Letter #5 – ✍️ Writing from NYC 🍎

So, in this letter, we’ll share:

• Our golden rules of budgeting 💵

• Annnnnnnd a sneak peek into our budgeting system 👀, including how much we set aside each month for investments.

Self first, always.

In 2015, Angie discovered the magic of a Morning Routine—✨ Dedicating the first precious hours of the day, when your mind is clearest and most productive, to investing in yourself. ✨

Angie was SO fascinated. 🤯 “OMG it’s the ultimate act of self-compassion.” ❤️‍🔥

So, she crafted a routine that lets her do it all 🤭: workout, meditate, read, journal, and plan for the day.

But here's the magic 🪄—before 2015, Angie barely cracked open a book (unless you count the required school textbooks 🤷🏻‍♀️).

So, she made a commitment—30 minutes a day, on the couch 🛋️ with a book.  No excuses, no shortcuts. Whether she sped through pages or barely made it past the first paragraph, she stayed put.

Fast forward a year, and she went from 0 to 24 books. Yeppp, 24!!! 😳 Even today, Angie’s pretty impressed with her former self. 👏

Nearly a decade later, her morning routine has evolved, but one thing remains constant—she always shows up for it. 🧡

Budgeting is also an act of self-compassion.

It’s like saving up for that family trip next year or cooking at home instead of ordering takeout because you're aiming for better health.

We’re not just budgeting to build future wealth (though that’ll happen naturally), but to find peace with our spending in the present moment. 😌

Wealth is intentional, not accidental. 💎

Our Golden Rules of Budgeting

Why splurge on a designer bag now when you could achieve financial freedom sooner, allowing for adventures and quality time with loved ones?

Rule #1

Self first, always.

As soon as your income hits your bank account, set aside a percentage for investment. 💰➡️📈

The general guideline is the 50/30/20 rule: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for investments.

For example, if you make $3,000 per month, allocate $600 (20%) for investments.

The higher the percentage, the faster you reach your financial freedom. 🏃‍♀️‍➡️🏃‍➡️ What to invest? Check out our Letter #4.

Remember, loving yourself means prioritizing your freedom by investing in it first. 🫶

Rule #2

It has to hurt a little bit.

After returning from Mexico in May, we found ourselves tight on every budget category. 🥲 So, we spent the rest of the month being extra careful with our spending.

And yeah, it did hurt a little bit. 🥺 Saying no to our favorite chocolate bar at Whole Foods or skipping takeout when we were too lazy to cook—those moments hurt.

Yet, just like sore muscles after a tough workout, 🏋️ there's a strange satisfaction in it. It reminds us that we're in this for the long haul. 💪

That’s why we don’t settle for the 20% rule. We set aside 60% of our monthly after-tax paycheck for investments. 💸

Because if it doesn’t hurt a little, we’re not pushing hard enough. 😌

That's it for today. Hope it's helpful for your journey to Freedom 🙏

Love you to freedom and back, 🫰

Angie & Tyler

P.S. Let’s spread the love 🫶 If you know someone who could benefit from our tips, feel free to forward this email to them 💌!

Things We are Loving Right Now ❤️‍🔥

💪 Wellness

• 💆🏻‍♀️ Tyler got Angie this weird-looking thing for her birthday. She was skeptical at first, but now she’s obsessed. 😍 She takes it everywhere—from her desk to bed—to soothe her sore muscles.

• 💊 Aging brings many things, 🫠 including a growing collection of daily supplements. And Angie never thought she’d appreciate this case so much. She even gave Tyler side-eye when he bought eight of them before a one-month trip. But with all our constant traveling, it’s been a game-changer—no more skipping pills because we don’t feel like digging them out of the boxes every day.