How To Make Your Money Work For You

I was building wealth solo—and it almost backfired. You see, I did everything “right” after college… ✅ Landed a great job at Ernst & Young ✅ Saved diligently ✅ Started investing in a 401(k) But I still felt like I was missing something. Here are 5 risks I faced on my wealth-building journey—and how I overcame them: 🔻 RISK #1: Idle Savings I thought saving was enough. My money sat in a low-interest account while inflation ate away at its value. ✅ SOLUTION: I pushed past my fear and started learning. While working in accounting, I educated myself on pre-tax/post-tax investing—and started with a 401(k). It was my first leap. 🔻 RISK #2: Unused Distributions Even after I started investing, my dividends and mutual fund distributions just...sat there. ✅ SOLUTION: I discovered dividend reinvestment and the concept of “dividend aristocrats.” I let compounding do its magic. 🔻 RISK #3: Tax Drain As my income grew, so did my tax burden. Uncle Sam took a bigger bite each year. ✅ SOLUTION: I tapped into my tax accounting background and began investing in multifamily real estate. I discovered how real estate can grow wealth and offer tax advantages. 🔻 RISK #4: Asset Oversaturation My portfolio became too heavy in one asset class—apartment complexes. ✅ SOLUTION: I learned to diversify across asset types: self-storage, mobile home parks, hospitality, and beyond. 🔻 RISK #5: Real Estate Cycles The economy doesn’t stand still. Real estate has cycles—and that means risk. ✅ SOLUTION: I began exploring non-cyclical alternatives to protect and grow my family’s wealth during downturns. Then something clicked... 💡 Most of my high-income peers—tech leaders, finance pros, engineers—had never heard of these strategies. So I founded SAMO Financial LLC to help others learn what I wish I’d known sooner: You don’t need to go it alone. And you can build lasting wealth outside of Wall Street. 🟦 Curious how to turn earned income into passive income streams? 🟦 Want your money to work harder than you do? Post "Let’s talk" in the comments. I coach professionals through this exact journey—no jargon, no pressure, just clarity. What’s the biggest obstacle holding you back from diversifying outside the stock market?

Dear woman who’s earning more than ever but still wondering where it’s all going: You’re not doing it wrong. You’re just busy. Really busy. And when your calendar’s full, Money tends to fall to the bottom of the list. Even when there’s plenty of it. That’s when I see it: → Cash sitting idle → Tax-saving moves never used → Decisions that could’ve been made months ago (delayed again) Not out of avoidance. Just life. Full days. That quiet mental tab open all week: “I’ll get to it soon. And the quiet hope that things will “calm down soon.” But what if your money didn’t need to wait on your capacity? What if it could move in the background without needing your constant energy to drive it. Because it can. Here’s what that can look like: → Moving large cash reserves into a mix of high-yield savings + short-term investments → Rebalancing your portfolio quarterly (not letting your old 401(k) ride on autopilot) → Shifting part of your income into backdoor Roth or after-tax contributions in your 401k → Running a mid-year tax projection instead of being surprised in April These aren’t flashy moves. But they’re the ones that quietly build wealth while you live your life. You don’t need to work harder to make more progress. You just need a plan that does some of the heavy lifting for you.

3 Things I Learned About Building Wealth Building wealth isn't just about numbers or saving every penny. It’s a mindset shift and a commitment to investing in things that pay back over time. Here are three key lessons I've learned on this journey: 1️⃣ You Can’t Save Your Way to True Wealth Growing up, many of us were taught to save every dollar and be cautious. But here's the hard truth: simply saving will not get you to real financial freedom. Saving is important, yes, but wealth requires a different approach. Wealth is built by putting your money to work, by seeking ways to grow what you have rather than just holding onto it. Think about what saving alone will get you—and then think about the potential of intentional, smart investing. 2️⃣ Invest Beyond Your Main Job This is a big one. Relying solely on your paycheck means you're limited by someone else’s terms. If you want to build wealth, it’s crucial to find assets and income streams outside of your primary job. This could mean real estate, stocks, businesses, or side projects that align with your goals. Diversify where your money comes from, and over time, your wealth can grow exponentially. 3️⃣ Invest in Yourself This, to me, is the most essential investment anyone can make. Your mindset, your knowledge, and the people you surround yourself with determine the opportunities you attract. Investing in yourself isn't just about formal education—it’s about reading, learning from mentors, attending workshops, and always pushing to expand what you know. When you believe in your own potential, opportunities have a way of finding you. Building wealth is about positioning yourself for growth, impact, and freedom. What are you doing right now to build your wealth? Drop a comment below or DM me the word "WEALTH" if you’re ready to take the next step or want to chat more about this journey. Let’s grow together!