Credit: Brandon Soder
Jen Sincero says she used to be a “grouchy broke person.”
In her early 40’s, Jen lived in a converted garage, buried in credit card debt and scrounging for spare change.
She was the type of person who’d join her friends at a restaurant for dinner, order nothing except tap water, and fill up on the complimentary bread basket. She used duct-tape to repair her shoes. Her “splurges” consisted of buying new windshield wipers.
Despite her struggles, Jen believed that pursuing wealth was icky. She’d internalized negative social attitudes towards money, such as:
- Money isn’t important. People are.
- Rich people are lucky / gross / shallow.
- You can’t make money doing [insert your-dream-here].
- You have to attend a good college to make money.
- Money is out of my reach.
- It’s lonely at the top.
- Who has that kind of money?
- He/she is only about the money.
Those negative attitudes, Jen says, were holding her back. So she created a more positive script — such as “I’m good at making money,” and “Money is a tool that helps me live my best life.”
This attitude shift made all the difference.
In today’s interview, Jen describes her journey from broke to badass, and she explains how everyone can become more of a maverick at making money.
Enjoy!
Resources Mentioned:
- You Are a Badass at Making Money – Jen’s book
- JenSincero.com
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Ac
Episode 75
Loved this show. I really liked Paula’s questions a la Tim Ferris, a keep digging into it deeper style. Also liked that there was little joking, etc. I like concise episodes without a lot of personal commentary.
Kevin
Really liked this episode. Was interesting to hear your internal debate on whether or not to keep the bit in where Jen discussed heavy spending even when in credit card debt. I had a feeling that made you a little uncomfortable, but was glad you left it in.
Was a big fan of her last book, so I’ll need to pick this up at some point soon!
Nikki T
This episode was a real struggle for me. It flew in the face of most things I know to be true. But, realizing that there is always more to learn, I fought to maintain an open mind. Jen reminds me of several friends who are big advocates of multi-level marketing schemes. The eternal optimism they have that “this” is the next get-rich-quick ticket to the top. Somehow, decades pass and it never seems to work for them. Meanwhile, I shocked them all when I retired to travel the world at 45. ( I used Mr Money Mustache type techniques for about 10 years to get there.) Spending money to make money will always be a gamble – occasionally working, but usually failing. Growing the gap between what you earn and what you spend works every time.
I am glad you clarified your views post-interview. I had started to wonder if you had had a MAJOR philosophical shift. I also appreciate you not editing out controversial parts of the interview, that’s dishonest.
Angela
Episode 75 with Jen Sincero
Thank you so much for this interview and also for not editing her response concerning using her cc to pay for a life coach. I think we all know that using a cc is not the ideal method to use when debt is already an issue, however, it helped me with making my decision to move forward with hiring my personal life coach. Hearing her story in it’s truest authenticity really blessed me tremendously. Her transparency coupled with your questions gave me so much life. I truly enjoyed this podcast. So glad I stumbled upon it on youtube.
Natalie Taylor
Episode #75 – I purchased Jen Sincero’s book, You are a Badass, in an airport in Vegas a couple of years ago. I will need to pick up her latest book re: You are a Badass at Making Money. Her writing style is right down my alley and highly motivating. It’s a breath of fresh air to hear about her fierce dedication to her goals and to know that she was determined to accomplish them regardless of what it took to get there (using a credit card for a life coach). Again, highly motivating is this woman! She Rocks!
Christine Rice
Hi Paula,
I LOVED this episode because it reflects the situation so many of us creative and unconventional types like Jen find ourselves in, and affirms that we, too, can afford anything! Like Jen, I spent my 20’s and 30’s not making much money and pursuing my creative passion, though mine was handmade jewelry rather than writing. Then, at 40 and broken-hearted after a failed relationship and being let go of my full-time JOB (because the jewelry never supported me), I also decided enough was enough and was sick of being poor! I made the “gross” decision to whole-heartedly pursue money and bought an online training course–with my credit card! Yet, within four months I was self-employed, having turned my jewelry business e-commerce and social media skills into a service. Like Jen, I kicked to the curb anything that didn’t make me money. Now my income is increasing every month as I grow my client base, and I’m paying off my credit debt. I’m taking a second big leap in addition to becoming JOBless and I’m going homeless next year to save money while house and pet sitting (because I’m able to work anywhere from my laptop!). While I understand your horror at going further into debt on credit, I also know exactly how desperate Jen was to choose that risk to get herself out. Thank you so much for leaving that part in the show; we all know how bad that is but it’s also the risk a truly desperate person is willing to take, and I think because it was such a risk it adds to the fire and determination to make it work—it did for me and it did for Jen! I love your honesty in telling us you were considering editing that part out, as it underlines how terribly risky a decision it is.
Thank you for spot lighting such a fabulous rags to riches story and inspiring us all to realize that we really can afford anything–if we put our minds to it and get over the ridiculous feeling of it being gross to pursue it.