories at the 9th Annual Plutus Awards; Podcast of the Year, Best FIRE Podcast & Community Builder. Nominate me here.

Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this 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
• My One on One Money Coaching Services – Get my personalized 1on1 money coaching expertise to help you reach your financial goals
• YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 2 month trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.

Connect with me:

• Instagram: @journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: Journey To Launch
• Join the private Facebook Group