TMEPODCAST

This week on the podcast, I had the chance to sit down with my friend Brooke — again! If you’ve been following along, you might remember her from a previous episode. Brooke is a total force: she’s an aerialist, a Pilates instructor, and one of those people who seems to have knowledge pouring out of her in the best way. But beyond all of that, one thing I truly admire about her is how financially savvy she is.

Brooke learned about money early in life — not through formal education, but through real-life lessons from her grandfather and father. They taught her how money works, how to save wisely, and how to think long-term. Over time, she took those lessons, ran with them, and built a solid foundation of financial literacy — something she now shares so generously with others.

In this episode, we dive into a topic many people avoid: money.

We talk about:

• The importance of understanding where your money is going
• How to make your money work for you (even if you’re starting small)
• Why it’s critical to take advantage of employer-offered retirement plans like 401(k)s, Roth 401(k)s, and 403(b)s
• And how to start investing without needing a financial advisor

A lot of people aren’t saving — or they are, but their money is just sitting in a regular savings account, barely growing. And it’s not because they’re careless — often, it’s because they feel overwhelmed by terms like “stocks,” “bonds,” or “index funds.” Others just don’t know where to start or who to ask for help.

Brooke emphasizes the importance of taking advantage of tools that are available — especially if your employer offers a 401(k) or 403(b) with matching contributions. That’s free money on the table, and contributing enough to get the match is one of the simplest ways to start building long-term financial security.

Last year, I made a financial decision I regret — I handed over control of my money to someone I thought I could trust. She had worked on Wall Street, seemed more than experienced, super knowledgable, and said all the right things. But a year later, I realized I had lost thousands of dollars. Between high fees, poor investment choices, and not fully understanding what I was signing up for, I learned a very expensive and painful lesson.

I lost sleep. I felt shame. But that loss pushed me to take my financial education into my own hands. Now, I ask questions. I do the research. I understand where my money is going. And more than anything, I don’t outsource that power anymore.

And that’s one of the biggest takeaways from this episode: you don’t need a financial advisor to get started. With the right tools and some curiosity, you can learn how to grow your money, protect it, and plan for your future. Once you move past the fear and intimidation, it can actually feel empowering — and yes, even fun.

Whether you’re just starting to save, trying to rebuild after a loss, or finally curious about how investing works, this episode will meet you where you are.

It’s real. It’s encouraging. And it might just be the nudge you need to finally take charge of your financial future.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now — and follow Brooke on Instagram @aerial_brooke for more insight and inspiration.