Episode 389: How Cassandra Increased Her Income by $10k & Improved Her Money Mindset REWIND

Cassandra Henry 0:02

Creating the goals that I have for myself now, like it's way beyond the goals that I saw like I created, like last year, two past two years ago, I know I'm worthy of more, and I see abundance and everywhere now, you know, not just money, like I know I am worthy of more. T minus 10

Jamila Souffrant 0:19

seconds, welcome to the journey. To launch podcast with your host Jamila souffrant as a money expert who wants her talk she helps brave journeyers like you get out of debt, save, invest and build real wealth. Join her on the journey to launch to financial freedom in 54321, you. One,

hey, hey, hey, journeyers, welcome to the journey to launch podcast. I'm your host. Jamila souffrant, I hope you've been enjoying these episodes. I've been toying around in basically doing a summer rewind episode. So these were episodes that were previously aired on the podcast, but that were mentioned as case studies or references in my book, Your journey to financial freedom. We had episodes based on debt payoff financial independence, and now I'm just going to sprinkle in some fan favorite episodes and some of my personal faves. So you're gonna hear some of those episodes for the next couple weeks. I really hope you've been enjoying what you've been listening to. If you want to check out my book, which I hope you've already gotten, but if not, that's fine. You can pick it up now. Head over to your journey to financial freedom.com to see where you can find it. It's available everywhere, Amazon, Walmart, Target, Barnes and Noble, your local book store, basically everywhere. Head over to your journey to financial freedom.com, to pick up the book now. Happy listening. And I hope you enjoy these episodes today I have on someone who I've known for a little bit now. Her name is Cassandra, Henry, and she is in the thick of her financial independence journey, and you'll hear how she is making strides and paying off debt and investing in herself and more of her story. I'm always impressed with Cassandra, because even just when I first met her and she became my one on one coaching client and then proceeded to take some of my offerings, and she's in the launch club and the money launch club now, she always shows up. She puts the work in, and it's reflected through her progress. So I wanted to invite her on the show so she can share what she's learning on her journey and things that you can do and apply to your own financial freedom journey. If you want the episode show notes for this episode, go to journey to launch.com or click the description of wherever you're listening to this episode in the show notes, you'll get the transcribed version of the conversation, the links that we mentioned, and so much more also, whether you are an OG journeyer or brand new to the podcast, I've created a free jumpstart guide to help you on your financial freedom journey. It includes the top episodes to listen to, stages to go through to reach financial freedom resources and so much more you can go to journey to launch.com/jumpstart to get your guide right now. Hey, journeyers. I'm really excited. I know I'm I always say I'm excited, but I really, I'm really excited this time to have this guest on the podcast. I have Cassandra Henry, who I've known for I feel like a long time, and go through how we met in our relationship, and really, primarily, I really wanted you on this podcast, Cassandra, because I feel like so many journeys can relate to your story and how you're navigating your financial freedom journey. So Cassandra, welcome to the podcast.

Cassandra Henry 3:51

Hey, Jamila. I'm so happy to be here. Just to give a

Jamila Souffrant 3:55

background, Cassandra and I met because you had first reached out to me for one on one coaching and so I coached you and helped you through some of your just like financial roadblocks that you had, and we've always kind of kept in touch since then. And now you're a member of the launch club, and so we'll talk a little bit about that, but I really want to highlight your story, if we can about just where you are financially and how much you've actually accomplished, you know, since starting your journey, I want to, like, highlight that and then help people along their path. So first, let's start where you currently are financially. Like, are you in debt? How much debt do you have? Where are you on your financial journey?

Cassandra Henry 4:36

Yeah, so right now, I really only have student loans. I was able to, like, pay off my credit card debt. So, so far, I'm just trying to pay off my student loan debt. So it's all like, I have over $25,000

Jamila Souffrant 4:50

in student loans. You live in New York City, right? Yes, the Bronx, the Bronx, and you're a teacher, yes, right? And so. Let's go back a little bit when you first got away, what first made you aware that you wanted to get financially free? Like, what was that turning point for you? And at that point when you realized it how much debt did you have, or what was your situation like back then?

Cassandra Henry 5:14

Yeah, so it was in the summer of 2017, I was working summer school at the middle school that I was working at before, and I was learning more about finances. I just because I became, like, the breadwinner of my family, so I was able to feel like I do have to, like, manage my money. So I was talking to this co worker, and he was and he told me about Dave Ramsey. I never heard of Dave Ramsey, and he told me about the baby steps. And that was the time I was paying off credit card that, and I was able to pay off credit card debt because of the baby steps. What Dave Ramsey was telling me, and through that, I learned, oh, wait, so I got it, got the ball rolling, but I still wasn't aware of the financial world. I wasn't aware of, like, what was this is a real deal. It was when I watched the documentary The minimalist. I don't know if you heard of it, yeah, minimalist. And I thought, Oh, wow, this is really cool. And then it got me into being a minimalist, of financial minimalists, because I learned. I got into the Podcast Movement and everything. So it was just a learning I kept learning that year, and I'm learning and learning. And then 2018 was when I took, like, the tools that I've learned, into

Jamila Souffrant 6:26

action, right, right? Like you said when we first started working together, you know, you for being young, right? If you want to share your age, you're still pretty young, right? 25 right? Now, 25 and to be the breadwinner of your family, you know, you have a lot riding on you. And I think that's the case for especially, like, a lot of especially like immigrant, like, so first generation, I know you from Dominican Republic, right? And so oftentimes, like, a lot of things fall on you because you're expected to do more. And then, like, the older generation is not, is not as versed, right? And sometimes don't even, like, speak fluent English to, like, navigate this world. I know my husband's father doesn't you know he's Haitian. They're Haitian. He doesn't speak English really that well. So it's really, like, a lot of pressure on, like, the kids and like the people who are in the family that can really do more. So I know that has impacted your journey, right?

Cassandra Henry 7:17

Yeah. And I'm the middle child. I do have an older sister, which I love dearly, and she took the role academic, like, academically throughout high school, like my whole schooling, because my parents did not know any English, but my dad used like he did know English, but it wasn't as, like, correct English. And she was the one who, like, took the head of, like, academically, but it was in college too. Like, financially, they just didn't know any, like, they didn't know financial aid. So we saw like programs outside of resources throughout, like the College Access Center near where I live. And through that, I was able to learn, but financially speaking, like they didn't really, they didn't help me in terms of, like, like, budgeting only. They only helped me in savings. I know my dad used to always save a lot of money, right?

Jamila Souffrant 8:10

Well, you know, that's interesting, because that's one thing I remember about my mom too, is that she also not knowing anything, not knowing much, right? And even my grandmother, the one thing it was like, save your money. Yes, all the time. And I think that comes from just, you know, they grew up with way less than right we had. And I know for them, it was just like, just saving for them was great, and it is right. Obviously, that's a good trait. But to become successful and to like, not just survive in this world, especially New York City, like you have to, you have to do more than just save, you have to invest money. Has to grow, because otherwise, you know, you're losing out a lot of opportunity. Okay? So you now you come to this realization that, okay, this Dave Ramsey, which, by the way, he that his program is great for people who are just, yeah, trying to get out of debt. But then you wanted more. You fell into this world of podcasts, and that's probably how you stumbled upon me. And so in terms of you now making more strides, right? Like getting better at paying off debt and doing other things, what did you do differently? Like, what did you start learning and doing? So maybe other people listening were like, well, I'm in that situation, and I need to, like, get here. What did you do so? I

Cassandra Henry 9:21

took advantage of everything that came my way. I took advantage of listening to so many podcasts like you. I came across you from like, choose fi, and then I went into other podcasts. I was like, education overload when it came to financial but I also took advantage of the people around me. I like, sought out people who are interested in becoming financially free, and sought out people that wanted to invest in themselves, like I wouldn't be now, where I am, like, I was able to, like, pay off my debt. I'm like, I'm. Starting and investing now, you know, I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for the programs I invested myself in and the journey to launch club and everything like it was, it's been so blessed as blessings. Yeah,

Jamila Souffrant 10:11

and I think this is like that chicken and egg kind of thing for a lot of people, where they are, they know that they need to level up and do something different and to learn and invest in themselves, but then at the other end, they're like, Well, I, you know, I don't have that much money, and I think that's where, like the personal finance field sometimes, because we talk a lot about saving and investing, but usually it's like saving and investing in other things other than yourself. Not everyone talk like that, but I just feel like more significance should be put on actually, like pouring money back into you, and I will credit you for that. I feel like you've always, like, whenever it's was like, Okay, I'm gonna invest in something. You always did it like you always was like, All right, I'm gonna do this. And so I think that's great, and that shows that's proven through kind of the success you had, so in terms of actual things, all right, so you know, you invested in yourself, you invested in coaching. You joined the launch club. But like, what were some steps like, you change with your behavior, with your finances, you know, did you get a budget? Stop going out to eat? Did you try to make more money? Like, what were the action steps you took? Yeah,

Cassandra Henry 11:10

I stopped taking Uber. Because when I, when I met with you, done one on one coaching, I thought I was spending a lot on Uber. Yeah, so I, like, live it in myself on that, and ever since, I've, like, only used Uber, so only for emergencies or if I use it, I always pay it back on my credit card. But I also thought sought out ways to educate myself about investing and all the other ways I can grow my money, like with the book club, wanting ways to learn more about how to develop myself when it comes when it comes to my finances.

Jamila Souffrant 11:49

So you paid off your credit card debt at this point, and really it's just student loans, left, right, yes. So in terms of people, or like, your next goal, I know your next goal is like, pay off your student loans, but for people kind of in the thick of their debt payoff journey, what advice do you have for them to kick it in the year and get rid of, like, the consumer debt, not necessarily the student loans just yet, like, but the other debt that they have.

Cassandra Henry 12:15

Change your mindset. That has definitely been the part of me that really shifted, because before, when I did have the debt, I just had it. I just left it there, you know, I didn't consistently try to erase it, but when I changed my mindset of like, oh, this can actually happen. Like, I I'm not going to stick I'm not going to stay stuck in this predicament that I'm in, or I'm not always going to have my the debt by there. Should I just changed it and consistently try to push myself to get it a game, like, try to pay it off every single week, or try to pay off any debt that I come across in my credit card. So just having, like, a shift in your mindset when it comes to consumer debt, because it can definitely be a hole, and you got sucked into it, and you can never,

Jamila Souffrant 13:04

right, well, unless you change kind of your reality, which is what you did, like, listen to podcasts. That's what I did when I first got on this. And you surround yourself, even if it's online, virtually, with people who get it, it kind of seems normal that, all right, if you have a ton of debt, that that's what it is. But because you're exposed to, like, there's something bigger, there's something so much greater outside once you get out this debt free stage, there are levels to this, right? So you're getting out of debt stage where you are saving and investing and you're working towards your financial goals. And yes, that can take a while. I always say, like, if Listen, this is not a quick journey. This is not something for most people, that it's going to take a while, especially depending on your income from where you started. Hey, journeyers, if you are loving this podcast, then you will love my book, Your journey to financial freedom, a step by step guide to achieving wealth and happiness. I wrote this book for you. This book is for you if you want a clear and enjoyable path to having more money, options and a rich life. This book is for you if you hate your commute and the fact that you need to seek approval or permission from a boss. I hated that when I worked. This book is for you if you weren't born into wealth, you didn't marry rich or won the lottery, but you still want freedom. This book is for you. If you're at a crossroads, a major decision or event is imminent, maybe a career change, marriage, starting a family, pressures are reaching a tipping point, and the discomfort and the desire for more can no longer be ignored, and this book is for you. If you find yourself zoned out at meetings, looking out the window or daydreaming about the life you truly want. So go pick up your journey to financial freedom.com. So I can show you how to map out how to get from where you are today to where you ultimately want to be and enjoy the journey while you're on the path, head over to your journey to financial freedom.com. To see where you can. Pick the book up. It's available on Amazon, bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble, your local bookstore everywhere. Go to your journey to financialfreedom.com to get the book. Now, one of the things you didn't mention was that you did actually increase your income too, right? Like, side hustle. So let's talk a little about that. That's one thing I am trying to encourage more people to do, is that want to increase your income, and most people do then go after it's possible. So let us know how you did that, and tips for people who wanted, yeah,

Cassandra Henry 15:35

it was all because I was exposed to everyone. I've been hearing stories about ways to develop your income. And I just never thought I would get more income. You know, I never saw that and, like, I never thought I would get extra 10k in a year. So I had an opportunity to get extra money every month, like 1000 a month, along with my main job. So I took it and, you know, I was like, I know at the end of this year I this is I want to be at a certain place, and this is how I'm going to get to that certain place. So I knew from the get go, once I submitted, it's going to be it was going to be tough. I know it's going to be tough with my schedule and everything, but it was going to be worth

Jamila Souffrant 16:12

it, you know what? What was that side income that you took on or did

Cassandra Henry 16:16

a program assistant for an after school program at my school? And it was like, I've used that money for like, extra, like, emergency funds. You know, it was, it has been amazing with the amount of money that I was able to save because of the side income.

Jamila Souffrant 16:33

So the thing about, I think teachers who I definitely don't think you get paid enough. My husband is a teacher. But the great thing, if possible, is that there are a lot of opportunities sometimes, to, like, supplement income if you can. So I know my husband does that too, like he coaches and he does morning school after school. And it could be tough, right? Because you guys are doing a lot in the day, and then you have to do all that extra stuff. But I think that's helpful. So any teachers out there, you know, look for some opportunities to raise your income if you could do that, you know, via your school or some programs.

Cassandra Henry 17:05

Yeah, and, but, and then also, like, i After reflecting, I was reflecting about the year of why I chose again, I was like, reflecting on the reason why I chose a job, but it's because of, like, I believed I was living abundantly, you know, I shifted that, like, insecure mindset about money, and I knew I'm like, I know I'm gonna get money. It will come my way, and I would, like, I sought it. And then ever since, I was, like, getting another side, like, I got an online teaching job, so I was able to get supplement myself more. So it was, it's been really

Jamila Souffrant 17:34

good. And that's what's crazy. It's like, and it sounds so kind of like, when you're not in an abundant mindset, or you don't believe in this stuff, you're just, like, whatever, like, that's a coincidence or but it's like, literally. And I had David negle on the podcast, and he talked about this, Dickie was episode? Was it 999? Yep, yep. There you go. 99 and he talked about this, where it's like, the opportunities are there, if there is a need, the solution is there. And oftentimes we don't see the solution because we're blinded by our just our own limitations, and maybe just the lack of abundance or the scarcity mindset. But once you kind of just switch you like, you put on like different goggles, or, you know, you like you. You dust the fog off of your goggles or glasses. There it. Things look a little different, and then you're able to see the opportunities and the obstacles in any situation. So I always like challenge people, like, even if you don't have, like, a perfect situation, if you're grateful for what is typically, then you know you can then see what other opportunities are there for you? Exactly in terms of, like, I'm sure you're glad that you started on this path. Do you ever think about what things would be like if you did not invest in yourself and invest in coaching, invest in the launch club, like, do things that like, maybe some people are a little scared to do like they think, you know, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing, and hopefully things will change like for you. Can you imagine what things would be like if you hadn't did not start this

Cassandra Henry 19:00

journey, yeah, like I find myself looking at the opportunities that I've taken advantage, I've taken advantage of, and I would never have believed that I was, I would be capable of achieving those, or creating the goals that I have for myself now, like it's way beyond the goals that I saw, like I created, like last year, two past, two years ago, I know I'm worthy of more, and I see abundance and everywhere. Now, you know, not just money, like I know I'm I am worthy of more. And through this journey, it's like I found, like my worth in that as well.

Jamila Souffrant 19:31

And it's all this crazy thing. It's like it's for everyone. It's there for everyone. It's not excluded, like everyone is inherently deserving of worth. And if, to me, if you can think of something like it's kind of scary, if your mind can conceive something, then it's possible for you to go after it. It's just that sometimes our dreams are big and scary, but when you're around people, that's why it's like, I love introducing people to different concepts and talking. And planting seeds. Because I feel like, once that happens, once you have that seed planted at then you realize, like, wow. Like, I didn't know that was possible, and if that person could do it, why can I do it?

Cassandra Henry 20:09

Right? Yeah, that's why I love, like, hearing the stories and the podcast and, like, the journey to launch club too. Like I find myself like, oh, wow, I am able to do it. Like I negotiated for this job that I have now, like, I'm a first grade teacher, but I was a middle school teacher for three years, and I negotiated, like, a raise from this job, the current job I have now. I would never done that if I was, if I I wasn't surrounded by the different opportunities I thought, you know,

Jamila Souffrant 20:39

right Nami, that's so awesome. What are some things? So I know your main goal is to also pay off your student loan debt, but in the journey, right? So long term, or just looking past just the debt payoff stage, like, What's your ultimate goal? What are you working towards?

Cassandra Henry 20:56

Many retirement by the age of 30, like a mini retirement. You know those because I learned it through your podcast. I never knew it was possible. But now I know by 30, I want to have, like, a year off, and that's

Jamila Souffrant 21:08

the thing, right? You pick your journey. So some people are working to have, like, the ultimate early retirement and financial independence, and that's fine. I think you do your best, and you can actually strategize a way in which you have options for both. I mean, if you're giving yourself that flexibility as a teacher, though, you can get sabbaticals, right? Or is it more through if you're working with the actual New York City school system, yeah,

Cassandra Henry 21:31

which I'm getting myself in there, okay, I know that. Like my main goal, wherever, in whatever way I get there, I know by 30 I will take, I will be taking that year off, nice. So what are you going to do, traveling, the whole year, traveling and, like, we volunteer work,

Jamila Souffrant 21:47

nice, nice. Well, I see it for you, honestly, like you've already done so much, and it's going to happen for you. Okay, so let's talk a little bit more about, like, just the launch club itself. I feel like it's hard to explain the kind of energy and the benefit sometimes of it. And that's why I wanted, like you on so like people can hear for themselves what it's like to be surrounded with this kind of energy, with the tools and resources. So if you could just kind of just talk about what you like the most, about the launch club, what you gained from it? Yeah, of

Cassandra Henry 22:22

course, I love it. So what I love most about the Lunch Club is more about the community, because this is the first community I have when I where I could talk about money, like I talk about money with my sisters and, like, a little bit with my mom. But I this is where I can, like, look to for get learning about questions on, like, real estate if I'm or investing, or the high interest bank accounts. I never heard of it until, like, there was a conversation on the Lunch Club, which I just put in my emergency fund in because I'm like, wow. Like, what I found different avenues to grow my money and to get me closer to reaching financial freedom. So, right?

Jamila Souffrant 23:04

And you are, so I would say, like, you know, there are some people who like to show up to, like, most, like 90% of the classes and things I do, like, you're one of them, and, yeah, that just shows you, like, the kind of effort that you put in definitely reflects on the outcome. All right, if you had any last parting words for someone who is listening and you know they're on the journey, they're in it with you, like they're in that debt payoff stage, or they have these dreams they want to take a mini retirement, like, what's just like one piece of advice, or something you want them to know. Make

Cassandra Henry 23:33

sure you invest in yourself and whatever way you want, or whatever your way you see yourself investing in yourself. Just make sure you keep that in the forefront, because it like the journey is tough. It's, it's not easy. But if you're investing yourself and surrounding yourself with people of the same goals, and you'll be able, you're gonna enjoy it, and even though it's gonna get tough, you're gonna be struggling together, right? Yeah,

Jamila Souffrant 23:57

you're gonna at least you can look to your right, your left, you'd be like, All right, exactly, yes, yeah, awesome. All right. So thanks so much Cassandra for coming on, sharing your story, and I'll see you back in the launch club. Okay, bye. Hope you enjoyed the conversation with Cassandra, and I am really, really encouraged when I hear like directly from journeyers that they are taking like the content, whether you just listen to the podcast, whether you're actually in the money launch club, or you're on my email list, or whatever it is that you're getting from this I just, I always say, I just want you to take action, and every little step counts. So I love that Cassandra is making her way towards her goals, and if you're listening to this, you are on your way too. Just keep on going. All right, journeyers, until next week. Don't forget, you can get the episode show notes for this episode by going to journey to launch.com or click the description of wherever you're listening to this. And you can still grab your jumpstart guide for. Free to help you on your journey to financial freedom by going to journey to launch.com/jumpstart

if you want to support me and the podcast and love the free content and information that you get here, here are four ways that you can support me in the show. One, make sure you're subscribed to the podcast wherever you listen, whether that's Apple podcast, that purple app on your phone, your Android device, YouTube, Spotify, wherever it is that you happen to listen, just subscribe so you are not missing an episode. And if you're happening to listen to this in Apple podcast, rate review and subscribe there. I appreciate and read every single review. Number two, follow me on my social media accounts. I'm at journey to launch on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And I love, love, love interacting with journeyers. There three, support and check out the sponsors of this show. If you hear something that interests you, sponsors are the main ways we keep the podcast lights on here, so show them some love for supporting your girl. Four, and last but not least, share this episode, this podcast, with a friend or family member or co worker so that we can spread the message of Journey to launch. All right, that's it until next week. Keep on journeying. Journeyers. You

Transcribed by https://otter.ai