Reclaiming the Reins: Redefining your Finances, & Reclaiming Your 20s
Welcome back to For The Love of the Funds: Series II, Own Your Grown, where we’re still making money and making cents but this time, we’re stepping into grown folks’ business and focusing on putting in the work to let our money work for us. It’s been a minute, but as the seasons change, so does our focus. We’ve been in financial hibernation, but now it’s time to wake up, dust off our goals, and enter a new season of intentional growth. Let’s talk about reclaiming your 20s, redefining your finances, and owning your grown. This is your official invitation to take a seat at the grown folks’ table because the time for waiting is over.
Why "Own Your Grown?"
We’ll “get to it eventually”? Well, the time has come. This series is about something deeper than numbers. It’s about habits. It’s about mindset. I don't just want to look like I have it all together and I'm grown. I truly want to live it. Truth is I will never have it all together and honestly, I don't to there is something out of my control and I am okay with that. I want to wake up every day and choose myself, even when it feels uncomfortable or hard. and know that the decisions I am making are very impactful for the future life I want to live. Because let’s be real—growth is uncomfortable. But the thing is, we don’t grow by staying in our comfort zone. Growth requires action, sometimes messy, sometimes imperfect. But growth requires action.
It’s time to take ownership of where you are and where you’re headed. It's time to step into adulthood with intention and make choices that align with the life you want. We've put it off long enough. We've convinced ourselves that the "right moment" will come, that everything will magically fall into place when we feel more prepared or life slows down. But here's the truth: life won’t slow down just for you to get it together.
It’s easy to wait for circumstances to align, but that’s not how growth works. Growth happens when you take ownership and make choices—especially when it feels uncomfortable. There will never be a “perfect” time, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make today the turning point.
You have to realize to get what you never had you have to do what you have never done. And that means sacrificing not eating out 3 times a week, not getting your nails done that day, not loaning money for a week. You have to choose yourself, not rewarding yourself with that bag you have been wanting for a few years. And sacrifice the short term for the long term. It’s about embracing growth, even when it feels uncomfortable. Because here’s the thing: There’s never a perfect moment to start, and the best time to step up is always now.
So, why the shift? Why now?
Truth is time is not on my side. I'll be 25 in the blink of an eye, and to me that is a very serious age and my habits need to reflect that in real life! But in all seriousness who am I to be a woman of faith and not wake up every day and not do what God has written me to do? I no longer want to live in my way. I am here for a purpose and I need to get to it before the time is up. I don't want to live with regrets. I don't want my children or great-grandchildren to know the foundation I built for them.
Why ownership?
Taking ownership means stepping into your power. When you make intentional choices about your life, you gain control over your future. It’s about recognizing that the responsibility is in your hands and that you have the ability to create change, even when things feel overwhelming.
Here’s something most 25-year-olds aren’t talking about life insurance. It’s a huge part of owning your grown. When we think about life insurance, it’s easy to assume it’s something for “later,” “for when we’re older,” or “for when we’re gone.” But honestly, life insurance is about taking ownership of your life right now and ensuring your loved ones are taken care of if something unexpected happens. It’s not just about preparing for the inevitable—it’s about being responsible enough to plan for the future, even if that future feels far away.
Here’s the Truth: Life Insurance Can Be Affordable. A lot of people don’t realize this, but life insurance doesn’t have to break the bank. You can start a policy for as little as $40 a month, and that policy could cover up to $200,000.
That’s real coverage that can make a significant difference for your family. For me personally, I couldn’t live with the thought of not having a plan in place for my loved ones. I know that planning for the future now, even in small ways, is a form of taking responsibility for my life. I can afford $50 a month, and not setting that up would feel selfish. It’s not about judging anyone who can’t afford it—it’s about knowing I have the power to ease my family’s burden if something happens to me.
Losing a loved one is hard enough; I don’t want my family to also have to worry about how to cover funeral expenses when I could help prevent that. I’d rather be prepared and not need it than need it and not be prepared. So Why not start now when it can make such a difference?
Ownership isn’t just about material things, though that’s part of it. You own your assets—whether it’s your bank account, investments, or car. But ownership goes deeper than just physical stuff. You own your decisions—how you act, think, speak, spend, save, and invest. And most importantly, you own your life.
Redefining Your Finances: What Does That Even Mean?
So, what does it mean to reclaim the reins and redefine our finances? It’s about being real with yourself. No more pretending we’re “doing okay” when deep down we know we could be doing better. No more dipping into savings for unnecessary expenses. No more casually swiping your card without thinking twice. Have some class and decorum when making purchases. Be polite and have some manners and ask yourself: “Do I really need this?” before pulling out your card. It’s about owning your financial situation—flaws and all.
In our 20s, we’re told to “live our best lives,” but sometimes all that noise tends to overpower the quieter voice in the back of our minds that’s reminding us to “invest,” “save your money in a high-yield savings account,” or “it’s okay to sacrifice your twenties for the long run.” Redefining our finances is about acknowledging that the fun we want today might come at the cost of the future we want tomorrow. It's about stepping back, cutting out the distractions, and making intentional choices with our money that will help us thrive long-term.
And this is how we are going to get started.
You have to start by redefining your relationship with money. That means addressing the thoughts, trauma habits, and distractions that may be holding you back.
Mindset Shift: Your financial growth starts with how you think about money. Do you view it as a tool for freedom or as a source of stress? Let’s work on shifting from scarcity to abundance.
Reassess Your Priorities: Are your spending habits aligning with your goals? If not, it’s time to realign. Look at your expenses and decide what truly adds value to your life.
Plan for the Long Haul: True wealth isn’t built overnight. It’s built with consistency, discipline, and a long-term perspective. Start investing in yourself—whether that’s through education, savings, or experiences that contribute to your growth.
Reclaiming Your 20s
Your 20s are a time. It’s the decade where you’re building the foundation for the life you desire. But let’s be real it’s also the decade where mistakes feel inevitable, and financial goals can feel overwhelming.
Here’s how we’re redefining what it means to thrive in your 20s:
Clarity Over Chaos: Start by revisiting your financial goals. What do you want your life to look like next year? Five years? Ten years? Your goals are your roadmap, but it’s up to you to chart the course.
Progress Over Perfection: You don’t need to have everything figured out and you don't have to do it alone. The key is to keep moving forward, even if it’s one small step at a time.
Embrace the Learning Curve: Mistakes are part of the process. Every misstep is an opportunity to learn, grow, and refine your approach.
Reclaiming my 20s, for me, means finding balance. I want to have fun no doubt about it but I’m also going to have some self-control and class when it comes to swiping my card. Owning my grown up means handling my adult responsibilities, even if it means making sacrifices for the bigger picture. It’s about having fun without losing sight of what matters for my future. So, yeah, I’m going to enjoy my twenties, but I’m also going to make sure I’m setting myself up for success down the road. Now that's “grown folks business”!
Stepping Into Intentionality and Going After It
My frontal lobe is developing, honey! We've all heard it a thousand times: "You need to be more intentional." And yeah, it can sound like just another thing to add to our already full to-do lists. But what if being intentional isn’t about doing more? What if it’s about doing less but with more meaning? This season is about making choices that truly align with the future we want—not the one we think we should want based on what everyone else is doing. No more competing, no more comparing. It's time to be intentional about how we spend our time, money, and energy.
I’m not saying we have to cut out all the fun stuff or become ultra-disciplined 24/7. Heck no! We’re still in our 20s, and we deserve to enjoy the ride. Do what WORKS FOR YOU. But let’s make sure the things we do, the things we spend on, and the things we invest in are aligned with our long-term goals. Let’s make moves that we know will pay off in the future.
No more pretending we don’t have the power to change our financial situation. No more avoiding the hard conversations with ourselves about what’s working and what’s not. This is the part where we stop looking for a magic fix and start getting down to the nitty-gritty of what needs to be done.
I’m walking this path right alongside you. There are days when I feel overwhelmed by the to-do list, and there are nights when I wonder if I’m doing enough. But then I remind myself that growth isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Every step, no matter how small, counts. So if you're feeling like you're behind or haven’t figured it all out yet, trust me, you’re not alone. It’s okay not to have everything figured out right now. But what’s not okay is staying in a state of “eventually” forever.
Now is the time to stop letting uncertainty or distractions hold you back. This journey is yours to own, and stepping into intentionality is the first step toward getting what you deserve. I challenge you to take these:
Action Steps to Help You Take Control and Go After Your Dreams
Check Your Bank Account
Before the year ends, overcome your fears and start small by just logging in to see your account balance. Don’t focus on every transaction yet—just familiarize yourself with the numbers. Getting comfortable with your bank balance is the first step toward gaining control over your money.
Ask Yourself Why Your Spending Habits Are the Way They Are
Sit down and really think about your spending habits. Ask yourself, “Why am I spending like this? What triggers my impulse purchases? What do I want to change?” Understanding the root of your spending habits is crucial for making lasting change.
Identify an Area of Your Finances That Feels Out of Control
Is it your spending, saving, or budgeting? Set a simple, clear goal for this area this week. Maybe it’s cutting down on unnecessary spending or setting up an automatic transfer to savings. Whatever it is, commit to making one change that will set you up for success.
Total Up How Much You’ve Spent on Unnecessary Items
Take a moment to reflect on where your money is going. Add up how much you’ve spent on non-essential items. This will help you identify areas where you might be overspending and give you insight into where you can cut back.
Set Boundaries with Your Money
Are there areas where you’re overspending or getting distracted? Take a minute to assess your financial boundaries. What do you need to cut back on? Where can you be more intentional? Setting clear boundaries with money is an act of self-respect and will help you take control of your financial future.
Start Building Your Financial Literacy
You don’t need to be a financial expert right away, but start taking the time to learn. Whether it’s reading articles, watching videos, or listening to podcasts, make it a habit to educate yourself about money. The more you know, the more empowered you’ll be to make decisions that align with your long-term goals.
As we move into the new year, I want to make this approach to finances feel less overwhelming and less like a fear. In all reality, we just have to do what works for you and your money. If you have any questions or need support along the way, feel free to reach out.
Be sure to connect with us on Instagram @flofblog and @financethebrand.
