This week's Money Buddy
Ron is a spirit-filled believer whose life's mission is to improve the financial well-being of believers through biblical principles. Ron has spent a career in finance, accounting, and consulting, serving multiple Fortune 500 clients. Ron currently consults individuals and businesses to increase, save, invest, and protect their money.
1. Where do you feel like financial success is different for you than it was for your parents?
For me, financial success today has way less to do with owning a home and much more to do with flexibility, freedom, and intentional use of money. Our parents grew up with the idea that success meant buying a house, working a stable job for 30+ years, and retiring with a pension. But that playbook doesn’t quite fit in today’s world. We’re dealing with rising housing prices, job markets that shift constantly, and costs of living that outpace our wages. The idea that owning a home is the only marker of financial maturity feels outdated, especially when renting can offer so much more flexibility and breathing room to invest, travel, or simply live on your terms.
I think success today is a lot more customizable. We have the internet, remote work, and side hustles. Financial success might look like starting your own business, working less but earning more, or even taking a lower-paying job that gives you more time with family. It’s not one-size-fits-all anymore. And as Ron said in the episode, it’s okay to have a different picture of success, as long as you’re clear on what your version of that picture is.
2. How can you break out of your current situation to increase your income?
This one really hit home for me during the episode with Ron. We often feel like we’re stuck, but the truth is, we’re not as locked in as we think. Breaking out of your current situation might mean asking for a raise, but it could also mean something bolder—like leaving a job that’s going nowhere, learning a new skill, or finally taking that leap into entrepreneurship. Ron reminded us that waiting around for change isn’t a strategy. If your current path doesn’t have room for growth, you’ve got to explore new avenues. Inflation isn’t slowing down, and your paycheck from five years ago just doesn’t stretch as far today.
I also loved the reminder that increasing your income isn’t always about doing more—it’s about doing different. Whether that’s starting a side hustle, picking up freelance work, or just networking with people who are ahead of you financially, it all begins with a mindset shift. You don’t need a million-dollar idea overnight. You just need to be ready and open to new opportunities. As Ron said, when your mindset is ready for growth, doors will open. You just have to be willing to walk through them.
3. How can writing down your goals help you?
Writing down your goals might sound simple, but it’s one of the most powerful things you can do to change your financial direction. If you’re not setting goals, you’re standing still—and in today’s economy, standing still is the same as falling behind. Ron emphasized that people often get stuck in the past when they stop setting goals. Maybe they’re still clinging to that one big win from years ago, but they’re not working toward anything now. Writing things down makes your goals real. It gives you something to aim at, something to adjust, and something to track.
And here’s the best part: your goals don’t have to be massive. It could be as small as “I want to earn an extra $500 over the next 3 months.” That’s a goal! It’s measurable, achievable, and gets your brain working on the “how.” Plus, when you write it down, your brain starts noticing opportunities you would’ve otherwise missed. I truly believe a written goal is the bridge between where you are now and where you want to be. So if there’s one thing to take from this, it’s this: take five minutes today, grab a sticky note, and write your next goal. Then go tell someone about it—and take the first small step forward.
Enjoy your week and get out there and have a money talk!
