What I Wish I Knew Before I Started Building Wealth
Peep this: if I could go back and talk to my younger self before I really started my financial journey, I wouldn’t have just tossed her a budget sheet and said, “save because it’s important.” I would’ve sat her down, held space for her curiosity, and said: there’s more to wealth than just numbers. And there’s definitely more to money than hustle.
Here’s everything I wish I knew back then—so you don’t have to learn the hard way.
1. Wealth Isn’t Just a Number
This is foundational to my work as a holistic wealth coach. Wealth isn’t just about stacking six figures in your bank account. It’s about how you feel—how safe, supported, and in alignment you are with your values.
For the longest time, I thought I just wanted to make as much money as possible. I didn’t care how much was “enough”—I just didn’t want to be broke. But chasing the numbers without knowing why left me burnt out and disconnected. And truthfully, I probably could’ve saved a lot more if I wasn’t caught up chasing what society told me was aspirational: beauty standards, the next hot travel destination, designer bags, constant dining out.
I’m a foodie, so eating out was my thing. And every meetup with friends was centered around a restaurant—until I realized joy doesn’t have to come with a $30 price tag. Now? I meet up for park walks, museum visits, or cozy nights in. Low-cost doesn’t mean low-vibe.
And let’s not forget: money is more than currency. It’s time, energy, resources, relationships. It’s the abundance already surrounding you. If you don’t feel wealthy now, more money won’t magically fix that. That’s why your financial goals have to be rooted in self-awareness and nervous system safety—not just dollar signs.
If you want to learn more about building a full ecosystem of abundance, check out my video on [How to Build a Wealth Ecosystem].
2. Start Sooner, Even If It’s Small
If I could go back to 16-year-old me—the girl who just landed her first job—I’d tell her: you don’t need to wait. Even $20 saved or invested at that age could’ve snowballed thanks to the magic of compound interest. And don’t get me started on how painful it was realizing that I could’ve paid off a car or even most of university had I started investing earlier.
I first heard about investing in high school, but it didn’t feel real. It wasn’t until university that I finally decided to teach myself. And even then, I didn’t feel confident. But confidence is built through action. It’s never too early. It’s never too late. And it doesn’t have to be perfect.
That’s also why I’m passionate about educating the next generation. If I have kids, I’ll start saving and investing for them from day one. Then when they’re old enough to work, they’ll already have a head start—and the financial literacy to keep going.
3. Wealth Is Deeply Personal
Everyone values different things. For some, buying a house is the dream. For others, it’s freedom to travel, live simply, or pour into their community. So ask yourself: are you building wealth based on your values or someone else’s checklist?
Wealth is not one-size-fits-all. When you get clear on what truly matters to you, your spending, saving, and investing become aligned—and resentment disappears. I used to think I had to want what everyone else wanted. Now? I’m content walking my own path. And I want that for you, too.
4. Set Goals, But Stay Flexible
I’m a Capricorn with a Gemini rising, okay? I love a good plan. But one of my biggest lessons has been learning to surrender. Hustle culture will have you believing everything must happen on your timeline, exactly how you pictured it. But sometimes the universe has better plans.
I’ve been scammed before—yes, even as a financial coach. I got caught up in a crypto scheme chasing fast money. I ignored my gut and paid the price. I share this not out of shame, but because I want you to know: it’s okay to slow down. In fact, it’s wise to slow down.
Wealth built slowly is wealth built to last.
That’s why I follow Warren Buffett’s long-term investing approach. Buy and hold. Be patient. You don’t have to become a millionaire overnight to be on track. Focus on building a sustainable relationship with money, one that leaves room for joy, detours, and divine timing.
5. Collective Wealth > Individual Riches
You’re not free until we’re all free.
I truly believe that our liberation is tied to one another. It’s not enough for me to be wealthy if the people around me are suffering. We rise when we lift others. Period.
And I don’t just mean your friends or family—I mean your community, your city, the people you pass by on the street. The more inequity there is, the more disconnection, distrust, and yes, crime. If you live in a neighborhood with rising crime, ask yourself: how are you showing up? How are you reinvesting your privilege?
I’m not here to preach socialism or capitalism. I’m here to preach compassion. If you’ve got a roof over your head and food on your table, you’re already rich in ways many aren’t. And what if we all committed to ensuring that at a minimum, every human has those basic needs met?
6. You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Start
I’m not perfect. I don’t even love calling myself a coach sometimes. I’m not here to sit above you—I’m here to walk with you. I’m still learning too. But if I can share something that saves you time, money, or emotional burnout? Then I’ve done my job.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to take one step. Today.
And if you’re ready for that step, I’d love to invite you to my free masterclass: From Financial Confusion to Clarity.
In this workshop, I’ll walk you through the three biggest mistakes I see people make when trying to build wealth, and how to correct them using my signature pillars of:
Mindset (release shame + scarcity)
Financial Literacy (build clarity + strategy)
Aligned Wealth Creation (create systems that work with your life + energy)
This is the exact framework I use in my private coaching and my Wealth Well course. No fluff. Just the real tools that can help you stop spinning your wheels and start moving forward. 💻 Register free here
And if you’re not sure where your money is going, start with my free Wealth Well Tracker.
You can grab it here: 📊 Download the tracker
You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to be wealthy yet. You don’t need to know everything. You just need to be willing.
Willing to unlearn. Willing to explore. Willing to imagine a new definition of wealth that feels true to you.
I hope this reflection supports you wherever you are on the journey. And I hope you take a moment to ask yourself: what do I wish I knew sooner?
Because your wisdom is worthy, too.
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