Think starting your own business and becoming a recognized personal brand while working full-time sounds impossible? Then you haven't heard Codie Sanchez's story yet.

Long description:

Time and time again, I get people asking me how the heck I managed to work full-time for 5 years while growing my side hustle. Looking back after now being self-employed for over 4 months, I don't really know. All I can say is I hustled like crazy because deep down I knew I was working towards something big and special.

The same can be said for Codie Sanchez who not only head's the Latin American & Offshore Sales division of First Trust, but is an entrepreneur on the side. She founded the company ThreadsRefined back in 2015, and now is focused on growing her personal brand as an influencer, podcaster (she hosts The Struggle Isn't Real show), keynote speaker and investor. And she's still in her 20s!

The big takeaway I got from interviewing Codie was that there really are no limits besides the ones we place on ourselves. Just look at most of the really successful people around these days. Most of them started from the bottom and worked there way to the top. And now with access to more information, more resources and more opportunities than ever (thanks to the internet!), it's that much easier to build a business of your own or set your sights on becoming a leader in your field.

As a woman, this has always been something I've struggled with believing. I always knew I was meant for a leadership role in some capacity, but to be honest, there aren't that many female role models out there to emulate. Hopefully that'll be concept of the past in the near future, because with inspiring female entrepreneurs like Codie, it's becoming clearer that the sky is the limit if you don't mind working hard, taking risks, doing things that scare you and never giving up.

Check Out Codie's Best Blog Posts

• Don't Be Afraid to Ask for What You Want
• Care Over Commerce: Build a Brand & a Life That Matters
• Become an Influencer, Go Viral, Create a Tribe

Follow Codie on Social

• Check out Codie on Instagram
• Follow Codie on Twitter
• Subscribe to Codie on YouTube

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/107

Want to become a millionaire, but don't think you'll ever earn a crazy salary? Millionaire Teacher author Andrew Hallam shares why it's not how much you earn, it's how much save and invest that's truly important.

Long description:

I don't normally, or ever, get excited about investing books. Since I started the podcast, you wouldn't believe how many authors, agents and publishers infiltrate my inbox with their latest investing book they like me to check out.

Hey, it's nice to get free books to check out, but I've got limited time and I can really only sit down and spend time with the books I know my blog readers and podcast listeners will love to. Millionaire Teacher by Andrew Hallam is one of those books. To find out more about the book and what you can expect to learn when reading it, check out my book review.

I think the single most fascinating thing about Andrew's book is that his strategy for investing and becoming a millionaire isn't anything we haven't heard before. He preaches living within your means, not spending like a millionaire before you are, and sticking to simple index funds and ETFs for your portfolio. Then just be patient and consistent. That's it!

There's no such thing as a get rich quick strategy that's not a total scam, and the only way to truly build wealth is by being mindful with your money and intentional with your spending. It's that simple.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that I whipped through his book in a weekend and then couldn't wait to tell the world about it. His book actually made me realize "Hey, if he can do it on a teacher's salary, my husband and I can do it as two self-employed people." We're still young, we've moved our investments over from actively managed mutual funds to low-fee ETFs, and we're making a very conscious effort to curb our spending and living a frugal lifestyle.

I'm not exactly sure if we'll be able to attain millionaire status like Andrew did at 38 (that's only 8 years away), but you never know! I'll just be happy if we can achieve that in our late 40s or 50s, and I'm excited to put Andrew's tips into practice to help us get there.

Also, in case you're scratching your head about the giraffe photo I mentioned at the end of the episode, when I was emailing Andrew to set a date to chat for the podcast, he was travelling around Kenya. Because he's awesome, he shared this really cute photo of himself getting headbutted by a giraffe and I literally laughed out loud when I got it. So there you go!

Check Out Andrew's Books

• Millionaire Teacher: The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School
• The Global Expatriate’s Guide To Investing – From Millionaire Teacher to Millionaire Expat

Andrew's Investing Book Recommendations

• The New Coffeehouse Investor: How to Build Wealth, Ignore Wall Street, and Get on with Your Life by Bill Schultheis
• The Lazy Person’s Guide to Investing: A Book for Procrastinators, the Financially Challenged, and Everyone Who Worries About Dealing With Their Money by Paul Farrell
• The Smartest Investment Book You’ll Ever Read: The Simple, Stress-Free Way to Reach Your Investment Goals by Daniel Solin
• The Elements of Investing by Charles Ellis
• How a Second Grader Beats Wall Street: Golden Rules Any Investor Can Learn by Allan Roth

Follow Andrew on Social

• Like Andrew on Facebook
• Follow Andrew on Twitter

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/106

I chat with popular personal finance personality Kerry Taylor from Squawkfox about how she got into the personal finance sphere and why she's a big advocate of the second-hand economy.

Long description:  

Kerry Taylor's blog Squawkfox was one of the first personal finance blogs I stumbled upon when I was starting my personal finance journey in my early 20s. And now, so many years later I got the chance to chat with her on the podcast all about her own journey from computer science student, to living in rural British Columbia, to moving back to her hometown of Toronto, to now being a constant voice in The Globe & Mail and CBC.

One of the big reasons I really wanted to have Kerry on the show was because she has an awesome sense of style, but she doesn't break the bank to stay fashionable. She's a huge advocate of the second-hand economy, and it all started with trying to save money when buying clothes for her daughter. When she discovered that there were a number of consignment shops and Facebook groups dedicated to buying and selling quality second-hand goods, she got hooked. And pretty much convinced me (and you once you listen) to start taking advantage of the second-hand economy too!

Thanks so much Kerry for chatting with me and sharing your insight and story with me!

Kerry's Top Blog Posts

• How to get married for $239
• Make a Starbucks Frappuccino for $0.32
• The cost of collecting
• 6 Words That Make Your Resume Suck

Follow Kerry on Social

• Join Kerry on Facebook
• Follow Kerry on Twitter
• Subscribe to Kerry on YouTube

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/105

Mindfulness and money may have more in common than you think. Just listen to Leisa Peterson, founder of the Wealth Clinic, explain how both have changed her life.

Long description:

You may not think that mindfulness and money have anything to do with each other, but that just means you haven't yet listened to this episode with Leisa Peterson, Found of the Wealth Clinic and podcast host of the Art of Abundance.

Leisa has an incredible story about having an ultra successful career in the financial industry, but also making the tough decision to leave it all to start her own coaching business to take control of her life again. It's a big misconception that with a rising career and increasing salary, happiness is sure to follow. But that's not usually the case if you're not doing what you feel called to do in life. And sometimes taking a risk and doing something out of the ordinary can seem scary and even foolish.

But, it can also be your saving grace. It's funny, when I was recording this episode with Leisa back in the fall, I was going through a similar crisis, weighing the pros and cons of leaving my corporate job to start my own business. I was terrified at the prospect of no guaranteed income and possible failure, but I knew it was the only choice because I was absolutely miserable and not doing what I felt I was called to do in this life.

And now, so many months later, I'm releasing this interview with Leisa having taken the plunge and am so glad I made the choice to leave my job. We talk a lot about fulfillment in this episode, probably because it was something I was seriously lacking at the time. But now, I can honestly say I feel more fulfilled than I have in years. I may not make as much money as I did at my 9 to 5, but somehow I feel wealthier than I ever have before.

Thanks Leisa for the wonderful interview and insight into how mindfulness and money should always mix!

Helpful Resources & Events by Leisa

• Free 5 Part eCourse – Money and Mindfulness
• Infinite Abundance Mindfulness Challenge
• Breaking Free to Abundance In-Person Retreat

Leisa's Top Podcast Episodes

• You Are Worth It with Amanda Steinberg
• Breaking Free of Scarcity Beliefs
• Journal Your Way to Abundance with Kim Ades
• Learning to Forgive with Kathryn Eriksen

Follow Leisa on Social

• Join Leisa on Facebook
• Follow Leisa on Twitter
• Connect with Leisa on LinkedIn
• Follow Leisa on Pinterest

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/104

I talk money, balance, travel, entrepreneurship and more with millennial financial life coach Garrett Philbin (one of the happiest, most positive people I know!). 

Long description: 

If you're looking for an upper of an episode, something to get you pumped to tackle your life and finances, my guest Garrett Philbin, financial life coach of at Be Awesome, No Broke, is just what the doctor ordered.

He doesn't just have the perfect radio voice, he literally exudes positivity. It makes sense why he ditched his career in the music business to focused all of his energy and talent in to helping others with their money and life issues.

And similar to what I'm doing right now, he's on his way to becoming an Accredited Financial Counsellor. I may have convinced him after recording this episode back in the fall to look into the American version, and now he's on his way to finishing the program.

We talked about a lot of awesome things in this episode, including Garrett's jump into entrepreneurship, his soul-searching road trip and the deeper reasons why we all struggle with money. Seriously, if after listening to this episode you feel like this is the time in your life that you need to ask for help, Garrett is definitely someone who will be there if you ask.

Garrett's Top Blog Posts

• Why Your “Obstacles” Mostly Aren’t
• Seven Steps to Making Your Money Matter
• How Creating A Morning Routine Saved My Life
• You Don't Need a Plan

Follow Garrett on Social

• Join Garrett on Facebook
• Follow Garrett on Twitter
• Check Out Garrett on Instagram
• Follow Garrett on LinkedIn

What's Your Money Personality?

I mentioned checking out my money personality quiz in this episode, and you can do so right here: jessicamoorhouse.com/quiz

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/103

A special bonus podcast episode for you! I recently did a Facebook Live session with Lisa Gittens, senior tax expert from H&R Block, and I got a ton of requests to make the audio into a podcast episode. So here it is! Lisa answered tax questions live for 30 minutes, and we got some great questions too. Enjoy!

It is possible to live debt-free and prosper financially while self-employed, and podcast listener Christina from Toronto shares how she was able to do it.

Long description:

Not many people can say they got their first job at the young age of 5 years old, but my Listener Series guest Christina from Toronto isn't like many people. She had a firm grasp on how to earn money from a very young age, which helped her when she started learning about personal finance in university.

As she embarked on her career as a freelancer in the film and TV industry, she started realizing that there was more to being financially savvy than just knowing how to earn an income. Now, having been self-employed for 10 years, she shares the tips and tools that have helped keep her out of debt and on a path to financial freedom for anyone else living on a variable income with dreams of financial stability.

Helpful Tip

Pay yourself first.

You may have heard this tip a thousand times, but that's because it works! It's Christina's top money tip, and honestly mine too. All paying yourself first means is allocating your income to your savings goals first, then living on whatever's left. If you're not doing this right now, I promise it'll change your life. A great way to start would be to download my free budget spreadsheet.

Join a Facebook Group

Christina mentioned that a big help in getting her finances on track was to join personal finance Facebook groups. They are great to learn what other people are doing with their money and to be part of a community that also wants to better their financial situation just like you. Here are some of my top picks!

• Money Life Balance group
• Her Money Matters
• The Busy Budgeters
• Investing and Personal Finance Club

Want to Be a Guest on My Show?

Got a story that you think would be good to share on an episode on of Listener series? Please email me!

Helpful Resources

I spent a good amount of time the past few years creating resources to help you with your money, life and adding more balance into the mix. Check them out on my resources page.

Are you ready for tax time? If not, that's okay because I've got the podcast episode that's perfect for you! For episode 101, I chat with senior tax expert Lisa Gittens from H&R Block about how to prepare your return, how H&R Block professionals are trained, why their online software is free, and what are some of the top tax tips people need to know before filing their taxes this year.  

One thing I highly recommend before getting started on your taxes is to download my free tax preparation checklist. It's a checklist that outlines all the documents you may need to hand-off to your tax preparer or that you'll need when filling out all your info online.

Sign Up for a CRA Account

One of the best things you can do to make doing your taxes a breeze is by creating an online CRA account. You can change your marital status, name and direct deposit info in just a few seconds online when you've got an account, plus it's also a great way to easily see what your RRSP room is and it also houses all of your past tax returns.

Helpful Tax Resources from H&R Block

• Earned a small amount of income? Here’s why you should still file a return
• Managing a rental property? Here’s what happens to your taxes
• If you like free money, you’ll love RESPs
• NETFILE for the win

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/101

To mark my 100th episode, I talk with fellow podcaster Elle Martinez about money, relationships and how to tackle money as a couple.

Long description:

Can you believe we're already at 100 episodes? I'm kind of in awe honestly. What a journey it has been, and what a great interview I've got to share to mark this milestone.

For this episode, I chat with a fellow female podcaster and blogger, Elle Martinez from Couple Money. Make sure to check out her awesome Couple Money Podcast too, she's an amazing podcast host!

We talk about her story of figuring out how to manage their money together before getting married, and how this eventually inspired her to start her own blog and podcast to help other couples tackle their money. We've all heard the stats, money is one of the biggest reasons couples break up. But if you have open communication, are working towards the same goals and both feel involved with the family finances, that's how you can set yourself up for success.

Elle offers some sage advice and great examples of couples she's interviewed who have overcome some major obstacles. Basically, after listening to this episode, you'll feel just like me and want to set up your next money meeting with your partner pronto!

Elle's Top Blog Posts

• Free & Cheap Date Nights for Couples
• Getting Your Spouse to Save More
• Take the $20 Date Night Challenge!
• Let’s Start Travel Hacking Together!

Follow Elle on Social

• Join Elle on Facebook
• Follow Elle on Twitter
• Check Out Elle on Instagram
• Follow Elle on Pinterest

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/100

Podcast listener TJ Pridonoff shares with me how he saved up enough to do a roadtrip across America (and quit his job to do it). He proves that you don't have to be rich to go on a trip of self-discovery in the U.S., you just need to be smart about how you spend your money.

Long description:

For this episode of my Listener Series, I interview TJ Pridonoff who is currently on a road trip of self-discovery across America.

I'm telling you, if ever you hit a point in your life that you feel unhappy, too settled or just need some sort of change to figure out what you want out of your life, travel is always a good solution. When I was 18 and went to Gambia, I had so much clarity when I got back in terms of what I wanted to study in school and do for a career. And after travelling around Thailand for 3 weeks, I came home confident that leaving my job and moving to Toronto was the right answer. I wonder what I'll discover on my next long trip?

Anywho, TJ realized not too long ago that he needed a change and to figure out what he really wanted out of life for himself. He'd already gone to school and had a good stable job, but he wanted something more. So he decided to leave his job and take a road trip across the United States to satisfy his travel bug and to help him get some clarity for his future.

And he's on that road trip now! The best part is, from a personal finance standpoint, he's proven that to do something like this doesn't mean it'll cost you a ton of money. Especially doing a road trip across the U.S., there are a ton of towns and cities you can stay in for really reasonable prices. The key thing to remember is to have enough cash on hand so you don't run out, budget strategically (so do you research ahead of time), and don't spend your money on stuff. Spend your money wisely to get the most out of your trip.

If you want to see where TJ is right now and how his trip has been so far, make sure to check out some of his latest blog posts:

• Nomadic Leisure Doesn't Work for Me
• 3 Weeks of No Work
• Slow Travel - Overrated or Worth It?

Thanks TJ for sharing your story with me, and looking forward to reading more about your travels! 

Want to Be a Guest on My Show?

Got a story that you think would be good to share on an episode on of Listener series? Please email me!

Helpful Resources

I spent a good amount of time the past few years creating resources to help you with your money, life and adding more balance into the mix. Check them out on my resources page.

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/99

Ever thought about diving into real estate investing? All your questions are guaranteed to be answered by Real Wealth Network co-founder, real estate expert and author Kathy Fettke in this episode. I ask her almost every question under the sun including how to find a downpayment, how to choose the right property and whether it's smarter to become a landlord or a house flipper. If you want to become more knowledgeable about real estate investing, you need to listen to this episode.

Long description:

Ever thought about diving into the real estate investing world? I always have, which is why it was such a treat to talk to real estate expert, author and Real Wealth Network co-founder Kathy Fettke. Finally, I had someone to ask my many real estate investing questions to (and if you listen to the episode, you'll know I had a ton!).

The biggest takeaways I got from my interview with Kathy was that the real investing game is largely about risk, trust and knowing when to say "yes" or "no". There are so many real investing programs out there that will try to sell you a dream that isn't actually achievable, spew outdated information or charge you 5-figures for access to their investing "secrets".

Don't buy into this! And Kathy would agree. Real estate investing is not about getting rich quick, it's a long game. It means buying the right property at the right time, then renting it out, holding onto it for a number of years, then choosing to sell it at the right time.

She even suggests you'll make more money by becoming a landlord than trying to flip a property. Flipping may seem like the trendy thing to do with so many shows on HGTV dedicated to the practice, but in the end you won't make as much as renting out your place, and getting those renters to essentially pay your mortgage.

I know I still have a lot to learn before my husband and I decide to buy our first investment property, but I'm glad many of my questions about how to get started are now answered!

Learn More About Kathy

• How & Why She Started the Real Wealth Network

Kathy's Top Podcast Episodes

• Fastest Appreciating Real Estate Markets in the U.S.
• What Type of Commercial Real Estate Will Thrive in 2017
• How Election Results Are Affecting Home Buyers and Sellers?

Check Out Kathy's Book

• Retire Rich with Rentals by Kathy Fettke

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/98

Colton from Newfoundland chats with me for this episode of my Listener Series to share how he was able to find an employer that not only helped him earn a salary while being a student, but also to pay for his Bachelor's degree!

Long description:

I'm so glad Colton from Newfoundland emailed me to be a guest for my Listener Series, because I certainly missed the few weeks without Listener Series episodes, how about you?

What I loved about this interview is that Colton offers some very practical and actionable advice on how to go to university without relying on student loans. I'm almost ashamed to say I'd never thought about finding a job while in university that could also help pay for it!

Looking back, now I see there were and are so many options to make money as a student that also extra perks. As Colton mentioned for instance, if you work at Starbucks you don't just get a free pound of coffee a week, you also get stock options after a few years. And if you're a server or bartender, you get tips (which could add up to a lot). And many cell phone companies offer special bonuses, commissions on top of pay and other benefits too.

Thanks again Colton for chatting with me (even if you did have to talk a bit slower for me, and I thought I talked fast!). I know your story will help so many other students (or future students) listening!

Want to Be a Guest on My Show?

Got a story that you think would be good to share on an episode on of Listener series? Please email me!

Helpful Resources

I spent a good amount of time the past few years creating resources to help you with your money, life and adding more balance into the mix. Check them out on my resources page.

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/97

Want an example of how an emergency fund can come in useful? How about two examples? Kate Dore from Cashville Skyline shares how her's saved her big time.

Long description:

Who knew an emergency fund could save your life not once, but twice! So is the story of Kate Dore from Cashville Skyline which she shared in full detail for this episode of the podcast. 

Talk about someone who turned lemons into lemonade! Most people would begrudge their bad luck when faced with two layoffs in 10 years, but not Kate. Instead of complaining or just struggling through it all, she took it as a big lesson in becoming financially prepared. Which later turned out to be her big passion, which is why she's now on the road to becoming a financial planner.

If there's only one thing you can take away from this episode, it's this - life happens, so have an emergency fund just in case. I've certainly been thankful for mine on more than one occasion in my life, that's for sure. Not only that, having an emergency fund is hands down the first thing I tell people to set up as they start their personal finance journey. It may not be fun or sexy, but having one will literally save your life!

I'm excited to see where Kate ends up after becoming a full-fledged Certified Financial Planner, but until then it looks like she's been busy the past few months creating some great blog posts and personal finance courses. I've linked them below so you can check them out.

Join Me on the Self Worth to Net Worth Challenge!

Also, as I mentioned, myself, Sarah Li Cain from High Fiving Dollars and Tara Falcone from ReisUP have come together to create a unique 21-day challenge to combine our expertises in money mindsets, budgeting and investing. You'll get an email once a day for 21 days giving you a full outline on what you need to do to feel empowered about your money and take action!

<< Register to take the challenge now >>

Kate's Top Blog Posts

• How I Boosted My Credit Score Above 800
• Quitting Your Job? Start Preparing Your Finances Now
• How to Survive on a Bare Bones Budget

Helpful Resources by Kate

• Free Budget Makeover Mini-Course
• Destroy Your Debt: Take Control of Your Financial Life Course
• Side Hustle Your Way Out of Debt Course

Follow Kate on Social

• Like Kate on Facebook
• Check Out Kate on Instagram
• Follow Kate on Twitter
• Subscribe to Kate on Pinterest

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/96

I interview my American twin in Tess Wicks, a fellow blogger and host of the personal finance podcast Words + Money. For this episode, we chat about it all include making your own money, switching careers and not being afraid to lean in.

Long description:

Like I mentioned at the beginning of this episode, Tess Wicks is my American twin. And what good timing for this episode, on International Women's Day!

For this episode, Tess and I chat about it all including making money, being a financially independent woman, switching careers, becoming self-employed and not being afraid to speak up and lean in.

We actually got the chance to hang out at FinCon this past fall, and she is just as delightful in person as she sounds in this episode. And there have been quite a few changes since I interviewed her. Instead of switching her brand to Wander Wealthy, she's switching to Creative Profit Co., with a focus on helping businesses as well as individuals with their finances.

I know I could just be saying this because we're so alike, but I see some big things coming from this girl. She's just so passionate about helping people, I know she's going to make a great difference in so many people's lives.

Take the Get Your Financial Life Right Challenge

• Sign up right here to start my free 10-day email course that'll teach you the most important things you need to do to fix your finances.

Some of Tess' Best Blog Posts

• How To Create Passive Income With Rental Properties
• A Day in Monaco on a Budget
• The Capsule Wardrobe: How to Cleanse Your Closet
• What You Don't Know About Your Credit Card Balance and How Interest Works

Follow Tess on Social

• Like Tess on Facebook
• Check Out Tess on Instagram
• Follow Tess on Twitter
• Connect with Tess on LinkedIn

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/95

Personal finance isn't just about money. It's about emotions, habits, triggers, mindsets and relationships. I chat about this and more with money storyteller Sarah Li Cain.

Long description:

Personal finance isn't just about money. It's about emotions, habits, triggers, mindsets and relationships. Many of these aspects of personal finance are explored with Sarah Li Cain, author at High Fiving Dollars, in this podcast episode.

Sarah, a fellow Canadian now living in the U.S. with her husband and son, isn't just another personal finance blogger. She's a money storyteller on a mission to teach others about how your actions can truly affect your finances in ways you may have never thought.

Take her story for example. Throughout most of her life she was a "Yes Man." Always saying yes when asked for help and putting herself second to provide for those she loved. This doesn't sound so bad, that is until someone takes advantage of your kindness. Which was the case for one of the relationships she was in, where she found herself stuck with $9,000 in debt after the breakup.

Sarah doesn't want this to be your story, and she shares more thoughtful pieces of advice in our interview. Not only that, she's developed a number of great resources to help you on your personal finance journey I've listed below.

Take Sarah's Spending Triggers Course

Sarah's recently created a two-week course all about the triggers that make us overspend and generally mishandle our money.

If you want to learn how to curb your spending (and find out why you’re doing it in the first place), sign up to take her course. You won't be disappointed!

I was lucky enough to preview her course before she officially launched it, and thought it was a really great and unique program that I knew listeners of my podcast would enjoy.

Register for Sarah's spending triggers course here.

Sarah's Top Blog Posts

• How You Can Use Money Wisely to Make Your Life Happier
• I Worked Hard to Declutter 90% of My Stuff – Here’s What Happened
• Women, It’s Time to Rise Up and Own Your Financial Prowess

Helpful Resources by Sarah

• Cha-Ching! A Money Coloring Notebook: An Adult Coloring Notebook (Companion Book)
• Money Relationship Rescue: 5 Part E-Course
• Money Mindset Quiz
• Figure Out Your Spending Triggers Course

Follow Sarah on Social

• Like Sarah on Facebook
• Check Out Sarah on Instagram
• Follow Sarah on Twitter
• Subscribe to Sarah on YouTube

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/94

Saving for your retirement is simple. As Fritz Gilbert from The Retirement Manifesto shares, it all comes down to starting early, spending less than you make, and keeping to it.

Long description:

As I mentioned at the beginning of this episode, lots of us young people don't start thinking about planning for our retirement, well...until it's too late. Which isn't a good thing.

It may be difficult wrapping your head around something that won't happen for another 40 or 50 years, but the only way to make sure you'll actually be able to relax and enjoy your retirement is if you start thinking and planning for it as early as possible.

Fritz Gilbert, the blogger behind The Retirement Manifesto, joins me for this podcast episode to share what he's learned about retirement over the years and how he is only a few years away from his early retirement at 55.

Make sure to check out the links below for more helpful resources and tips on how you can start taking action now so you can rest easy later.

Fritz's Advice on How to Retire Early (or Well)

Spend less than you make, and do it for a long time.

Learn More About Fritz's Retirement Manifesto

• About Fritz
• His Top Personal Finance Resources

Fritz's Blog Posts You Need to Read

• The First 6 Steps to Financial Wealth
• The Retirement Manifesto — How It Started
• Top 5 Regrets People Have On Their Deathbeds (& How To Avoid Them In Your Life)

Follow Fritz on Social

• Like Desirae on Facebook
• Follow Desirae on Twitter
• Check Out Desirae on Instagram
• Subscribe to Desirae's YouTube Channel

Learn How to Save Money with LowestRates

• My interview with LowestRates CEO Justin Thouin on saving money by comparing rates

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/93

It doesn't matter where you started from, Lisa shares her story that you can rise above and live the life you always wanted by learning from your mistakes and putting the work into it.

Long description:

Ever since my husband and I watched Tony Robbins in the documentary I Am Not Your Guru a few months ago, we've become major Tony Robbins fans. Whenever we need a pick me up, we just turn on his podcast and immediately get inspired.

Yesterday, I was working all day at home and I decided to leave the house to clear my head. I turned on his podcast to get me out of my funk, and you know what it was all about? The theme was changing your story to change your life. If your story is you're fat, well if you stop making excuses and start eating better and working out, you'll change your life. If your story is you're poor, stop complaining that you were born with less and figure out a way to make more money.

Which is exactly what Lisa talks about in our interview together. She started out in a lower income family living in a trailer park. She was told she wouldn't be able to go to college or live a different life when she was an adult, and for a while she believed it.

But then something clicked and she realized that where she came from wasn't her destiny. And she is living proof of this by graduating college, working a high-paying job and buying a home like she always dreamed of.

If you're looking for a good kick in the pants podcast episode to give you that push to stop complaining and start doing, this is it!

Make sure to also check out Lisa's own blog documenting her personal finance journey at Mad Money Monster.

Lisa's Best Blog Posts About Her Personal Finance Journey

• All The Jobs And All The Mistakes Before We Were Mr. & Mrs. MMM
• The ORIGINAL Tiny House
• How We Avoided Massive College Debt
  
• My Single Biggest Financial Mistake: A Decade-Long Disaster

Want to Make Some Changes in Your Financial Life?

Sign up for my free Get Your Financial Life Right 10-day email course! If you want to fix your finances, this is the perfect way to get started, motivated and educated about exactly what you need to do.

Helpful Resources

I spent a good chunk of the past few years creating resources to help you with your money, life and adding more balance into the mix. Check them out on my resources page.

Want to Be a Guest on My Show?

Got a story that you think would be good to share on an episode on of Listener series? Please email me!

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/92

You don't have to be rich to travel the world and buy a home in an expensive city. Esther from NZ Muse proves you just need to be smart with your money.

Long description:

It was such a pleasure chatting with Esther from one of my favourite personal finance blogs NZ Muse. I've been following her only her own personal finance journey for years, and I'm so glad I was able to finally chat with her one-on-one for this episode. Not only that, she's the first non-North American guest I've had on the show!

This episode is all about Esther sharing how she eventually got to a place in her life where she was able to afford to leave work to travel the world for 6 months and also buy a home in the incredibly expensive city of Auckland.

Esther's story isn't some crazy story either. She was able to make something most of us only daydream about a reality simply by be strategic with her career and her money.

Similar to me, Esther started out working in the media/journalism business. What used to be a thriving and exciting industry is one that has devolved since Facebook and YouTube became major players. It's sad, because journalism is so important (especially with all the fake news floating around), but also like me, she eventually realized that if she wanted to grow in her career and make a decent living, she needed to change course.

That's when she decided to move into more a content marketing role, and was able to save up $10,000 to for her 6-month trip. She was able to take a leave of absence for work, but she was also financially prepared to have to look for a new job after her travels.

Everything worked out pretty well, because after her bucket list trip she was able to save up another big chunk of money to buy her first home.

You see, nothing sensational or unattainable in her story. She just made smart choices! She saw that there was a ceiling in her industry so she switched careers to make a better living. She wanted to fulfill her dream of travelling for a long stretch of time, so she lived frugally and saved up enough cash to do it. She wanted to buy a home to have a nice roof of her head and to build some equity, so she hunkered down once again and saved up enough for a down-payment.

The message here is that if she can do it, anyone can do it. You just need to work hard, make smart financial decisions, maintain focus and take action.

Some of Esther's Best Posts

• How to break the cycle of underearning (because you're worth it)
• What my Asian parents taught me about money
• The best decision I ever made
• My first love was a practice run
• Demystifying the introvert

Check Out Esther First Free Course!

• Great timing for me to share our podcast episode together because Esther just released a 5-day email course all about how to reclaim your money mojo! Make sure to sign up to her free email course to get out of your money rut.

Follow Esther on Social

• Like Esther on Facebook
• Follow Esther on Twitter
• Check Out Esther on Pinterest

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/91

Want to learn how to set yourself up for financial success before graduating university? Listen to my interview with podcast listener Allison about how she'll be able to graduate almost debt-free.

Long description:

If you want to set yourself (or your kids) up for success, it is crucial to understand the consequences of taking on too much student debt. Yes, it is one way to be able to afford a post-secondary education which in turn could lead to a job with a good salary...but it could also hurt your chances of living a life that's not tied down to years of debt-repayment.

For this episode, I chat with one of my podcast listeners Allison from Manitoba, and she shares what she's done so when she graduates she'll only have a few small amount of debt to pay off. This includes her working year-round and during the summers, living extremely frugally, and not using all the student loans she was granted.

She is one financially savvy 21 year old, let me tell you. And I know from personal experience because she did pay attention to her finances during university, she'll have a much easier time after graduation.

Being debt-free (or close to it) after graduating will not only offer you more freedom and opportunities, but you'll realize that you've already got some great financial habits. You'll also be able to achieve some of your financial goals sooner and build wealth quicker thanks to the magic of compound interest.

One resource Allison mentioned a few times, and inspired her to take on this frugal lifestyle, was Mr. Money Mustache. He's actually Canadian (woot woot!) and is mentioned by listeners all the time, so make sure to check out his stuff!

I also mentioned in this episode that I interviewed my sister who graduated university almost a year ago. Here's the video of our interview (and she said she was nervous to do a Facebook live stream with me, ha!).

My Interview with My Sister About Money After Graduation

Listen to the episode I recorded with my younger sister just after she graduated university: http://jessicamoorhouse.com/53

Join the Community

I mentioned at the end of the episode that I have a private Facebook group all about Money. Life. Balance. We're over 500 strong, and I'd love for you to join us!

Helpful Resources

I spent a good chunk of the past few years creating resources to help you with your money, life and adding more balance into the mix. Check them out on my resources page.

Got a story that you think would be good to share on an episode on of Listener series? Please email me!

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/90

Desirae Odjick, the blogger behind Half Banked, shares her personal finance journey and best money tips for saving and investing for millennials.

Long description:

I know I said Desirae Odjick, the blogger behind Half Banked, is like a mini-me, but I think what I really meant is she's like a sister from another mister. Once we started chatting, it's like we'd already knew each other, and it was such a treat for me to interview her after following her blog for so long.

In this episode, we talk about it all. We touch on how her mom paid her to read personal finance books (which sounds like a dream, but I'm obviously a huge nerd), why she started her blog, how she's on a journey to save half her income, and how she budgets the "low tech" way with a good ol' budget spreadsheet.

We also talk a bit about investing, something I think a lot of millennials are afraid to start because they're either afraid of the risk or just don't know where to start. Luckily, Desirae created a great foundational (and free) course to get anyone started on their investing journey. She also mentions that she invests with Wealthsimple, one of the leading robo-advisors in Canada, which is one route you may want to look in to. And if you sign up with Wealthsimple, you can get a $50 bonus when you sign up with them.

Desirae has a number of other super helpful resources to help anyone just starting out with taking control of their money, so I've listed them all below.

I've also recently made a free email course, called the Get Your Financial Life Right Challenge, that goes through all the basics of personal finance in 10 days. Sign up to get your first email right away!

Helpful Resources You Should Check Out

• The One Minute Budget
• Zero to Investing Hero
• Desirae's Fav Money Tools

Follow Desirae on Social

• Like Desirae on Facebook
• Follow Desirae on Twitter
• Check Out Desirae on Instagram
• Subscribe to Desirae's YouTube Channel

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/89

You don't have to be rich to look fabulous! Podcast listener Christina Proctor shares how anyone can dress for success without breaking the bank.

Long description:

When podcast listener Christina Proctor emailed me about her story and how she became a style coach, I knew I needed to chat with her for a Listener Series episode. I am probably the least fashionable person around, but that doesn't mean I want to be! So When Christina said she could share her expertise on building a solid wardrobe on a real person's budget, I got pretty excited.

Right now, Christina is a style coach as a side hustle (learn more about her at WearOutThere.ca), which I think is awesome. It started out as a passion for fashion and a hobby, developed into a money-making side hustle, and she hopes in the future to turn it into a full-time business.

It's not easy having two jobs (don't I know it!), but as Christina shares, it can also we incredibly rewarding. She's not just having fun and making money on the side, she's also helping women and men find their true personal styles and showing them how to do it without bursting their budget.

Christina shared a number of great tips in this episode, so make sure to check out some of her key pieces of advice below.

Tips to Stay Frugal & Fashionable

• Stay away from trends, stick with timeless pieces.
• Shop for your body shape so you don't buy pieces you'll never wear after buying them.
• Buy pieces that meet your goals. Is your priority to look your best at the office? Then invest in quality pieces for work, and then be more of a minimalist for your off-hours wardrobe.
• Shop consignment. You can find some great quality and unique pieces at a discount by doing so.
• Always shop with a list.

Join the Community

I mentioned at the end of the episode that I have a private Facebook group all about Money. Life. Balance. We're over 500 strong, and I'd love for you to join us!

Helpful Resources

I spent a good chunk of 2016 creating resources to help you with your money, life and adding more balance into the mix. Check them out on my resources page.

Got a story that you think would be good to share on an episode on of Listener series? Please email me!

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/88

Borrowell co-founder & CEO Andrew Graham shares his expertise on what everyone needs to know about credit scores and borrowing in Canada

Long description:

If you have any questions about credit scores, I guarantee you that they'll have been answered by the end of this episode. I was so fortunate to have been able to interview Borrowell co-founder and CEO Andrew Graham for this episode, because he really is the credit score guru!

Not only did he start one of the fastest-growing Fintech companies in Canada, he also really knows his stuff and gave me quite the education. Which makes it quite obvious how his passion for financial literacy and offering Canadians better options for borrowing led him to co-found Borrowell.

After working for several years in the banking industry, Andrew realized that Canadians were getting into deeper and deeper debt with sky-high interest rates holding them back. He wanted to find a solution that would save people from paying 19.99% interest on their credit card, but still be able to borrow to help them when they really needed it.

We get into more detail about why he started Borrowell, what his company's mission is all about, and most importantly why it's so important to have a firm knowledge of credit and borrowing before you take out any type of loan.

Here's a break down some of the key things we talked about in this episode, with some additional resources so you can know your stuff before you get out your next loan.

Key Things to Know About Credit Scores

• Credit scores can range from 300-900. Just like a letter grade, the higher your score the better you are (though it's uncommon to actually achieve a perfect 900).
• The average credit score amongst Canadians is 749.
• Even if you have a "bad" credit score, you can improve with a few simple changes.
• Simple changes to improve your credit score include making consistent payments on your credit cards and bills and not always hitting the top end of your credit card limit.
• Your credit score can update as soon as the next day.

More Helpful About Credit Scores

• Does It Hurt My Credit When I Check My Rate or Score?
• Credit Utilization: The Credit Score Tip Most Canadians Have No Idea About
• What Is A Credit Score And Why Does It Matter?
• Do you know your credit score? Canada’s new mortgage rules make it more important than ever

Get Your Free Credit Score

Want to find out your credit score for free without dinging it? You can now thanks to Borrowell. As I mentioned in this episode, I checked mine after my interview with Andrew. The last time I checked my credit score was when I was getting pre-approved for my mortgage. At the time it was in the high 700s, but when I checked again this time it had gone up to the low 800s (which is quite high for your reference. I even impressed Andrew!). Make sure to check yours at bwll.co/momoneypodcast.

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/87

Leona joins me for the first Listener Series episode for 2017. She shares her unconventional story of leaving home at 17, starting her career in the trades, owning her own condo at 20, and eventually starting her own construction company and real estate empire. Now, she's happily raising her family and considers herself semi-retired, with the flexibility of working for herself.

Long description:

Episodes like this make me so happy I started this Listener Series on the podcast. Leona was a listener of the show and heard my call out for guests. She sent me the best email with her story that included her moving out on her own at 17, going trade school to start her career, buying her first condo on her own at 20, then eventually starting a construction business and property investment side-hustle with her husband.

She is a great example that you don't need to go to university to set yourself up for success. What it ultimately comes down to is being smart with your money, working hard and never giving up.

Now, Leona considers herself semi-retired and is focused on adding more properties to her portfolio while raising her family and adding more balance to her life.

I think that's one of my favourite parts of our chat together. When she talked about getting up early to have that personal development time, making working out a priority, and doing her daily gratitudes...basically it was everything I needed to hear to get me to do it too. It's easier said than done, and it can be hard when life gets busy, but scheduling those things into your day like Leona does is so important. 

Thanks so much Leona for sharing your story and being such an inspirational guest!

Book Leona Mentioned

• The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM)

Interested in Getting Started with Robo-Advisors?

Leona mentioned she recently moved away from high-free mutual funds and is exploring different investment strategies like index fund and ETF investing. She also mentioned getting into the new trend of using robo-advisors, so I wanted to share two that I personally recommend if you're looking to do the same.

• Wealthsimple - This robo-advisor is available to both Canadians and Americans, and is seriously simple to use. The whole process to get started will take less than 10 minutes and when you sign up using my special link (wealthsimple.com/jessicamoorhouse), you'll get a free $50 bonus!
• Justwealth - Another great robo-advisor for Canadians is Justwealth. They're whole brand is centered around justice and delivering amazing service and results. And if you sign up with them at justwealth.com/jessica-moorhouse, you'll also get a $50 bonus to get you started. You can also learn more about them when you listen to my podcast episode with President of Justwealth Andrew Kirkland.

Helpful Resources I Mentioned to Help You Get Your Money & Life on Track

• My Crazy Simple Budget Spreadsheet
• Net Worth Spreadsheet
• Mortgage Interest Calculator
• Mortgage Preparation Checklist
• The Ultimate Moving Out Checklist

Got a story that you think would be good to share on an episode on of Listener series? Please email me!

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/86

Former gambler turned personal finance coach Beau Humphreys shares his story from drowning debt to financial free.

Long description:

It was a random weeknight when I went to the Wealthsimple headquarters in downtown Toronto for their 3rd anniversary party. I was told there would be a donut wall, and I was not disappointed.

Aside from the free donuts and drinks, I got to meet Beau Humphreys. I thought I knew all the Toronto personal finance bloggers, so it was a treat to meet Beau and hear his story at the party. Immediately I knew he had to be on my show.

This episode is very different from any of my episodes, because it deals with a topic that I think most people wouldn't be as brave to openly discuss. Luckily Beau was happy to share his story of getting addicted to gambling at the young age of 11.

There's a slogan by the BC Lottery (where I'm from) that's always stuck in my head: "Know your limit. Play within it." Good advice for sure, but let's get real here. Most people who frequent casinos or the race track on a regular basis know their limit, but are incapable of playing within it. Gambling is as serious an addition as alcoholism or drug addiction. And I think it's incredibly important for anyone dealing with something like this to recognize this and find the help they need.

That's exactly what Beau did. He got professional help and it changed his life. He found out that his addiction stemmed from him having undiagnosed ADD. With that knowledge, he was able to turn his life around.

And now look at him! He's travelling to Kenya for vacation and teaching others how they can get over whatever obstacle to achieve financial freedom.

It's a happy coincidence I'm releasing this episode on Bell Let's Talk Day, which is all about talking openly about mental health. And for that reason I'm going to include some helpful links anyone is looking for someone to talk to.

Helpful Resources

• Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline (Canada)
• Find a Treatment Centre in Your Province (Canada)
• National Council on Problem Gambling (USA)

Quotes to Live By

Money problems usually having nothing to do with money. They're about something else in your life that you need to work on [...] Somebody giving you a bunch of money or you making more money isn't going to fix those things.

Money can't buy you happiness, money can't fix your problems.

You're problems probably have nothing to do with the fact that you have debt. You have debt because you have problems.

Episodes You'll Want to Listen to After This

• Episode 49: Everything You Need to Know About Bankruptcy with Doug Hoyes
• Episode 64: Finding Your Roadmap to Financial Wellness with Jason Vitug

Check Out Some of Beau's Best Blog Posts

• Why Are You Saving Your Money?
• My Journey with Wealthsimple
• Deferred Sales Charges Kicked Me Where It Hurts

Follow Beau Humphreys

• Follow Beau on Twitter
• Like Beau on Facebook

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Show notes: jessicamoorhouse.com/85

Helena Liu wanted to learn from Canada's top investing experts — so she started her own online conference to get 20+ of the best together to share their knowledge with her & other Canadians.

Long description:

I met Helena this past summer because she was looking to add speakers to her roster for her first online investing summit — the Canadian Investors Conference. I suggested a few of my favourite Canadian experts, and now several months later the conference is just a few weeks away and registration (which is free by the way) is open to the public.

It's no easy task to start your own conference from scratch, but Helena knew that this was something she had to do. There's a huge lack of education when it comes to investing, especially for beginners, so Helena wanted to create a free summit to help close that gap.

Right now, there are 24 speakers and the online conference runs from Feb. 4 - 9, 2017.

You can register for free at canadianinvestorsconference.com.

More About Helena

Helena started learning and experimenting with investing after graduating university. She started with mutual funds but then start day trading. In the end, she realized that index investing was the right strategy for her, but she was surprised that there wasn't that much information about it online and that most people didn't know all of their options.

That's why she started the Canadian Investors Conference. She wanted to create a free, online event accessible to everyone to educate Canadians about all the ins and outs of investing and building their wealth.

Investing Books You May Want to Check Out

• The Lazy Investor by Derek Foster
• Wealthing Like Rabbits by Robert Brown

Don't Forget to Register (It's Free!)

• Click here to save your seat for the Canadian Investors Conference

For more podcast episodes, check out the podcast page.

Shownotes: jessicamoorhouse.com/84