I often joke that Americans are batsh$t crazy. This is the type of joke that only an American can make, with love. Where you see all of the amazing things that we do and are capable of…and then notice where we drop the ball. Blogging about money for as long as I have gives me a lot of time to think about and observe financial realities in the U.S. And, on occasion, I drop some truths unrelated to top 10 lists and great recipes on the blog-because it’s important for me not to lose sight about why I continue blogging about money. Because it matters. Because there are whole groups of people who have no “bootstraps” to pull themselves up by. And, because not everyone has the energy to deal with all of the financial crap that comes their way…because they’re done.
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Time for Some Truth
The truth is some people might not ever get out of the financial reality that they’re in. No matter how hard they try. I thought about this today during a conversation with my mom. During the conversation I mentioned that people have equal access to information. But, she pointed out that they might not have equal access to opportunity…even with the same information. Why?
- A person’s car breaks down and they’re just getting by. So, they aren’t able to work because they’re living paycheck to paycheck.
- A person has a ridiculous amount of smarts…but, they don’t have the right contacts and aren’t sure where and how to start networking.
- A person loses a tooth and can’t get it fixed because their dental insurance covers only so much. And, let’s face it-Americans judge people who have missing teeth.
Sometimes working hard isn’t enough. That hard work has to connect with:
- Emotional support-for those moments when you’re feeling down.
- Opportunity-There is a ridiculous amount of opportunities out there, but many people are emotionally exhausted before they connect with their opportunities. Not everyone can try 9,999 times like Thomas Edison and make a lightbulb the 10,000
- Luck-The whole opportunity plus hard work connecting with luck is true. All three of those very random events have to come together.
What YOU Can Do
Fortunately, there are things that you can do to help connect people with their American dream (will share mine in a second). Here are some actions that you can take to help move people forward. These actions are mostly free, take very little time, and make you feel good.
- Listen to people’s dreams-When they share them with you. Have you kept a dream to yourself because you felt like no one would respect or believe in your vision for yourself? Having someone actively listen to my dreams has validated them more than false platitudes.
- Connect People With Resources-This is one of my favorite things to do. I love telling people about free or cheap resources that will help people move faster towards their dreams. If people hadn’t shared resources like the ones listed below, I’m not sure how my life would look right now. I make a point of sharing resources all the time. The resources listed below are specific to my personal interests-but you get the idea.
- FinCon and Podcast Movement-Incredible communities of people who’ve shared their wisdom, kindness, and energy with me. There are other online based communities that you could share with people who are looking for a community.
- The Commons on Champa- A Denver based free space for start ups. It has an incredible amount of resources, energy, and great people that I love hanging out with as I navigate entrepreneurship.
- The Freelancer’s Spark-A national freelancers community with a local Denver chapter that I (and other FinCon people) attend throughout the year.
- The library-Of course I knew about the library. But, many people might not know about “The Library of Things” resources such as a podcast recording studio and other types of equipment that can be used to create whatever you would like to create.
- Connect People with Other People-This one is huge. It’s not just about what you know-it’s also about who you know. Help people who are hustling connect with people who can get them “over” the finish line.
- Share-What people are working on! It’s incredible when people tell me that they’ve shared something that I’ve worked on. It’s an incredible feeling. Sometimes you are connecting people with tools and resources that they need (and will pay for!) your friends will love you for fostering these connections.
These are all free actions that you can take to help move people towards their American dream.
My American Dream
To be honest, I’m pretty close to living my American dream. Except, there are a couple of areas I need help with and continue to work on.
- Fall in Love! I’m looking forward to meeting “the One” I wonder what our story will be?
- Lose 30lbs-I’m working on that now! Be gone extra weight, be gone.
- Time-With the people that I love. Isn’t that what life is all about?
- $100,000 a month-Seriously, I love passive income and my long-term goal is to hit those numbers. So, I’m going to be bold and ask my fabulous readers to share the blog posts that they love! I need more eyeballs on these posts. I’m going to be the Black equivalent of Michelle Schroeder-Gardner-for realz.
- All owed monies and expenses paid off-I’m getting closer…but, not close enough. I’m thinking I have another two years of my debt payoff journey. Sigh. But, it’s just another two years.
- Starting My Own 501 (c) 3– I’ve had a non-profit idea for several years (that I would run as a for profit). I would like to change people’s lives here in Colorado.
- F.I.R.E. in Four-Financial Independence Retire (Optional) Early in four years. I would like to hit F.I.R.E. in 2021 (which is trippy to write out). As I whittle down my debts I realized that it was time for another big financial goal-this is it!
Dream Big
It’s important to me to encourage people to dream bigger than it feels like they should. There is something to be said about attacking life with a boldness that many keep reigned in. What are your big dreams? How have other people helped you work towards them?
Get Your Money Manifesto
I created a money manifesto. For those of you who want to:
- Earn more money
- Be debt free
- Make epic passive income
- Help people with your wealth
And, need to have your goals validated-I hear you!
Want to Start a Blog?
I love blogging! It has been an incredible experience, transformed my life, and connected me with a ton of amazing people. Blogging is a pretty cheap activity and I recommend hosting your blog with Siteground. Many bloggers have begun leaving HostGator and BlueHost and moving to Siteground. Myself included! Read why I’m leaving HostGator and BlueHost (I have 2 blogs one on each hosting platform) and moving to Siteground.
If you’re a new blogger Siteground will cost around $3.95 a month (depending on the size of your audience). They have great customer service and tutorials on how to host your new WordPress blog on Siteground.
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Oh man time is the biggest one for me. I HATE obligation. Seems reasonable the things you want. I want to own a house. That’s something new that has popped in my radar in the last year or so. Not in LA though! lol!
Time is huge for me!! I just want to do what I want with my time. I understand that for the next couple of years I have to dig in deep. And, that’s ok. Love that you’re looking to buy a house. L.A. is crazy expensive.
“I’m going to be the Black equivalent of Michelle Schroeder-Gardner” LOVE THIS! You’ve got that right!
I’ll admit that I don’t really share my dreams with others. The moment they hear about my blog they write it off as just a hobby…hmph. I just keep pushing because all you need is one person to believe in yourself and that one person is you.
I agree that not everyone will have the same opportunities and I am hoping to help bridge that gap one day (I also want to start a 501(c)3-we’re dreaming big right?!).
I’m really fortunate that I’m in a Mastermind group and just know people who really “get” what I’m dreaming about. BUT, I used to be around people who would talk down my dreams and I couldn’t share what I was dreaming about with them. Had to kick those people to the curb (whenever possible). You’ve got this!!
Girl, I’m reading this post and I feel like you are my long lost best friend. Everything you’ve said here are things that I’ve said to myself or to friends and even on my blog! WE even have the same dreams!!!
And I totally agree with connecting people with people. Yes, it’s true that its not always what you know but who you know. However, I also say that it’s what who you know knows you know. It’s very possible that you already know someone who can take you closer to your dreams but that will never happen if you aren’t open about those dreams and what you are capable of.
It really bothers me how people aren’t prioritizing spending time with (and connecting with) other people. What’s the point of existing alone? Sometimes it feels like my American dream is both complicated and ridiculously easy. No debt, cash, and freedom. That’s it.
I love that $100,000 goal. I like how you said you want to be the black equivalent to Michelle Schroeder- Gardner. You’re also the first Michelle Jackson too! At one time I wanted to be the first ____, but now I just want to be the first JB. We can make it happen.
This!!