Stepping into the Unknown
When I was completing my Certified Financial Planner® coursework, I knew I needed to start contributing to a retirement account. I had learned that the earlier you invest, the more time your money has to grow. I had taken all these classes on how to build wealth, how to navigate the system—but even with all that knowledge, it still felt foreign.
No one around me had ever done something like this. I knew it was the “right” step to take, but one thing kept holding me back: fear.
The part that stuck with me most was the idea that the money was inaccessible until retirement. And with my scarcity mindset, all I could think about were the “what ifs.” What if something bad happened and I needed that money? I wasn’t sure I was ready to tie it up in an account with so many restrictions.
It took me years of research and contemplation before I finally made my first contribution. What changed? I found answers to my questions. I learned that there are ways to access retirement funds if absolutely necessary—and more importantly, I made sure that it would truly be a last resort. I built an emergency fund that could cover six months of living expenses. I made sure I had insurances in place in case life threw me a curveball.
Once those pieces were in place, I felt more at ease. And I finally did it.
I’ve worked with many first-gen wealth builders who hesitate to take the next step because it all feels unfamiliar—whether it’s opening a retirement account or even just using a high-yield savings account. I realized that part of my job is not just to explain how these tools work, but also to help them feel secure. To help them build a safety net so they’re not frozen by fear, like I once was.
Taking that first step was uncomfortable. But if I wanted to pave the way for my family, I had to get out of my comfort zone. Navigating a system that wasn’t built for people like us isn’t easy—especially when you’re the first. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that growth comes from leaving your comfort zone.
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