How Do I Get Money?

Dear Friend in Finance,

I'd love to get financial advice and work with a professional, but I need to save up money first. I can start saving and investing once things get settled. Once I have money, I'll be able to work with a professional. Now, how do I get money? It's something I've never really known how to do.

Sincerely,
Looking for Money in All the Wrong Places

Dear Looking for Money,

This is one of the most personal and important questions in finance: How do I make money?

The answer depends on your skills, values, and circumstances—but just as important is how you think about money. And in your letter, I hear a familiar pattern:

• “I'll save once things get settled.”
• “I'll work with a professional once I have money.”
• “I'll invest once I understand it.”

These beliefs seem logical, but many people find more progress when they flip them:

• Saving helps create the feeling of stability.
• Working with a professional can help you make the most of what you have.
• Investing—even in small amounts—is how you learn to invest.

And this mindset shift applies in other areas, too. One of the most powerful changes is moving from a “buy now, pay later” mindset to “pay now, buy later.” It sounds less fun—but the truth is, it often leads to less stress, more freedom, and more satisfaction with your purchases.

If old stories haven't gotten you where you want to go, it might be time to write new ones. The journey to building wealth often starts by rethinking the scripts we’ve taken for granted.

Sincerely,

Your Friend in Finance