Cheers to Your Prosperity

Did you know your personal life can impact and influence your business finances?

Yes, money is really THAT connected.

This episode is a case study, which discusses how my former client’s personal life negatively yet unintentionally impacted her business finances and how that discovery came through bookkeeping.

You’ll also learn:

• What exactly was seen in the bookkeeping that provided evidence of the personal life impacting the business finances
• Why I can personally relate to my former client’s situation
• How bookkeeping led to my former client solving the REAL problem with her finances
• The benefits experienced by my former client as a result of solving the real problem

This is important: I had permission to share this story because privacy is real and must be respected.

Revenue does not always equal financial success.

That’s why I am no longer sharing my revenue…

Rather, I am no longer sharing my revenue without context.

In this episode, I share:

• 4 detailed reasons why I am no longer sharing my revenue
• What I wish I shared when I was last asked about my revenue
• How sharing one’s revenue creates scarcity and feelings of unworthiness
• Why revenue should be the process and not the goal

I listed a WHOLE LOTTA resources within this episode:

Why would I ever say something like that to a client?

Answer: Bookkeeping

And not to worry...the statement was VERY well received!

However, the bookkeeping revealed something that went beyond dollars and cents. It made it possible to reveal the real problem that needed to be solved.

I reveal that real problem and how solving it greatly benefited the client in this episode.

I also discuss:

• How and why I was introduced to the client
• What the bookkeeping revealed and the importance of sharing that information with the client
• How the client benefitted from the information obtained from the bookkeeping

Please remember, this episode is based on my experiences with clients, therefore is for discussion purposes only and not to be taken as advice.

Do you believe bookkeeping is low level work?

Do you look at bookkeeping as something that cost you money and time?

Do you believe bookkeeping is only for tax purposes?

Then this episode is for you.

I have looked at a lot of financial statements and bank accounts in my nearly 2 decades of working as an accountant. In that time I have seen a clear difference between those that have money and those that struggle with money.

That difference is bookkeeping.

To be specific, those that have money do their bookkeeping.

Those that do not do their bookkeeping, well…tend to struggle with money and always wonder where their money goes.

In this episode I share the benefits of doing your bookkeeping.

#1 benefit: Keep more of your hard-earned money without sacrificing the things you love.

Did you know Instagram as well as other forms of social media impacts and influences your finances?

Early 2022, and especially after another algorithm change, my frustration with Instagram was high. It is a tool that intended to support and enhance my business, yet, I continued to experience the opposite. In fact, it felt like Instagram was taking so much more than it was giving, leading me to question whether it is worth it  to continue being on that platform. That question of worth also include the impact and influence of Instagram on my finances. Should my efforts be directed elsewhere?

I realized many of you have also been questioning where you stand with Instagram as well as the other socials. Which led me to ask this question:

Is it Instagram? Or is it the way we use it?

In this episode I explore that question and the way we use Instagram (and other socials) which impact and influence our finances. 

Other topics include:

• Sharing, passionately, what I stand for and how the pressures of the platform interferes with that.
• How my colleagues navigate and succumb to the pressures to be relevant on social media.
• I explain the difference between an influencer and a business owner - I needed to remind myself to stay in my lane
• I then talk about why I like Instagram.

Here’s a twist: Did you know Instagram is responding to how WE use the platform?

• I discuss how we, as users, have the power to influence Instagram
• Finally, I share what I, as a business owner will navigate Instagram and other forms of social media, going forward.

Are your beliefs about money really yours? Or do those beliefs belong to someone else?

The two questions are what we explore in this episode.

Personally, I do not believe our beliefs about money are really ours. Rather, they are what we are expected to believe, based on (at least) cultural and familial standards. Just pay attention to the commercials about money, on TV. It'll become clear why you (and we) believe what you (we) believe about money.

The beauty about all of this is you are still in control of your beliefs and, ultimately, your experience with money. This episode will remind you of that and show you how to take command of your experience.

In this episode, I discuss:

• The differences between commercials about money and all other commercials. The difference, when seen, is hard to unsee.
• Common money beliefs and their impact those beliefs have had in my life. You might be able to hear your story in mine.
• My ideal money commercial. I'm sure if you saw the commercial I described, you'd be excited to handle your finances.
• Two small but very mighty tips to make your experience with money truly yours.

This episode is inspired by my article, also titled: You Get to Choose Your Experience With Money

This magazine is a huge resource full of reputable finance professionals. AAAAND the articles are amazing!

So you're making money in your business, and it feels so good!  

The problem is, you don't see any of it. Stated another way, you have nothing to show for your efforts.

That's because you lack a financial system.  It's not your fault as no one taught you the importance of handling your finances, which means you have been left to figure all of it out on your own. 

Fortunately for you, this episode can give some direction.

In this episode I take my time to discuss:

• What is a financial system and why should you care? Why do you need it?
• 4 reasons you do not have money despite making it.
• What I see you do to manage your money - I do see your effort and intention
• Why what you have been doing to manage your money has not been working for you.
• The business and life impact of not having money because you lack a financial system.
• Solutions - how to have money
• How I can help you create your financial system so that you can keep more of your hard-earned money without sacrificing the things you love.

Resources:

I can relate to where many of you are today.

There is so much pressure to make a certain amount of money as that amount represents a level of success you crave and therefore work hard for.

Unfortunately, that pressure limits all the ways for you to have money.

Which means you also limit your ability to take care of the money you do have.

The thing is, those limits could put a temporary or permanent stop on your business and the life you desire and deserve to have.

With a possible recession on the horizon, I feel it is more important than ever to share my passion for helping you take care of your money so that you can have money regardless of what is going on in the economy.

Which is why I am sharing more of my story from the Great Recession and before that, the Dot.com bubble bursting.

‘Recession Proof Your Business and Prosper’ was shared from an “expert’s” point of view.

This episode comes from a peer/colleague/friend point of view.

Recession.

It is a word that strikes fear into many hearts.

Many respond to that fear by doing nothing and simply “waiting it out” until the recession ends.

Recession is also a word that signals opportunity and innovation.

Those seeking opportunity prepare their business and life for the recession and end up taking advantage of opportunities because they were ready.

I want to do my part to help more of you prepare for the recession (if it happens) so that you can take advantage of every opportunity available.

In this episode I specifically discuss:

- What is a recession?

- Symptoms of a recession

- Innovation born from recessions and other forms of economic downturns

- The financially prosperous way to recession proof your business

- How I can help you recession proof your business

Most people won’t give this feedback.

But the way some of you use social media does a lot of harm to others.

I mean, A LOT!

It can also do a lot of harm to you and the business you have worked hard to build.

The twist is, many of you did not intend to cause harm to anyone. On the contrary, I know you intended to be of service to others!

In this episode I share and discuss:

• My opinion on what information is private and public when it comes to sharing it on your social media platforms
• The common response I receive when I speak up about sharing private information and why that response is not acceptable...in fact it does more harm
• The impact your sharing private information has on others

And because I talk money in my universe, I discuss:

• The impact such actions can have on your business
• The business that lost an opportunity to earn $35,000  
• The over $7 figure lawsuit settlement 

Finally, I share a simple solution to all of this: Just ask permission. It's the more prosperous thing to do.

I want remind all of you of this: Not everyone is in a healthy and safe space.

Consider that the next time you post something without someone else's permission.

As an FYI, I do get a little heated in this episode complete with some colorful language.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions about this episode.

Your budget wants to be your biz bestie!

…rather, if it had its own personality, it would want to be your best friend, wing man/woman/person, security detail…

You know, the person, being, or thing that protects you from the bad and wants you to have good things coming into your life.

Examples of good things include:

• More time to spend with your loved ones
• The ability to add to your car collection
• Purchasing your dream home
• Adding an extra 6 (or 7) figures to your bottom line
• …or simply having more money in your bank account

If you like what you are reading so far, you’ll love listening to this episode because I discuss how this tool, called a budget, is actually for you, not against you.

I begin by ranting about why I dislike the question, “do you have a budget?”

I’m already going to answer…the question is super stuck up as sh*t and a bad question (yea, I wrote it and said it).

I also discuss is how your intentions and beliefs can create the experience you have with budgeting.

For example, if you believe the budget is too restrictive, then it will be too restrictive. However if you love budgeting, you’ll create a budget that has you falling further in love with budgeting.

I go on to explain why your budget might be too restrictive, time consuming, and all the negative things. Hint: It is based on someone else’s needs, beliefs, values, etc.

I also share the different types of budgets, which could be a better fit for your needs and lifestyle.

I share some tips to help you stay committed to your budget.

Finally, I explain why blowing your budget is not always a bad thing.

Resources mentioned:

You need a FUN account.

That's right!

You need a bank account that has money that is ONLY to be used for fun.

That means an account where you can spend money on coffees, dinners, and anything else your amazing heart desires. 

No judgment. No shame. No guilt. ALL GOOD!

In this episode I share:

- Why you need a FUN account

- The benefits of having a FUN account

- How restricting yourself from FUN (aka being practical) can hurt you

- How to get started with funding your FUN account

- My personal experience with having a FUN account, including how it served me

DISCLAIMER: I am an accountant and financial coach, however I am not your accountant or financial coach. Therefore the suggestions and topics discussed in this episode cannot be considered to be advice. The content in this episode is my opinion, only.  

The title of this episode is not a typo.

It really is HOW money mindset is making you broke.

Before you dismiss me as some disgruntled accountant seeking attention, please hear me out.

For starters, there are many who have taken money mindset courses, worked with money mindset coaches, and believe in manifesting money yet continue to struggle with money. I used to be one of them and perhaps you are in this position right now.

The reason for the continued struggle with money is this - what we have been taught about money mindset, including how to manifest money, ACTUALLY keeps us in that financial struggle or worse, cause us to be broke.

I affectionately refer to that position as ‘Woke Yet Broke’.

Money mindset (and manifestation), however, is meant to help you have money. In fact, money mindset and manifestation helped me climb out of my financial rock bottom…when I learned how to use them properly.

Which is why I just had to share this episode so that you too can learn how to use money mindset and manifestation to help you thrive, sustainably.

Here’s what else you’ll learn in this episode:

- Proof that money mindset is not really serving people as it should

- How exactly money mindset keeps you broke

- My personal journey with money mindset and manifestation (including how it kept me broke and how it helped me out of financial rock bottom)

- How to use money mindset to help you actually have money

Other resources:

You can have amazing credit, and have no money in the bank.

You can also have bad credit, and have plenty of money in the bank.

How is any of that possible?

That’s what I’m exploring in this episode where we talk about credit.

I begin by providing some background on what goes into one’s credit score.

This episode also highlights what is unfair about the credit score. Dropping a hint, have you ever wondered by paying for rent, utilities, groceries, all of which many pay in full and on time, are not considered in the credit score?

I then go on to explain why I had bad credit for most of my adult life.

Last but not least I get specific on how I was able to own luxury items and build my bank account despite having bad credit.

This episode is dedicated to those that feel shame for their credit situation. I hope you all can hear your story in mine and, therefore, be comforted by the fact that you are not alone. Most importantly, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Having bad credit does not mean you are irresponsible or a bad person. 

These two podcasts inspired this episode:

For many of us, financial success means having money, right? 

Well, what if I told you revenue is not always a sign of financial success?

What if I also told you that profit also is not always a sign of financial success?

Cash is king, my friends.

...at least it is, in my experience.

I look to cash, as in REAL money, because money is a resource that serves you. 

This episode is about helping you shift your business (and life) from a cash leaking monster into a money making machine, which means you work smarter, not harder.

No more spending $2 just to earn $1.

In this episode I share 10 different ways to grow your bank balance with cash. Also included is a bonus, which makes it 11 options or ways to grow your bank balance without selling more.

I need to add some context to a statement I made in the episode, about the online world as it relates to money mindset and manifestation. I am not making fun of money mindset and manifestation. To do that would make me a hypocrite because I too am a money mindset personality and, while I do not lead with my spirituality, I walk the path of manifestation. What I do refer to, in the episode, are those that spread mindset and manifestation from a misinformed place because they do not yet understand what they are sharing. 

Keep listening to future episodes, and you will understand where I am coming from.

Is your daily coffee really the reason for your financial struggles?

According to Suze Ormon, “You are peeing $1 million down the drain as you are drinking that coffee.”

Can I tell you how much I love that line?...and I whole-heartedly disagree with it.

I believe (and know) you can get rich (or at the very least have money) and still drink your coffees too.

In fact, by continuing to point the fingers at coffee we end up not addressing the real cause of the financial struggles.

In this episode I go deep into why the coffee blaming is problematic.

Dropping one hint, blaming coffee keeps us in scarcity, which then continues the financial issues.

I also share what I believe is the real reason many of us struggle with money.

Finally, I discuss a really easy and passive way for all of us to build wealth and we can continue drinking our daily coffees.

I do have to share this disclaimer: I am not your accountant and financial coach until you and I work together. Therefore this episode should not to be taken as specific advice for you and your finances. The contents of this episode are for discussion and inspirational purposes only. Therefore follow the advice at your own risk.

Episode 1! 

Let's go!

This episode is more of an 'About' Cheers to Your Prosperity.

In this episode I share my background, including a little of what I do and how I serve.

I also begin to open the door on what I believe is the real reason we struggle with money.

Finally, I share the upcoming podcast topics that you do not want to miss!

Welcome to Cheers to Your Prosperity!

A show where I spill the tea, I mean coffee on what it takes to keep more of your hard-earned money WITHOUT sacrificing the things you love.

We'll talk about how to use the principles of wealth, money mindset, spirituality, and so much more to enhance your financial skillset.

Who am I? I'm your host, Chioma Njoku (pronounced Chee-Ah-Mah En-Joh-Koo). I'm an accountant (for over 18 years) and a financial coach. I've experienced financial rock bottom and have climbed my way out of it. That means I walk my talk and I look forward to helping you walk yours.