Oh, hey, it’s 2021. And honestly, after the wild year that we had last year I would be lying if I said I wasn’t look at 2021 side-eyed. What in the hell will happen next? If you’re sitting in your house reflecting on the previous year and are nervous about asserting your dreams in 2021 listen on. In this episode I’m going to share why now you need to dream the big dreams and some lessons that I learned from last year.
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This year I’m publishing my first personal finance book “Not a Financial Unicorn.” If you’d like to get money tips from Michelle, stay in the loop on when the book will be released or are interested in attending the next “Money on the Mountain” event sign up below. You can also go to https://michelleismoneyhungry.com/connect for more information on the other resources that I offer.
Show Notes
If you’re listening to this episode and specifically live in the United States. You have survived a hell of a year. I don’t want to list it all because you know what we’ve all been dealing with for the past 12 months. Regardless of your age, my feeling is that you’ve gained a hell of a lot of perspective about life. All those questions that we ask ourselves:
- What next?
- When is it my turn?
- What am I waiting for?
I’m thinking and hoping that you’ve reflected on those questions. I know that I have. One of my favorite things to do is to work on a Vision Board. Now, this is not for everyone, but it gives me an excuse to really dream and envision the life that I want for myself moving forward. Then, I create a 1, 3, and 5 year plan. I’ve done this most of my adult life and it has been an incredible way to move towards the life that I want and achieve the goals that I want to achieve. However, there is one thing that I accidentally stumbled on.
The time is always now.
The time is always now for your dreams, your goals, your hopes, and whatever else you’re wanting. I think we all realized that life is precious but a pandemic puts everything in STARK focus.
I’ve said it more than once in the last two years that Slow F.I.R.E., something that I stumbled upon accidentally, was the best thing that ever happened to me. No, this episode is not going to be about Slow F.I.R.E. However, I do want you to think about how you’re living your life.
- Who are you spending your time with?
- What are you spending your time on?
- Where is your energy going?
Right now I need you to ruthlessly audit your life and be honest about what you want moving forward. That friendship where you’re giving everything. Let it go. That significant other who is incredible-hold on tight. That significant other who’s a douche-drop them like a hot potato. That job that sucks out your soul? Start looking for a new job. You don’t owe them anything.
Be Clear About What You Want
This will sound a little woo-woo but, you need to be REALLY clear about what you want. Be really specific about the following:
- What you want
- When you want it
- Who you want to have in your life.
- How you want to design your life.
My vision board process gives me the opportunity to unapologetically want what I want for myself. And, I’m putting you on notice now that things will be different moving forward for me. I’m having a “holy sh$t I’ve so far survived a pandemic and a fascist coup” realization.
What I Learned Last Year
- Believe people when they show you how they are the FIRST time.
- Knowing how to make money outside of a 9-5 is a skill everyone needs to learn. Whether that looks like:
- Babysitting services
- Yard work/landscaping
- Phone repair
- Cooking Services
- Cleaning
- Writing freelance content/books/etc.
- Teaching a skill
- Sewing
- Driving
- You need to know how to quickly make money in the event the sh$t hits the fan.
- Language matters-I remember when American citizens were called American Citizens vs. American Consumers. It’s much easier to give American Consumers $1800 of money than giving $1800 of money to American Citizens for almost 12 months of expenses during a pandemic. I will be 107 years old and never forget how the American Government from the President down pulled a Marie Antoinette and told American citizens to eat cake. Again, remember what people showed you the first time.
- Your Dreams are Important-Even if no one else understands them. Do you want to be a 45 year old San Diego Chargers cheerleader? Go for it! Do you want to live overseas for a minute? Go for it! Do you dream of being a speaker? Start! Is there a dream town that you would like to live in? Start planning that move. I think about the 300,000+ Americans with unfinished dreams and goals that have run out of time to live them. Don’t let that be you.
- Here’s the link to the “Want to Move Abroad? Here’s What You Need to Know” episode
- Don’t second guess your timing-As a GenXer I hear this a lot from people both older and younger than me. I hear people asking if they are too old or too young to do whatever it is that they would like to do. Now is the time.
- To begin researching
- To find the right tools to start
- Take action
- Life continues on
- Integrity matters
- Opportunity always exists…but, not for everyone.
- There are a lot of people who need to do the following:
- Read the book 1984 and watch the movie
- Take a civics class
- Volunteer during elections in order to understand how voting actually works
- Watch the movie “In Time” with Justin Timberlake. It’s a really interesting take on the concept of time.
I’ve learned a number of other things but I want to keep this episode short.
On Opportunities in 2021
I planned on talking about opportunity during the New Year at another time, but I think now is the best time.
- The Pandemic is beginning it’s long wind down. We’ve begun the vaccine rollout but the US will clearly be, in my view, the last Western Nation to get out of this COVID mess.
- It’s clear that work, entertainment, travel, and the hospitality business will be different. Think about the opportunities within this new reality. Some ideas:
- People still want to be entertained
- People still want to go out and eat
- We want to travel and the second half of 2021 is going to start taking off in the travel space (Pun intended)
- Co-working spaces are going to jump in popularity
- Every place will need a patio-Construction!
- I’ve already watched a number of new businesses launched during this time. Even restaurants. While I’m not one to launch a restaurant is it possible that you could leverage a ghost kitchen? For other people who enjoy a bricks and mortar experience how can you create a pop up that optimizes a cool space that needs some cash coming in? My point is if you’re in the position to take a calculated risk this may be the time for it.
- Online is having a moment. How can you teach a skill? Sell a product? Or, leverage the internet to get people in front of a good that you’ve created?
Michelle’s 2021
Finally, I thought I would share a few of my goals and plans for 2021.
- Michelle is Money Hungry-I still really enjoy working on the content for this project. Moving forward I’ve decided to be very intentional about sharing the following three types of content pillars.
- Personal Finance-There are a lot of people who are in need of ideas, inspiration and support.
- Financial Equity related content
- Financial Allyship
- Personal finance and policy
- Entrepreneurship
- For me these three content pillars reflect my journey to entrepreneurship.
- I would like to host 1 or 2 in person Money on the Mountain Brunches. One would be in Denver and the other location is likely going to be Philadelphia. Both would likely happen sometime this fall. I would also like to host online conversations or sessions throughout the year as well focused on women’s money. I actually have a theme that I would like to use as a framework for that content.
- I’m working on my first personal finance book and my goal is to publish it sometime in May. Yes, I plan on self-publishing it.
- Teach other amazing people how to earn money online selling what they already know. I currently do this in a number of ways and they include:
- Bringing people together to connect
- Being a financial ally
- Business Coaching
- Selling courses
- Sharing expertise in books
- Being a podcast guest and host
- And the list goes on.A lot of what I do is through teaching others.
- Spend. Time. With. PEOPLE! UGGH! I’ve actually spent time with people but I need more LOL!
- Have a solid 6 figure year.
As difficult as last year was, in many respects, I had a pretty solid year with the exception of the global pandemic, fighting fascism, and social unrest. What that reality tells me is that two very different experiences can be true at the same time.
Movie Mentioned
In Time
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