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Why it matters to save your first $1,000 when you’re $200k in debt
How to have enough pt 2: Real Constraints vs. Mindset Shift

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ridefreefearlessmoney

Feminist financial educator & consultant / courses, workbooks, coaching & workshops / hustle real talk for values-driven folks

Ride Free Fearless Money
Buying a house or apartment has lots of hidden cos Buying a house or apartment has lots of hidden costs - are you aware of them? Because certain apps use psychology to keep you using them, it’s in their interest to make homes seem more accessible by not showing ALL the costs. This keeps you hopefully scrolling, but can lead to disappointment and nasty surprises.⁠ ⁠ I’ll always tell it straight: a mortgage payment usually includes *at least* what’s called PITI: principal, interest, taxes, and insurance. Sometimes you’ll ALSO need to pay: mortgage insurance (PMI), a HOA, condo or coop fee. These are just the “normal” fees to expect in your monthly bill.⁠ ⁠ You should also plan to have a maintenance/fixing things fund, as well as to pay for things you might not have to pay for as a renter, like water/sewer, trash service and of course your everyday utilities.⁠ ⁠ Finally, when buying, have a slush fund around $1k available to pay for appraisal and inspection, FedEx fees or other last-minute costs of a real estate transaction. And don’t forget that closing costs tend to run an additional 4-7% of the purchase price - and they can’t always all be rolled into the mortgage. Talk to your broker and get ALL info to set your expectations ahead of time!⁠ ⁠ In my upcoming Money Tips to Buy a Home remote workshop on March 7, we go through a super precise calculator, so folks can estimate the REAL costs to own their home and be ready to avoid surprises and get going.⁠ ⁠ The more you know, the more confident you can feel while you scroll, and drool, and plan, and take action!⁠ ⁠ #realestate #buyahome #homepurchase #firsthome #snl⁠
So many causes to continue to support as we near a So many causes to continue to support as we near a year of this pandemic. Yesterday I tried to support you overcoming decision fatigue. Today I offer a more detailed guide to sustain your giving. See my blog post on resilient giving for a full spectrum of giving plans and a worksheet to guide you in make your own. #resilientgiving #givingplans #donations #plan #donate #sustainability #mutualaid #workingclass #middleclass #owningclass #giving
#donations #resilientgiving #donations #resilientgiving
I love coaching folks through money in relationshi I love coaching folks through money in relationships, cuz I've been there. #Money⁠ #money #realtalk #relationshipgoals #roommates #family #moneymatters
#entrepreneur #hustle #smallbusiness #businessowne #entrepreneur #hustle #smallbusiness #businessowner #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurlife #work #goals #business #ilovemyjob #income #integrity #justice #equality
Some learnings from my experience coaching folks o Some learnings from my experience coaching folks on all sides of the spectrum. #classmatters
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“Her working class femme money genius has been an invaluable tool to help me.” - Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, writer, educator

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“Taking this “money management” class is one of the best things I have ever done for myself. Do yrself a favor and sign up!!!!” -- M., Live ACK Class, Jan 2016

"I paid off my biggest credit card last week. I still can't believe it. Your class kicked it into high gear for me. The shift was totally in the idea of taking myself more seriously and believing that there will be a future me. Huge shift." -- K., freelance designer

“I learned more than I knew I needed to know about money in Damien’s class and I don’t regret it!” -- RYAN B., bike mechanic

“Just wanted to express gratitude for all your money teachings and tips! My sweetie and I are using it together and it’s helped us talk about money and planning with less shame and guilt.” -- ANONYMOUS, online

“I never wanted to take a course on financial planning because I had always assumed it would be over my head or speak to values that didn’t resonate with me. But this class was designed for people like me! Damien shares my values of social justice, and helped me to figure out fair, ethical ways to relate to money.” -- DARA B, education consultant, dareconsulting.com

“As a chronically ill femme of color artist living the freelance life, money is often a source of fear and uncertainty for me. I took Damien’s class and was blown away by her clarity and sensitivity. How amazing to learn about money with someone who is so anchored in social justice! She created a warm, inclusive environment; was on-point about intersectionality, and shared incredibly useful tools and tips. I never thought that discussing money could be so fun, and I left the class feeling a new sense of hope and possibility.” -- ANONYMOUS, Freelance artist

“I feel more calm about money after this. I’m shocked. I realized that I don’t have to use the same symbols and judgements that everyone else seems to use when they talk about this stuff. That’s really powerful.” - BEVIN B., blogger & lawyer queerfatfemme.com

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