Slower, Wealthier, Happier

There was a time when I thought I had it all figured out. I followed the traditional middle-class playbook to a T: saving $1,000 for emergencies, building a “high-yield” savings account (even if that yield was barely 2%), and feeling proud that I was doing what I was supposed to do with my money.

I was diligent. I was responsible. And yet, I wasn’t building wealth.

It hit me during one of those “rainy days” that savings accounts are supposed to prepare you for. My car broke down, and the repair bill came to just over $900. My emergency fund came to the rescue, but once the bill was paid, I was back at square one—zero. The very thing I had worked so hard to build was wiped out in one fell swoop. And the kicker? The next emergency wouldn’t wait for me to replenish that fund.

That was the moment I realized something had to change.

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Rethinking Money in a Changing World

The world we’re living in now isn’t the one we were taught to save for. Wages haven’t kept up with inflation, prices are skyrocketing, and systemic barriers continue to make it harder for Black women to get ahead financially. Add in the rollback of DEI initiatives under the current administration, and it’s clear: we can’t afford to wait for equity or opportunities to be handed to us. We have to create them for ourselves.

For years, we’ve been told to save, save, save—but savings alone won’t build wealth. It won’t provide financial security. It won’t give us options. To truly rethink money, we have to shift from hoarding what we have to growing what we have.

And that means investing.

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Why Savings Isn’t Enough

Don’t get me wrong—having a savings account is important. It’s foundational. But here’s the thing: saving is defensive. It protects you when things go wrong, but it doesn’t help you get ahead.

Here’s why:

1. Savings Lose Value Over Time:
   • Inflation eats away at your money’s purchasing power. That $1,000 emergency fund today might only be worth $950 next year.
2. Low Returns:
   • Even in a high-yield savings account, your money grows slowly—if at all. Meanwhile, the cost of living continues to climb.
3. You’re Stuck in a Cycle:
   • Like me, you can save for emergencies, but when one hits, you’re back to zero. It’s a constant game of catch-up.

Investing, on the other hand, is offensive. It allows your money to work for you, growing and compounding over time.

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Breaking Into the Investment Space

I get it—investing can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve never done it before. For so long, we’ve been shut out of these spaces, told we don’t belong, or made to believe it’s only for the wealthy. But let me tell you something: that’s a lie.

You don’t need to have a lot of money to start investing. You just need to start.

Here’s how:

1. Take Stock of Where You Are:
   • Find out where all your accounts are—savings, 401(k), pensions, or anything else. Understanding what you already have is the first step to knowing what’s possible.
2. Start Small:
   • You don’t need thousands of dollars to invest. Apps like Robinhood, Acorns, and Stash allow you to start with as little as $5.
3. Learn as You Go:
   • You don’t need to know everything about the stock market to begin. There are free resources, online courses, and even books that break it down in simple terms.
4. Focus on the Long Game:
   • Investing isn’t about quick wins; it’s about building over time. Think of it as planting seeds that will grow into something bigger.
5. Find Community:
   • Join conversations with others who are learning about investing. Spaces like Wealthy Women Conversations are perfect for sharing knowledge, asking questions, and supporting one another.

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The Power of Investing: A Personal Shift

When I finally made the leap into investing, I felt both terrified and empowered. Terrified because I was stepping into unfamiliar territory. Empowered because I knew I was giving myself the chance to grow beyond what I thought was possible.

I started small, putting just a little money into a brokerage account. I watched YouTube videos, read articles, and leaned on friends who had already started their investment journeys. And then I started to see it—the slow but steady growth that savings accounts could never offer.

The biggest difference? When an emergency hit, I didn’t have to start over from zero. I could withdraw from my profits or dividends if needed, while the rest of my investments continued to grow. I wasn’t depleting my resources; I was leveraging them.

That’s the power of investing.

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This Isn’t About Fear—It’s About Intention

I don’t want you to read this and feel panicked or pressured. This isn’t about fear; it’s about intention. It’s about recognizing that the systems we’ve relied on—savings accounts, traditional 9-to-5s, hoping for raises—aren’t designed to create wealth for us.

We have to take control of our financial futures.

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It’s Time to Rethink Money

So, let me ask you:

• Do you know where your money is?
• Are you giving it the chance to grow?
• Are you letting fear stop you from stepping into spaces where your money can work for you?

If the answer to any of these is “no,” it’s time to pause, rethink, and make a change.

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Take Action Today

Here are three steps you can take right now:

1. Start Small:
   • Open an account with a brokerage app and invest $50 in an index fund. Watch how it grows.
2. Educate Yourself:
   • Spend 15 minutes a day learning about investing—whether it’s a podcast, a book, or a conversation with someone you trust.
3. Join the Community:
   • Surround yourself with people who are on the same journey. Join spaces like Wealthy Women Conversations to share knowledge and get support.

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Final Word: You Deserve Financial Freedom

Rethinking money isn’t about abandoning everything you’ve known—it’s about expanding what’s possible. It’s about shifting from survival mode to wealth-building mode.

We can’t wait for equity. We can’t wait for the system to change. But we can change how we approach our money and our future.

And it all starts with that first step.Are you ready to let your money work for you? Let’s make it happen—together.