jasper smith

Jasper Smith, also known as Mr. #Build Wealth, rejoins Paula and Jon today. Together, they delve into the realm of intelligent money management and share valuable insights on effective budgeting, financial communication, and alternatives to traditional budgets. 

Jasper highlights the key hurdle: finding a budgeting strategy that truly resonates with one's unique lifestyle and preferences. He emphasizes the need to choose a method that aligns with individual needs rather than blindly adopting popular approaches.

Jasper explains the "highlighter challenge," a practical exercise designed to illuminate spending habits. This activity involves reviewing the past three months of financial statements and highlighting non-essential expenses. By doing so, individuals gain a clearer understanding of their spending patterns and can differentiate between necessary expenditures and discretionary wants.

The conversation then shifts to the 50/20 rule, a strategy that Jasper endorses. He explains that this approach involves allocating 50% of one's income to essentials, 20% to financial goals, and 30% to lifestyle expenses. Jasper emphasizes that adopting a simplified and personalized budgeting approach can lead to greater financial freedom and enjoyment.

We discuss the importance of open and transparent financial communication within couples. Jasper suggests having honest conversations about financial strategies and goals in a relaxed setting, which fosters understanding and cooperation. The episode also touches on the significance of both partners being informed about their financial situation to avoid potential complications in the future.

Paula and Jasper conclude the episode by emphasizing the critical role of addressing financial challenges head-on and seeking expert guidance when needed. 

More from Jasper Smith, "Mr. #Build Wealth" and the Build Wealth Movement, here: https://www.thebuildwealthmovement.com/

Find Paula Christine at PaulaChristine.com or via email at paula@paulachristine.com.

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Reach Paula at paula@paulachristine.com or through her website, paulachristine.com.

In this episode of Beyond the Paycheck, we are joined Jasper Smith, also known as Mr. Build Wealth, to talk about the complexities of managing financial goals for both parents and children. Our discussion centers on the challenge of saving for our children's college education while also balancing our personal financial aspirations. Jasper emphasizes the importance of considering whether our child truly needs to go to college, highlighting that higher education isn't the only path to success. He encourages us to have candid conversations with our children about their aspirations and to question whether college aligns with their goals. Our dialogue then transitions to exploring various financial tools, such as education-specific accounts and regular investment and savings accounts, that we can utilize to save for our child's future. Jasper emphasizes the significance of early discussions to determine the most suitable solution, with a nod to the SECURE 2.0 act and its implications for saving. Our conversation touches on the option of using funds for alternate purposes if our child chooses not to attend college, illustrating this through anecdotes and suggesting that flexibility and communication are key.

We also delve into the balancing act of financial priorities between education savings and our personal goals, such as retirement and home ownership. We stress the importance of prioritization and decision-making, while considering our individual situations and timeframes. The skyrocketing costs of higher education and the shifting landscape towards trade schools and community colleges are explored as factors affecting the college-versus-trade education decision. The pandemic and its impact on perceptions of formalized education are also discussed. Our discussion continues with reflections on career choices, potential income, and the value of education in various fields, recognizing the need for a solid financial foundation regardless of the chosen path.

Jasper firmly believes in  a "village" for financial planning and education. We discuss strategies for harnessing support from family and friends, encouraging them to contribute to financial goals rather than gifting material possessions. Our conversation touches on the delicate balance between providing for our children and instilling a sense of financial responsibility, acknowledging that different households may have distinct approaches.

More from Jasper Smith, "Mr. Build Wealth" and the Build Wealth Movement, here: https://www.thebuildwealthmovement.com/

Find Paula Christine at PaulaChristine.com or via email at paula@paulachristine.com.

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Reach Paula at paula@paulachristine.com or through her website, paulachristine.com.