Clever Girl Millionaire

Bola Sokunbi is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), investor, finance expert, speaker, podcaster, and bestselling author. She is the founder and CEO of Clever Girl Finance, a platform launched in 2015 that has grown into one of the largest personal finance media and education resources for women in the U.S.

• About the Author ixAlso by Bola Sokunbi xiAcknowledgments xiiiHow to Use This Book xvIntroduction: Embrace the Possibility! xviiChapter 1 Sowing the Seeds for Your Millionaire Mindset 1Establishing the Right Mindset, Attitude, and Approach 7Dispelling the Myths About Wealth and Being Wealthy 10Financial Principles to Embrace 14Spending Less Than You Earn 14Minimizing Debt 14Putting Your Money to Work for You 14Increasing Your Income 15But What About Luck? 15Take Action 17Chapter 2 Dancing to Your Own Financial Beat 19Comparison Is a Trap 22You Are Not Too Old 22Embrace the Long Game: Wealth- Building Takes Time 25Stay Patient, Stay Persistent, and Find Joy in the Journey 26Take Action 27Chapter 3 Defining Your Pillars of Prosperity 29Pillar 1: Earned Income: Building a Strong Foundation 32Advocating for Yourself to Boost Your Income 32Investing in Yourself to Level Up Your Game 34Diversifying Your Income for Peace of Mind 37Living Below Your Means 38Pillar 2: Investing: Putting Your Money to Work for You 40Start Investing as Soon as You Can 41Play the Long Game 42Pillar 3: Real Estate: Creating Consistent Cash Flow with Tangible Assets 47Focus on Positive Cash Flow, Not Just Appreciation 48Be Prepared for the Inevitable Surprises 49Have a Network 49Pillar 4: Entrepreneurship: Turning Ideas into Income 50Start Small, Think Big 51Plan for Growth 51Embrace Both Risk and Reward 52Blending and Prioritizing Your Pillars 53Earned Income + Entrepreneurship 54Earned Income + Real Estate 54Real Estate + Investing 55Real Estate + Entrepreneurship 55Earned Income + Multiple Pillars 55Build Your Strategy, Your Way 56Take Action 58Chapter 4 Setting Your Timeline and Focusing Your Finances 61Assessing Your Goals and Creating a Timeline 63An Example Breakdown 66Why Tackling Debt Is Nonnegotiable 69The True Cost of Debt 69Not All Debt Is Created Equal 70Make a Debt Payoff Plan That Works 70Build Wealth and Pay Off Debt at the Same Time 71Shift the Narrative 71Focusing Your Finances 71Take Action 73Chapter 5 My Personal Investment Strategies to Becoming a Millionaire (and Key Tips for You) 77Laying the Foundation for Wealth 79Stepping Out with Investing 80Giving Back and Planting the Seeds of Impact 81Real Estate: A Lesson in Flexibility 83Growing Through Entrepreneurship 84Going All- In 86My Investment Strategy Today 87My Investment Philosophy 92Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market 93Knowledge Is Power 93I Protect My Vision 93I Have a Contingency Plan 94Bringing in the Experts 94Working with a Financial Planner or Advisor 95Working with a Tax Professional 95Self- Employed? Retirement and Investing Options to Consider 96The Power of Staying the Course 98Take Action 99Chapter 6 Bouncing Back Like a Boss 101Mistake 1: Cashing Out My 401(k) Like It Was a Bonus Check 104Mistake 2: Buying and Selling Stocks Like a Day Trader 105Mistake 3: A Very Expensive Wedding 107Mistake 4: The Designer Handbag Collection Regret 108Always Have a Comeback Plan (for When Things Don’t Go According to Plan) 110Take Ownership (Without Shame) 110Assess the Damage 111Create a Recovery Plan 111Automate Your Progress 111Stay Focused on the Big Picture 112Forgive Yourself, Give Yourself Grace, and Move Forward 112Take Action 113Chapter 7 Single and Slaying, or Together and Winning: Either Way You’ve Got This 115Being Single Is a Superpower: Adjust Your Cape! 117Let’s Go Team: A Real- Life Approach to Building Wealth as a Couple 119The Key to It All? A Team Mindset 120Designing a System That Works 121It’s Not Just About the Money 122Know What You Bring to the Table, Solo or Together 123When Your Partner’s Not on Board (Yet) 125Exiting a Relationship: Protecting Your Peace and Your Finances 127The Bottom Line, Whether You’re Single or Partnered 129Take Action 130Chapter 8 Creating a Lasting Legacy 133My Current Estate Plan and What I’m Building Next 135Passing Down More Than Money 137Your Legacy Starts Now 138Where to Start: Tools, Resources, and Getting Help 140Take Action 143Chapter 9 Wealth with a Bigger Why 145It’s About More Than Just You 147Discovering Your Bigger Why 148Your Action Plan Starts Now 150Index 151