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#WhyWeInvest Why I Invest & How I Started —————————————————— 👩🏼‍🔬I’ve always struggled with what I want to do when I grow up. at first I wanted to be a vet, then a physical therapist, then i wanted to work in nonprofit, then ministry, then public relations, then graphic design… You get the picture. 👩🏼‍🏫 In college, they pressured you to have a plan. When you graduate, you need to find a job. Then you need to buy a car. Get married. Buy a house. Or else you aren’t doing it right. But I just felt anxious and overwhelmed. 👚Well, my first job was in retail and I got paid a whopping $8.75/hour. I had $28k in student loan debt, a college degree, and working in retail. Felt like a failure. I soon picked up a 2nd job teaching dance. But I was determined to be smart with my money. So I saved everything I made, and used it all to try and pay off my student loans in 5years. —————————————————— ⏩ Fast forward to 2021. I now have a full time job and I teach dance. I built up my credit, saved up an emergency fund… started a 401k, and I knew I needed to start investing but had no idea how and no one to ask for help. So with the help of YouTube and Tiktok I opened up a Roth IRA (retirement account). Then I found Public. I was scared and had no idea what I was doing. —————————————————— 🎯Recently, I started evaluating my life goals. The more I’ve been working 2 jobs, the more I realize I don’t think the 9-5 format is for me. I change hobbies frequently, but there’s a couple that have stuck. 💃🏼Teaching dance. I LOVE my kids, and I’d do it forever if I could. But it doesn’t pay the bills. 📈 investing. The more I learn about finance the more empowered I feel. There’s something about it that makes sense to me, and while I’m still very new to it, I’m so excited to research about it. —————————————————— 🤔 Over the past few weeks Ive been thinking… what if I took the next 13 years (thats when I turn 40) to invest everything i possibly could, and then maybe… just maybe… my adhd little self didn’t have to be stuck to a 9-5? I could teach dance, indulge in my hobbies, work online… do whatever I want. ☕️ This is called Barista FIRE, or Coast FIRE. I did some math, and if I continue the path on what I’m doing right now… I could actually do it. 😱 it’s scary and exciting. (If y’all have never heard of this I’d be happy to make a post on it) 💰This may change. But just the idea opened up so much freedom to me. If I invest and save as much as I can, the worst thing that can happen to me is that i learn a lot and continue to work full time. The best being that i am setting myself up for a solid future. —————————————————— 😳 I’m not gonna lie, this post took a lot of courage. But I know there are plenty of people out there that are new to investing and don’t want to learn alone. I also want the fight the stigma that you “shouldn’t talk money” or “you have to have a lot of money to invest”. If anyone can relate to any of this, feel free to let me know. I’m here to encourage you in your journey. 💛 #FIREbender
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      Justin O photo
      @sydward I LOVE the fact the you followed your heart and not the money. Says a lot about the person you are. There are plenty of ways to make money; you should never let your life be about that. Life should be about making memories, helping others, and sharing those little moments with the ones you love. You've got a great head on your shoulders. Keep grinding, keep smiling, and keep posting.. I lSee more
      Smooth Ryda photo
      @sydward Wanted to quickly chime in and say - what a liberating and beautifully written post. Gotta go have a great day! 👋🏽😎
      Brent Bacon photo
      Thank you for sharing your journey! I'm sure many of us can relate to different aspects in this post. For me personally it was the pressure and anxiety in college that you mentioned.
      Gracie photo
      ❤️
      Brendan photo
      This is amazing! 💙 You are well on your path to success! Also please make a post on Barista FIRE! Isn’t it where you can work a job that pays less to still bring in some money but have your investments do the main work? If so, that is what I strive for!
      Xander photo
      I love this! Thank you for sharing 😊
      TIM2030 photo
      This post is what Public is all about! Everyone is an investor! Thank you for sharing your experience! Please make a post on the whole Barista FIRE:coast fire thing 😮
      Stocknewbie photo
      Interested in Barista Fire Coast fire too.....please post??
      Chaki Bellamy photo
      Im in a position to learn more about investing for my family's future...My 9-5 is killing me😩
      Monique Nguyen photo
      This is such a great post. Success takes many different forms, and not being exactly where you want to be does not make you a failure, it makes you human. You’re doing amazing!
      Ana heilala Vete photo
      ❤️🙏🌺
      DaVona photo
      Thanks for sharing. ❤️I’d like to know about Barista FIRE /Coast Fire.
      Sydney photo
      @Justin_O I’m not gonna lie this comment really made my morning. Like teary-eyed happy. I’ve always been driven by my passions… because I’ll be frank, I don’t have the attention span to work for a job I hate. It’s taken a lot to get to this point. And absolutely I would put my loved ones and my own joy before money every single time. So thank you for your encouragement. Positivity goes a long way 😭See more
      Sydney photo
      @chasemills thank you 🙏🏼 as they say, “it’s a good day to have a good day” 🥳 just trying to spread good vibes!!
      Sydney photo
      @MakinBacon2021 the pressure is unreal, and no one really talks about it. I graduated with a mini identity crisis watching everyone else know what they wanted to do with their life and I had no clue. Now I’m just embracing that uncertainty!! ☺️
      Justin O photo
      @sydward I know the struggle. For years I worked 2 jobs so my wife could stay home and take care of the kids, and later get her degree started. We had money, but I had zero time with my family. Unfortunately, things didn't work out and we ended up getting divorced... and I couldn't be happier. 😁 No more working multiple jobs, and I get to spend some much more time with my kids now. I dont miss tSee more
      Sydney photo
      @gtort211 thanks for the love 💕 @brendanschema yes it is! Of course it all depends on how much your expenses are. But part of your expenses are paid by investments some by your job. You have a safe withdrawal amount that you can pull out each year and it not hurt your portfolio. And for someone like that me this is way more attainable cause I don’t make as much. If you like to spend a lot of moneySee more
      Sydney photo
      @Xander882214 thanks pal!! I appreciate you ☺️
      Sydney photo
      @TIM2030 I agree it really is!! I don’t know who put the idea in our heads that you need to make a lot of money to invest, but they’re wrong. I’d be happy to post more about FIRE 🔥 There a couple different types, Fat FIRE, Lean FIRE, Barista FIRE and Coast FIRE. The first couple allow you to retire early but need a lottttt more invested in the market, and the later ones you won’t be living the richSee more
      Sydney photo
      @djphily79 dude it’s killing me too! I think that’s why a lot of us are here. We all want financial freedom and to remove some burden from our lives ☺️
      Sydney photo
      @financepillowtalk thank you, i know that now. But it’s definitely taken a long time to get to this point. But I think the reason I wanted to share this journey is because I want people who feel the same way to be able to follow along. Thanks for being the encouraging person you are 💛
      Sydney photo
      @Nana thanks for the 💕 and good vibes! sending some back your way!!
      Monique Nguyen photo
      Yes agreed that this is so helpful for others that may be feeling the same way. And very cool that you're pursuing Barista FIRE. Love watching your journey!
      Sydney photo
      @Justin_O for the record I love Disney soundtracks. Little mermaid 2 has some underrated tracks 🔥 love the impromptu dance parties. see this is what Public is all about. I think it’s great when people feel free to be themselves on this app and share stuff like this because behind these usernames are real people who are trying to better their life and I think you put that really well. Money is onlSee more
      Justin O photo
      @sydward Sydney's financial advice for an awful, red market day? Invest in Disney soundtracks, ignore your bleeding stocks, and dance in the kitchen like no one is watching. Got it! Lol That reminds me on a song you might like, go check out "Headphones" by Jackie Lee. Seems appropriate for a day like today.
      CTSSHAH photo
      I am so excited for your journey and will be hear to cheer you along! Just from the short time of getting to know you, I am sure you will be able to get it done 😁💙👍
      Brendan photo
      @sydward I would love to see a post about it all for sure! I tend to not need too much to get by, I will be looking into this! ☕️🔥
      Brendan photo
      Also thank you for the shoutout! 💙
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