#150 My Top 3 Money Lessons from 2025

Welcome to the final Money Edition of 2025!

Last week, I shared my Top 3 Takeaways from 2025’s AI Editions. This week, we're doing the same thing for our Money Editions 💰️ 

Time is money, right? Then let’s get to it!

TOP $$ TAKEAWAYS FROM 2025 💰️ 

Takeaway #1: “Pay Yourself First” Is Underrated AF.

This simple concept has done wonders for me. It makes sense, and it doesn’t require a ton of effort. Simply put:

Pay Yourself First before you pay anything else.

In the past, I’d get paid and immediately dish it right back out to credit cards, loans, subscriptions…everyone else got their cut first. Then I'm left trying to figure out what to do with the scraps 🫠 

Let me be clear: this isn't about dodging your debts or being irresponsible. But by paying yourself first, you’re better able to manage your savings while paying what’s owed at a pace that works for you.

This is more psychological than anything, but that's exactly why it works. It rewires how you see yourself in the money equation. You're the priority, not an afterthought. Every time you pay yourself first, you’re building financial self-respect. You’re saying, “My financial well-being comes first.”

This isn't some monumental tactic that will make you rich. But, it’s a habit worth exploring. I feel different every time I get paid now. That subtle change is value enough.

Takeaway #2: Talk Money With Someone You Trust

Looking back on every money conversation I've had, one truth has become impossible to ignore this year.

The internet is full of money hacks and tips, and yet we’re starving for real advice we can trust. That’s not to say all the content out there sucks; every third week of the month, we link to the best of what we find. But none of those articles know you. They don’t know your specific situation. They are generic advice columns or inspiring stories that may or may not be applicable to your life.

That's why you need one person in your life you can talk to about money.

Like, reeeeeally talk about it. What's working, what you're struggling with, what you're learning, and then hearing their perspective in return.

Maybe they know someone who can help. Maybe they've been through the same thing. Maybe just saying it out loud helps you see it clearer.

Whatever the case, having someone along for your money journey is amazing. Especially because…

Money is emotional as hell!!

It's frustrating. It's exciting. It's stressful. It's empowering. It's a ton of emotions stacked on top of one another. And you shouldn't be alone with all that.

I challenge you to find this person in 2026.

PS: The person I talk to about money is a decade older than me (I’m 32). He’s actually friends with my older brother and he was the first person I interviewed for the OTF Behind The Grind Series earlier this year.

Takeaway #3: Stay Informed and Build Relationships

Let’s handle these separately.

Lesson #1: Stay Informed

Whatever industry you work in, you need to know what's happening in it. Not just for your specific role, but the whole sha-bang. What's changing? What's growing? What’s actually going on outside your role / company / niche?

When you stay informed, you’re able to speak intelligently about your field. People begin to notice. Colleagues start coming to you with questions. Management sees you as someone who gets it. Clients think more of you.

Some people spend so much energy hunting for and chasing opportunities, but staying informed is how you get those opportunities to come to you.

(Although, I might be skipping a step, because next you need to…)

Lesson #2: Build Relationships

Once you’re informed, and people start coming to you for information, you need to cultivate those relationships. Establish those connections. Bring value.

Maybe that former colleague you’ve known for a decade is now a business owner. Or maybe they’ve got a new role in a company you find intriguing. Or maybe it’s something else, any number of variations. Fortunately, you’ve built a relationship with this person and when you reach out, they’re happy to tell you everything about what they’re doing, including openings, possibilities, or opportunities.

You’ve heard the saying “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” Well, from my POV, it’s both. If you’re missing one, a great opportunity could potentially pass you by, but if you’ve got both, possibilities multiply.

Sometimes, building wealth seems like such a tall task. And don’t get me wrong: it takes a ton of time, hard work, and yeah, some luck along the way too. But if you’re able to do the three things above - prioritize your goals, learn from people you trust, and build both your knowledge and network - you’ve laid a strong foundation that your future self will appreciate.

Before You Go!

Thanks again for reading. We’re gonna wrap up 2025 with one final review, this one courtesy of Prof Mike. Looking forward to see what he has in store!

We’ve also got some plans for 2026, which I’ll lay out in a bonus edition right before New Year’s. Thanks again to all of you for your loyalty and support.

As always, see you next Tuesday 🤝 

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