Stage 1: Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Many people try to jump right into investing because they’ve been told it’s the secret to curing their financial pain. The truth is, the first steps toward financial independence are not flashy. In this pathway we focus on the building blocks of a financial ecosystem, specifically saving your first $1,000 and developing a savings habit. These are two of the hardest steps to reach, so we’ve included information on community resources and debt management for when budgeting and careful planning fall short.