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 ix

Also by Bola Sokunbi xi

Acknowledgments xiii

How to Use This Book xv

Introduction: Embrace the Possibility! xvii

Chapter 1 Sowing the Seeds for Your Millionaire Mindset 1

Establishing the Right Mindset, Attitude, and Approach 7

Dispelling the Myths About Wealth and Being Wealthy 10

Financial Principles to Embrace 14

Spending Less Than You Earn 14

Minimizing Debt 14

Putting Your Money to Work for You 14

Increasing Your Income 15

But What About Luck? 15

Take Action 17

Chapter 2 Dancing to Your Own Financial Beat 19

Comparison Is a Trap 22

You Are Not Too Old 22

Embrace the Long Game: Wealth- Building Takes Time 25

Stay Patient, Stay Persistent, and Find Joy in the Journey 26

Take Action 27

Chapter 3 Defining Your Pillars of Prosperity 29

Pillar 1: Earned Income: Building a Strong Foundation 32

Advocating for Yourself to Boost Your Income 32

Investing in Yourself to Level Up Your Game 34

Diversifying Your Income for Peace of Mind 37

Living Below Your Means 38

Pillar 2: Investing: Putting Your Money to Work for You 40

Start Investing as Soon as You Can 41

Play the Long Game 42

Pillar 3: Real Estate: Creating Consistent Cash Flow with Tangible Assets 47

Focus on Positive Cash Flow, Not Just Appreciation 48

Be Prepared for the Inevitable Surprises 49

Have a Network 49

Pillar 4: Entrepreneurship: Turning Ideas into Income 50

Start Small, Think Big 51

Plan for Growth 51

Embrace Both Risk and Reward 52

Blending and Prioritizing Your Pillars 53

Earned Income + Entrepreneurship 54

Earned Income + Real Estate 54

Real Estate + Investing 55

Real Estate + Entrepreneurship 55

Earned Income + Multiple Pillars 55

Build Your Strategy, Your Way 56

Take Action 58

Chapter 4 Setting Your Timeline and Focusing Your Finances 61

Assessing Your Goals and Creating a Timeline 63

An Example Breakdown 66

Why Tackling Debt Is Nonnegotiable 69

The True Cost of Debt 69

Not All Debt Is Created Equal 70

Make a Debt Payoff Plan That Works 70

Build Wealth and Pay Off Debt at the Same Time 71

Shift the Narrative 71

Focusing Your Finances 71

Take Action 73

Chapter 5 My Personal Investment Strategies to Becoming a Millionaire (and Key Tips for You) 77

Laying the Foundation for Wealth 79

Stepping Out with Investing 80

Giving Back and Planting the Seeds of Impact 81

Real Estate: A Lesson in Flexibility 83

Growing Through Entrepreneurship 84

Going All- In 86

My Investment Strategy Today 87

My Investment Philosophy 92

Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market 93

Knowledge Is Power 93

I Protect My Vision 93

I Have a Contingency Plan 94

Bringing in the Experts 94

Working with a Financial Planner or Advisor 95

Working with a Tax Professional 95

Self- Employed? Retirement and Investing Options to Consider 96

The Power of Staying the Course 98

Take Action 99

Chapter 6 Bouncing Back Like a Boss 101

Mistake 1: Cashing Out My 401(k) Like It Was a Bonus Check 104

Mistake 2: Buying and Selling Stocks Like a Day Trader 105

Mistake 3: A Very Expensive Wedding 107

Mistake 4: The Designer Handbag Collection Regret 108

Always Have a Comeback Plan (for When Things Don't Go According to Plan) 110

Take Ownership (Without Shame) 110

Assess the Damage 111

Create a Recovery Plan 111

Automate Your Progress 111

Stay Focused on the Big Picture 112

Forgive Yourself, Give Yourself Grace, and Move Forward 112

Take Action 113

Chapter 7 Single and Slaying, or Together and Winning: Either Way You've Got This 115

Being Single Is a Superpower: Adjust Your Cape! 117

Let's Go Team: A Real- Life Approach to Building Wealth as a Couple 119

The Key to It All? A Team Mindset 120

Designing a System That Works 121

It's Not Just About the Money 122

Know What You Bring to the Table, Solo or Together 123

When Your Partner's Not on Board (Yet) 125

Exiting a Relationship: Protecting Your Peace and Your Finances 127

The Bottom Line, Whether You're Single or Partnered 129

Take Action 130

Chapter 8 Creating a Lasting Legacy 133

My Current Estate Plan and What I'm Building Next 135

Passing Down More Than Money 137

Your Legacy Starts Now 138

Where to Start: Tools, Resources, and Getting Help 140

Take Action 143

Chapter 9 Wealth with a Bigger Why 145

It's About More Than Just You 147

Discovering Your Bigger Why 148

Your Action Plan Starts Now 150

Index 151