Most money advice for students is either condescending or delusional, and this episode is neither. This one is for the students…and for the parents, aunties, mentors, and big cousins trying to help without lecturing.

Today I’m joined by Dr. Paris Woods, bestselling author of The Black Girl’s Guide to Financial Freedom and the new Student’s Guide to Financial Freedom. We talk about what she saw growing up in St. Louis, the “education is the ticket” promise, and why getting out of poverty isn’t the same as building wealth.

If you love a young person, send them this episode and then follow up with, ‘did you listen?’

We cover:

The debt traps waiting for you the moment you turn 18
The minimum payment trap and why “on-time payments” can still keep you stuck for years
Why “adulting” starts with a credit limit — and how cards + BNPL get marketed like free money.
Sticker price vs. net price: How to find your real college cost before you commit
Creating a “gap plan” with scholarships + grants + schools that meet need + a realistic part-time job so loans aren’t the default
Dreaming as a strategy and finding the answer to “what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?”
The importance of building a Freedom Fund so you can take the trip, start the business, or pivot without panicking

Links:

Order The Student’s Guide to Financial Freedom
Follow Dr. Paris Woods: @AuthorParisWoods + ParisWoods.com

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Ep 247: The Student’s Guide to Financial Freedom with Dr. Paris Woods