It took us 3.5 years to go from negative $342k to positive $100k in net worth. They say the first $100k is the hardest, but we made it through a combination of paying down debt, investing, and a little luck. In this episode, let's talk about our journey from negative $342k to positive $100k, including our actual numbers year by year. Head to rhothomas.com/285 for the full episode show notes. Need help with getting out of debt and building your net worth? Schedule a consultation at rhothomas.com/call.

If you're a lawyer making six figures but living paycheck to paycheck, you're not alone. It also doesn't have to be this way. In my time working with lawyers on their finances over the years, I've noticed 4 budget categories that contribute to paycheck-to-paycheck living most often. In this rewind episode, let's talk about the 4 biggest culprits and how to fix them. Head to rhothomas.com/284 for the full episode show notes. Need help with getting out of debt and building your net worth? Schedule a consultation at rhothomas.com/call.

I have a confession: I have some credit card debt. Those of you who have been around for some time may not be surprised by this because I've been using debt strategically for years. Due to some circumstances in my business this year, I haven't paid this particular debt off as quickly as I'd like. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the credit card debt I have and the plan to pay it off. Head to rhothomas.com/283 for the full episode show notes. Need help with getting out of debt and building your net worth? Schedule a consultation at rhothomas.com/call.

Want to get out of debt faster? Here's the key: You need to focus. One of my clients recently cited this as the top thing she took away from working with me, and attendees of one of my recent presentations were mind-blown about the concept. In this episode, let's talk about how focusing your efforts with your finances leads to faster progress. Head to rhothomas.com/282 for the full episode show notes. Need help with getting out of debt and building your net worth? Schedule a consultation at rhothomas.com/call.

Many lawyers find themselves with no money left at the end of the month for their goals. It's all too common, but it doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, let's talk about the best way to prioritize your finances so you can achieve your goals. Head to rhothomas.com/281 for the full episode show notes.

My client Jeanne was skeptical about whether she and her husband would ever be able to get out of debt. During our time together, they ended up paying off much more than she ever imagined. In this episode, Jeanne and I chat about our work together, including how much debt she and her husband paid off, the trips they were able to take in the process, and the power of focus in your personal finances. Head to rhothomas.com/280 for the full episode show notes.

Don't give up on your goals in the 4th quarter. You still have plenty of time to finish the year strong. In this episode, let's talk about some questions to assess where you are with your goals and what needs to continue or change to ensure you finish the year where you want to be. Head to rhothomas.com/279 for the full episode show notes.

My clients Ashley and Tim make good money, but they could never seem to get ahead with their finances. They had no plan for their money and felt stressed and overwhelmed. All that changed when they reached out to me. In this episode, Ashley, Tim, and I chat about our work together, including how they've been able to pay off almost $8,000 of debt and save $10,000 while still going on vacation and seeing Beyoncé in concert. Head to rhothomas.com/278 for the full episode show notes.

I've had a few conversations recently with people who want to keep doing the same things and magically have more savings and no debt. The thing is, if you want to change your finances, something has to change. You can't change staying the same. In this rewind episode, let's talk about the requirement for change, including examples of two attorneys who are not making the changes they want to make in their finances and an example of a third attorney who did. Head to rhothomas.com/277 for the full episode show notes.

Thinking about getting into real estate but unsure how to do it? You likely have more options available to you than you think. In this episode, let's talk about my husband's and my first rental property and how we're funding the purchase. Head to rhothomas.com/276 for the full episode show notes.

My husband and I stopped contributing to our retirement accounts. Personal Finance 101 says you should max out your retirement accounts or at least contribute enough to get the employer match. But we decided to cut our contributions altogether. Are we making a big mistake? In this episode, let’s talk about the reasons behind our decision and what we’re doing instead. Head to rhothomas.com/275 for the full episode show notes.

Sometimes following the path you're "supposed to" take leads to a life you don't actually want to live. That's exactly what happened to Lauren Klein, Biglaw attorney turned boutique firm owner and money and mindset coach. Through intentional planning and wise money decisions, Lauren has built a business and life she loves. In this episode, Lauren and I talk about her journey, the tools that have helped her create the life she now enjoys, and the exact steps you can take to create the same kind of life for yourself. Head to rhothomas.com/274 for the full episode show notes.

Do lawyers have an ethical duty to manage their money well? I’ve been thinking about this lately—specifically whether our duty to act with integrity is invoked in the way we handle our day-to-day personal finances. In this episode, let’s talk about this question and what to do if you think you’re acting out of integrity with your money. Head to rhothomas.com/273 for the full episode show notes.

The early stages of the money journey often feel the most difficult because you're learning a completely new way of doing things. Many lawyers give up at that point, and it's a mistake. In this episode, let's talk about the natural progression of learning and why it's important to push through the learning curve to achieve your goals. Head to rhothomas.com/272 for the full episode show notes.

If you want real success with your finances, you have to be consistent. Too often, lawyers start to see progress and then stop doing the things that created that progress. This leads to falling back into old patterns and sometimes ending up worse off than when they started. In this episode, let's talk about the importance of consistency and staying the course. Head to rhothomas.com/271 for the full episode show notes.

What do you do when you realize your practice isn't working for you, and you want to do something else or leave the law altogether? You turn to an expert like Jessica Medina, who can help you figure out the financial plan to make a transition possible. Jessica is a lawyer turned Accredited Financial Counselor whose specialty is helping lawyers in this exact scenario. In this episode, listen in as Jessica and I talk about her personal transitions from Biglaw to government and eventually out of the law altogether and how she helps her clients prepare for their own transitions. Head to rhothomas.com/270 for the full episode show notes.

Are you waiting for the right time to take control of your finances? It's a common mistake that costs a lot of lawyers a lot of money. In this episode, let's talk about why waiting for the right time can be so costly and why the right time is when you decide it is. Head to rhothomas.com/269 for the full episode show notes.

And just like that, half a decade has passed! Somehow I've been in business and recording this podcast for 5 years already. In this episode, celebrate with me as I share what's changed with the podcast, my business, and my life over the last 5 years. Head to rhothomas.com/268 for the full episode show notes.

Instant gratification keeps too many lawyers stuck in financial messes. I've noticed more and more lawyers struggling with it this summer, and it's robbing them of their goals. In this episode, let's talk about why delayed gratification is a game changer for your finances and some tips to practice it more. Head to rhothomas.com/267 for the full episode show notes.

Do you believe that all your money problems would be fixed if you made more? It's a common belief, but for lawyers, it's typically not accurate. In fact, most lawyers would be better off if they learned how to work with the money they already have. In this episode, let's talk about why it's a mistake to believe that more money will fix your problems and why it's more important to learn to manage what you already have. Head to rhothomas.com/266 for the full episode show notes.