The Clever Girls Know Podcast With Bola Sokunbi

New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now Are you wondering if it's too late to build wealth in your 30s, 40s, or even 50s? If you've ever felt like you're behind financially or missed your chance to build real wealth, this podcast episode is for you. In today's conversation, I'm breaking down one of the biggest money myths—that if you're not rich by a certain age, you've failed. The truth is, wealth isn't built on someone else's timeline. Whether you're 35, 45, or 55, you still have time to create financial security, grow your money, and even build a path to becoming a millionaire. YOU'LL LEARN: Why you are NOT behind financially How to start building wealth later in life Real numbers that show what's still possible The mindset shifts you need to move forward with confidence Your past doesn't define your financial future. What matters most is what you choose to do next. If you're ready to stop feeling stuck and start making progress with your money, this is your sign to begin. More Clever Girl Finance Resources: 👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here ❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motivation! clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe ❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books ❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages ❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog ❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now On this episode of the podcast, we're joined by Rose Mendonca, career educator and founder of Teacher Talks Money, for an important conversation about how teachers can build wealth without leaving the classroom. Rose is passionate about helping educators gain confidence in their finances and break the long-standing myth that teachers must struggle financially to be truly dedicated to their students. As a first-generation college student raised by immigrant parents from the Azores and a bilingual learner growing up in Lowell, Massachusetts, Rose's personal journey shaped her determination to succeed and empower others. Today, she uses her platform to help educators understand their financial options, plan for retirement, and build long-term wealth while continuing to do the work they love. What Rose Discussed on the Podcast: Her personal journey and how it led to the creation of Teacher Talks Money. The myth that teachers must struggle financially to be devoted to their students—and why it needs to change. The real earning and wealth-building potential available to educators. How her experience as a first-generation college student and bilingual learner shaped her relationship with money and ambition. The biggest financial challenges teachers face and practical steps to overcome them. What educators should be doing now to build strong retirement plans. Mindset shifts teachers can make to move from financial limitation to long-term wealth building. Creative and lesser-known income strategies teachers can use without leaving the profession. How to balance a passion for teaching with the need for financial stability and independence. The role of mentorship and community in helping teachers build financial confidence. AND SO MUCH MORE How to Keep Up With Rose: Website: teachertalksmoney.com Social media: @teachertalksmoney More Clever Girl Finance Resources: 👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here ❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books ❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages ❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog ❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now Let me share a money mistake that still stings to talk about. Before building Clever Girl Finance, writing books, and becoming a millionaire, I made a mistake that cost me 40% of my retirement savings overnight. Yes, 40%! I'm sharing the story of how I accidentally triggered taxes and penalties on my 401(k) after leaving a job, the lesson I learned the hard way, and what I would do differently today. If you're changing jobs or thinking about cashing out a 401(k), this is something you need to understand before making a move. What I share: The 401(k) rollover mistake that cost me thousands Why cashing out your retirement account can be extremely expensive The difference between a 401(k) rollover and a payout How to avoid early withdrawal penalties and taxes What to do with your 401(k) when leaving a job Money mistakes happen to everyone, even financial experts. What matters most is how you learn from them and rebuild. I share this story in Chapter 6 of my new book Clever Girl Millionaire, where I talk about real-life financial mistakes, lessons learned, and how resilience plays a role in building long-term wealth. If you've ever made a financial mistake, know this: your story isn't over. You can learn, recover, and keep building. More Clever Girl Finance Resources: 👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here ❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motivation! clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe ❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books ❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages ❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog ❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motivation! clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe On this episode of the podcast, we're joined by Sahirenys Pierce—financial wellness educator, author, and creator of The High 5 Banking Method—to talk about how a deeply personal family health crisis reshaped the way she approached money. When Sahirenys learned that her son had a heart defect and would need open-heart surgery at just six months old, she realized her finances needed more clarity, structure, and resilience. That experience led her to develop the High 5 Banking Method, a simple yet powerful system designed to help women and families organize their money, reduce financial stress, and build stability even when life throws unexpected challenges their way. In this conversation, Sahirenys shares practical tools and mindset shifts to help you feel more confident, prepared, and in control of your finances. What Sahirenys Discussed on the Podcast: Her background and what inspired her to create The High 5 Banking Method. How her son's health crisis sparked a complete shift in how she managed money. What the High 5 Banking Method is and how it works in everyday life. How the method simplifies budgeting and reduces financial overwhelm. The purpose of the 2 checking + 3 savings account structure and how it helps prevent overdrafts and overspending. How to use the "Cut, Keep, or Reduce" (CKR) strategy to reset spending habits. The 2-Week Gap Strategy and how it helps break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. How to run "All Hands" family money meetings to keep everyone aligned. Why this system works especially well for first-generation wealth builders and families navigating financial uncertainty. How her approach meets people where they are—even if they feel like money systems aren't designed for them. AND SO MUCH MORE How to Keep Up With Sahirenys: Instagram: @poisedfinancelifestyle Website: thepoisedlifestyle.com More Clever Girl Finance Resources: 👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here ❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books ❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages ❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog ❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now What can having immigrant parents teach you about building wealth? I'm sharing the powerful money lessons my immigrant parents taught me, lessons that shaped my mindset, my career, and ultimately helped me build wealth. Success doesn't always start with money. Sometimes it starts with resilience, sacrifice, and the lessons passed down from the people who raised you (Note: that doesn't only mean your parents). My parents didn't give me a trust fund. But they gave me something far more valuable: discipline, perseverance, and the belief that financial freedom is possible, even when you start with nothing. As the daughter of first-generation immigrants, I watched my parents break barriers, start over in a new country, and build a life through education, sacrifice, and determination. Those experiences shaped how I think about money, success, and legacy. What I share: The money lessons I learned growing up in an immigrant household How my parents' sacrifices shaped my mindset about wealth Why financial freedom is about more than just money The importance of building generational impact and legacy Why wealth is possible even if you didn't grow up with money Whether you're building wealth from scratch, breaking generational cycles, or creating a new financial path for your family, this conversation is for you. Your background does not determine your financial future. More Clever Girl Finance Resources: 👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here ❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motivation! clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe ❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books ❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages ❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog ❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now In this candid interview, Fo Alexander of Mama & Money sits down with Bola Sokunbi—founder of Clever Girl Finance and author of the new book, Clever Girl Millionaire, to uncover the unfiltered truth about building wealth. They dive deep into the excuses that keep us stuck in "survival mode," the expensive setbacks we are too ashamed to talk about (like Bola's massive 401(k) and wedding expense mistakes!), and the practical steps required to move from financial stability to serious abundance. If you have ever felt "behind" or overwhelmed by the pressure of perfect financial timelines, this conversation is for you. FO AND BOLA DISCUSSED: Why your financial comeback matters more than your setback, and why you cannot shame yourself into wealth. Why it is never too late to start building your legacy. The Excuses We Can't Afford: How to pivot from fear-based saving (safety) to asset-based growth (freedom). The 4 Pillars of Prosperity: A realistic breakdown of Earned Income, Investing, Real Estate, and Entrepreneurship. CONNECT WITH FO ALEXANDER: On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MamaNMoney Via her website: https://mamaandmoney.com/ More Clever Girl Finance Resources: 👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here ❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motivation! clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe ❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books ❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages ❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog ❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance

New Book - Clever Girl Millionaire; A Guide to Redefining What's Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions - Available to order now If you've ever thought, "How am I supposed to save money when I barely make enough to cover my bills?", this podcast episode is for you. Saving money on a low income can feel impossible. Rent, groceries, debt, childcare — it adds up fast. But here's the truth: you can start building savings, even if it's just $5 at a time. On this episode, I'm walking you through realistic, practical ways to save money on a tight budget, without shame, without skipping meals, and without feeling deprived. YOU'LL LEARN: How to start an emergency fund on a low income How to automate tiny savings transfers How to save money when living paycheck to paycheck Simple ways to cut expenses without extreme restriction How to create extra income with micro side hustles How to stay motivated when savings feel slow Building financial security isn't about big deposits. It's about consistency and strategy. Even small amounts saved can create real peace of mind. More Clever Girl Finance Resources: 👋 New to Clever Girl Finance? Start here: https://clevergirlfinance.com/start-here ❤ Subscribe to the Clever Girl Finance newsletter for weekly motivation! clevergirlfinance.com/subscribe ❤ Get the best-selling Clever Girl Finance Books: clevergirlfinance.com/books ❤ Get access to 30+ free courses, worksheets, savings challenges, and our favorite banking resources: clevergirlfinance.com/course-packages ❤ Read the Clever Girl Finance Blog: clevergirlfinance.com/blog ❤ Follow us on Instagram: @clevergirlfinance