She Was 24 and Done Waiting | Sis, She Did It

She was 24, working full-time, and quietly drowning in $20,000 of debt. Not because she didn’t see it — she watched it build, decision by decision — but because facing it felt like standing at the edge of a hole with no way out. She was tracking her money, not managing it. No emergency fund, no plan, just pressure humming under everything while she told herself she had time to figure it out later.

Then something shifted. Not a windfall, not a rescue — a choice. She stopped waiting for the “right time” and picked herself instead, scared and unsure it would work. What happened next changed how she saw her money, her business, and herself — including one quiet realization about what she believed she could never have. You’ll want to hear her say it in her own words.

Ready to write your own story? Join Bridgett for Women, Wealth & Wine — August 26 in Houston, TX. An evening of real financial strategy, community, and wine. Seats are limited. Register at dickeyfinancialfirm.com.
Can’t make it? Book your free 30-minute clarity call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/gladysmarketing-consultation-call
Hosted by Bridgett Dickey, Wealth Educator & Strategist, founder of Dickey Financial Services & Wealth Management Firm.

Transcript

She was 24 and Done Waiting | Sis, She Did It

​[00:00:00]

Welcome back to Sis Mind Your Money. I'm your host, Bridgett Dickey, wealth educator and strategist, and founder of Dickey Financial Services and Wealth Management Firm. This season, I'm doing something a little different. No lectures about budgets and spreadsheets. I'm bringing you real women telling their real stories in their own words.

Because most of us aren't avoiding our money because we're bad with it. We're avoiding it because we're scared of what we will find. We tell ourselves, "I'll deal with it later." Later turns into a year, and a year turns into a decade. Every woman you will hear from in this series started there, right where you may be sitting today.

So listen close. Somewhere in her [00:01:00] story is a piece of yours. And stay till the end. I have something coming August 26th, and you don't wanna miss it. Let's get into it

we are live with one of my clients who I absolutely love. I love all my ladies. I love me some Jasmine. she's probably one of my youngest babies.

I love it. we're going to talk to Jasmine, get to know her a little bit more, learn about her, where she is in life. 'cause we know one thing when we talk about money, money is so personal, there's a lot of shame, there's guilt, there's anxiety, there's stress.

There's all the things when it comes to money, especially when your money not right. And a lot of times we will blame ourselves, and it is not your fault, okay. you are not your financial mistakes, but often women will sit there and believe they are the financial mistake, and that's just what it is. but I'm here to share with you that you can get the help and the support you need and not [00:02:00] feel overwhelmed.

And I just want you to hear from my clients, just hear from their experience, and what they've been through and where they are today. And we are not striving for perfection. We are striving for progress, right? And if you striving for perfection, we'll get to excellence, okay? don't think nothing is gonna be perfect.

Life will happen. Things will happen. I think oftentimes we think life is not gonna happen. It will. We just don't know how it's gonna look, okay? Jasmine, tell me a little bit about you and what you do and who you are. Oh. As you said, my name is Jasmine. I am 24 years old. I've been out of college for about four years now working full time.

I'm very familiar with having full-time job and the benefits and also the introduction to credit cards. And, just the general topic of money management without the management part at first. I've- Am very heavy family oriented, there's a lot of, like, trips and, [00:03:00] you know, expenses other than just bills and everything.

but I'm involved in my, job, family, and just staying in tact with my faith and church and everything. that's, that's a little bit about me in a nutshell. Excited to be here. Well, look, yes, yes, we're excited to have you. tell me about your financial life before you start working with me together.

How was your financial life before me? tell them, like, in one sentence. Yes. Or if you can, if it's not even a sentence, maybe it's some phrases or just some terms or some statements or- Yes ... what, how was your life, financial life?

debt to income ratio was terrible. I had, I was tracking my money, not managing it, and I was never looking or planning for the future. no emergency fund, nothing. I was living in the now. Okay, okay. And there's no shame, no teeth, no judge. that's where, look, we've all at one point in time in life.

I think that's it. We think nobody's [00:04:00] been there like all of us. Like, life happens, y'all. Give me, think back then when we first met, and that was like in November- ... of 2025, right? how, what is a feeling? How were you feeling? You have to give me like one word, two word. Like, how were you feeling about your financial life?

What word comes to mind? Pressure. I was avoiding the pressure, but it was there. I was trying to ignore it- Okay ... and turn the other way, but it was there. Okay. pressure, that feeling. Yeah. Pressure, that's not a good feeling. It's not. It could be, but it's some situation, it sound like pressure was not a good feeling.

Okay. Okay. what made you... 'Cause you, you met me, we were on, I was on the stage. You heard me for, was there a few hours. Yes. What made you say, "I need to, hire her. I need to work with her"? Just, hearing, one, how you talked about you and your relationship with money as well, and also seeing how you engaged in conversation.

And also your, how now I learn million dollar [00:05:00] squad, which who your million dollar squad is. I was like, "I- You're my million ... I was like connected with that. We, we connected. Yeah. Yeah. It's a difference when you're around people who make money. It's a difference around people who have lost it, made it, can show you how to do it, willing to help you.

It's a different world. Definitely. And everyone needs that squad. Everyone needs that sisterhood. And I'm blessed to have... Look, shout out to Black Women Invest. those are my sisters. Chelo, founder of Black Women Invest. It's, it's a beautiful thing to have that. And everyone started off somewhere. I think at times we think, oh, you see people now and they've made...

Look, everybody done started off on the struggle bus in their life and things and happening. but I'm gla- okay, you was like, " I gotta, she the one." "Let's get her." Okay. what was your experience like day one start working with me? What was that like? definitely one of accountability. Like, looking at things like, oh, this stuff isn't happening to me.

I'm, I created this dynamic [00:06:00] with my money myself with small decisions that led into this giant explosion. And it's not like I didn't see it coming, I just, again, had my... was looking the other direction, everything was kind of building up. You know, this decision on top of this decision. And those are the things I could control.

The things I couldn't control was, inflation and, you know, getting a pay cut, stuff like that. And that's That's good. I love when you said that. You said inflation. You said it was things you know that you contribute to. It's certain things like in, in the world things happen. Like right now, we can't control wars, but we know if a war or something happens, what?

Inflation- Right ... that affects the cost of living. But it's some things that we'll keep doing that's gonna show you when inflation happens, and it will- it's gonna always happen, that you're ready for it. Right. And then if something does go up, then you're not, " Okay, I'm freaking out," right? "I can't, live because something went up from $5 to $20."

Right. And that's really s- if I look at [00:07:00] inflation, if you go to the grocery store you can dramatically see things. You know- ... oh, I was paying, it was one item I, used to buy at Costco, just the power of inflation. It was the, oh, what are they called? Scrubbies? They, the, like the little scrub pads and it got a smiley face.

 I think they called Scrubbies or something like that. When I first bought them, that was like, mm, maybe a year or so, maybe over a year ago, and they were $8. $8. I needed to buy some more. They last a while. Uh-huh. And you know how much they cost now at Costco? How, how much?

$15. Wow. Literally. didn't go from like $8 to like 10, you know, like two or $3. We literally- Almost doubled ... it doubled. Yeah, well, plus tax. Yeah. Yeah. It was like 15.90 something, yeah, $16. literally things are doubling. yeah, you can have $100 bill, and $100 bill back in the day used to, you could get a lot with $100 bill.

You walk in, I know, I spent $100 at the grocery store and I had [00:08:00] two bags. Yes. Yeah. But that's what happened. okay, good to know that's ... actually what it looks like. What was your, your aha moment? Like, when you were going through this process with me and we were working together, did you ever feel, you know, feel defeated?

I don't want you to sugarcoat this. What were you really feeling? I felt like I was in a hole and I was not gonna be able to get myself out. There was no paid professional that could get me out of what I was in. Okay. She said, "Ain't nobody can help me. Y'all, I, this is, Okay. what's different today?

There is, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Apparently I've learned that. Oh, good. and even just starting to work with you, I was beginning to see like, "Okay, I, I can get control of this again" And I slowly- 

started to, the pressure shifted from like, fear and anxiety, and it was more of like- Pressure to, like, build my future and more of a, like, an adrenaline financial adrenaline, something like that. made me [00:09:00] excited to start working with my money and, getting control of my finances and my financial foundation, of my life.

Especially 'cause, like, I'm 24, I don't wanna mess it up now and then I get 15, 20, 30 years down the line and I'm dealing with debt that I, you know, got in college. And just having to talk through all of that. You know, answering questions of where do I want to be, what do I want my finances to look like?

Well, I didn't really, I've never really thought of what I wanted because I'm so stuck in this hole that I've got myself in. Yeah. Okay. look here, I gotta tell y'all something. what I have my sis mind your money, like, we need to figure out your number, what lifestyle you wanna live, and she, we did this together, it was so sweet, and she was trying, "Bridgett, this costs this."

I'm like, "I don't care how much it costs. What is it that you want? What lifestyle you want?" And that was something that you never knew, like, the [00:10:00] number to, in order to have this lifestyle. And one thing I'll share with y'all is that she thought that it was gonna cost a million dollars to live the lifestyle she wanted.

It was gonna cost a million. And it was just, "Oh, God, just, I can never have this." And I'm thinking, "Well, yes you can. Like, it's not gonna cost a million dollars." It did not cost a million dollars. It did not cost a million dollars. I mean, what, a quarter? Yeah. And I said, "Well, what you gonna do with the other 700 and something thou-" Like, it didn't cost what she thought.

And a lot of times we're thinking like, "Oh, I can't have that", and it's, you can have whatever you want. I need you to write it down. That's why having a plan, getting your finances together. And I commend you. Like you said, you're your age. I have clients who work, we were all 20, you know, depending on who listening to this.

 24, and then when they, I have people who come to me and they are 55, and they are- ... drowning in debt. And a lot of it, when I look back, it was debt that was in their 20s, in their 30s, in their 40s. And they haven't gotten past it. And now I wanna [00:11:00] retire. I don't wanna keep working. And I'm like, "Well, you know, you're working past 65.

You're gonna be 75." And they were, "What?" You know? it's the fact that to understand the power of having it together now early, and I, I love that for you. what would you say to someone who's on the fence about getting help with their finances? What would you say to them?

Look pride in the face and tell it it has to go. There is no room for it here because at the end of the day, pride can leave us... from experience, I know it's gonna leave me broke, without community, or it can. And without a community that can help me get to a life that can help me actually live my life and not just survive it, and just embrace the change and the accountability.

Because at the end of the day, all of that isn't... It's not just gonna better our own lives, but also, like, children, family, if we have a business. Like, that's just what I've seen [00:12:00] and what I've heard, and so... And I've seen it work for a lot of people. hey, what I've been doing hasn't been working, let me try something different.

That, you know, that's the definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. Yeah. And you just keep doing the same thing over and over. You never changed it, but then I, I always said stop going insane, you know? And take charge of your life. And the fact that you took charge, I love the fact that you pressed past your fears, that ego, the insecurities, the, look, the, good Jasmine on one shoulder-

the bad one over here. Yeah. You know, it's like you- Yeah ... you're sitting over here and you're like, "Which one I listen to?" You know, or thing is on social media or, oh, they're living a certain lifestyle, and can, could that really be me? But I would say what is the life you want, and what are your wins?

And what... And that's what we talked about. Like, what is it? And it was tailored to what you wanted. Yes. It wasn't something out in the universe saying, no, you was saying, "No, Bridgett, these my goals. This is what I wanna do." [00:13:00] Okay, let's figure out how to get there, you know? And this is a lifelong journey that you're gonna take, is with your finances.

at 24, what- ... pushed you to take your money and your business seriously this early? What pushed me was the, deferred interest on the credit card for one. This is the first thing- That was gonna, it was gonna hit me in like three months. I said, "Wait a minute. No, I can't do this. I'm gonna be back at square one."

but really I think it was outside of that deferred interest situation, it was really a choice. There wasn't really anything that pushed me outside of the fear that I was gonna have to go to my family and say, "Hey, I need help. you know, I have all this debt." And now I was so, I was gonna be asking to be rescued from decisions that I had made.

but it was a choice to like, do I want to live with that weight on my shoulders? Or do I want to live with the freedom that I own everything I have. Mm. I can take trips without paying for that trip for [00:14:00] seven years. I can actually build generational wealth and not generational debt. And like those questions, that, you know, do I want this or do I want that, that is what kind of pushed me to make that choice, let me get the help now.

It's never too late, and it's never too early. You know one thing I heard you say, you pushed past your fears. You, it was a greater thing. And you didn't allow your fears and insecurity. You was like, "No, that's not the life I want, and I'ma, pick me in this situation." And often women, it's hard.

We pick and we choose and we help everybody else. The men in our lives, the boo things, the husbands, the job, the church, the community, school, you name it. And women can't be, "Oh, I'ma just choose me in this situation." And the fact that you said, "No, I'ma choose me." You know, I got this. Let me, this is where, I see myself.

you've mentioned a lot about debt, now l- let's talk about it a little bit. Where are you with [00:15:00] the like when you first started with me, right? And that situation looked like, what it look like now? Oh, I started off, what we talking $19,000, $20,000 just between the credit cards and then, what I owed on my car.

but now I'm down, One credit card and then one line of credit. That's down to 11,000, 12,000. And then, like, like I'll be completely debt-free by the end of 2027. Like, that's what we're talking. Before, it was, because of all the interest, we're talking five, six years that I was still gonna be in debt.

But with the plan that we've walked through, or that you've talked me through, and with the resources, the reading, the books, the mindset changes, the perspective changes, all of that, like I'm on track to be completely debt-free, you know, with my car. No credit cards, no lines of credit, nothing by the end of 2027.

And it's a great feeling to know that there's an end to this, [00:16:00] and that I can give myself credit because I did the work, and I'm not afraid to keep doing the work to stay or to, you know, elevate. I love that because we, we getting you control with the bad debt. And a lot of time we don't know what that bad debt, good debt is.

That bad debt is those credit cards, them loans, car notes, luxury. Not saying you can't get a car note, but can we be strategic about it? Yes. Right? how do we do we maybe need to lease this? Like- Yeah ... how can we do some things? Can we put it under the business name? You know? So it's just really what is the plan.

But that, you wanna get away from that bad debt. Yeah. Consumer debt. Get rid of it. Get some good debt all day long. That's- ... building a business, getting debt under the business name. Or if you purchase a home and you're saying, "Hey, I can pull equity." 'Cause then you can make money off your money. Yes.

And but it's understanding that, and like you said, that level of education and that support- ... on where you [00:17:00] are. We met in November. To see where you are come, and y'all, we talking right now. Today is what? June 19. Yes. Juneteenth. And 2026, this is where we are. In that short period of time- 

that you have been trying to figure this all on your own And a lot of time I think we, you need that help. You need that support. And I love that. Okay. we ask you, we know you got, you have a business. how has it affected you in your business life? 'Cause yes, you still work a full-time job.

But you, your vision is to one day fire the boss. Work for yourself. how has this journey helped you even in your business life right now? definitely my, word for this year because of how I ended the year, stewardship is my word for this year. And stewarding my money but also my time, the energy I put into things.

just being able to have that confidence with how I move and manage my money, that's also carrying over to other areas of my life. with my business, you know, not being afraid to, [00:18:00] move and go out and get business with the good enough products. I don't have to strive for perfection.

I'm not looking for perfection. I just need, try something, do something. And then my clients that I've worked with, they like they love giving me feedback. that's also been a great tool and, just something to see as I'm working through that confidence of moving in my business and, you know, like I said, other areas of my life too.

But yes, my business has definitely been something I had on the back burner. I was afraid to get into it, or I don't have time. I don't wanna spend money on it 'cause I wanna pay off this debt. But now that I am getting the debt under control and my confidence is, way more than it, than I had before, I am stepping out on moving in my business and connecting and networking and building my community for that.

Wow. it, I heard you [00:19:00] say that 'cause you getting your money right has affected- Yeah ... you and your confidence. Feel that you are, that you have the ability, I, I feel more confident in me that I can do this- Yeah ... just by taking these steps. I think a lot of time we think sometimes it has to be these big grand gestures- 

or big grand things. It's just as simple of you choosing you, and that's what you did. Yes. That you decided to make, "I'ma keep the promise to myself." look, a lot of young women feel they have plenty of time to figure out money. I got plenty of time to figure this out. I ain't worried about that.

I'm young. I'm gonna figure it out. What would you tell them? Plenty of time is plenty of time until it's not.

Plenty of time could be years, and then tomorrow plenty of time could just be months, because there are so many factors and variables in our economy, in our country, in the world that we can't control. And now is always a good time. No better time than the present. You don't know. Yeah. Let me say this too, the biggest lie that anybody ever tell you, you have time.

You can [00:20:00] make more money. You cannot get your time back. You cannot. You can't get your next year, last year back, or last week, an hour back. You can't. No. You can make more money. You cannot get your time back. be mindful, be useful of the time that you do have. Oh, I know, especially culturally too, "Oh, I'm gonna wait till the beginning of the year."

we still got how many more months in the year? you gonna wait all the way. Why? Because that's just what's been told of you. Start off fresh. A new year can be tomorrow. This is my year of... You determine it. But I love the fact that you said, "Look, my confidence and where I am and what I'm doing, and this is where I am.

And I'm glad I chose me." I love the fact that you have made such huge strides, that you did.

Yeah ... having somebody to help you with life or when life happens, "Bridgett, this happened. What I'm supposed to do?" You know? To have that, it really helps. It does. It helps you out. look- [00:21:00] It's, it's been great. Like, And I'm of you. I love to see where you are. and she came to my Women, Wealth, and Wine.

Look, just I'm gonna give you a sneak peek. I'll be back in Dallas in November. November 13th, I will be back in Dallas. Hey. Yes, at Winsome Prime. I'm so excited, for the Women, Wealth, and Wine. It's on another level. Now she's financially, we got her on a plan. Now it's like, how do you start building wealth?

And that's the next level, that she would be taking a journey with me. You know, now we're going to the next phase, and there are different phases because I want all my women to have a financial plan on paper so they can live the life they want on their terms. I want you to own land, properties, where you have money working for you.

And a lot of it starts with that conversation. It's breaking those barriers down. One thing you kept saying throughout the interview is that the mindset, and that's so important. Yes. 'Cause a lot of time you can talk yourself out of it. You go over there, "No, don't do it. Uh-uh. Nah, I'm scared." I was so scared, I'll be transparent.

you saw me on stage in [00:22:00] November. I was terrified. Wow. And weeks before I was just like, "Should I be doing this? I'm not for sure." I was terrified. I forgot to tell them to do this, and my coach was like, "Well, did you tell 'em that?" I said, "Nah, I forgot." But I did it anyway, and it wasn't about me. It was the fact that I needed to be there for Jasmine's.

 she needed me, sothat's the way I look at it. When I get afraid and I'm scared and I'm nervous, it's really you are doing it for somebody else. It's really not for you. Okay? anything else you wanna share? Last final thoughts. We are done. This has been a beautiful time. Thank you for accepting my invitation.

Yeah. Any last thoughts? yes. It's different when you have an accountability partner that is not family. Now I'm gonna point that out, because having someone that can talk to me about my money, like, that... Some people are are ashamed to talk to their family about their situation, this helps. Even if that wasn't my story, this does help, and I could definitely tell the difference with the feedback and the [00:23:00] encouragement and the unbiased advice that I received as well, because it, I mean, getting that from a mom or a dad or a cousin or a uncle, it's, it's different.

that, I definitely appreciate that. Oh, yeah. They, a lot of time their family sitting in judgment. Yes. And you like, "Well, how did you..." And then you like, "Well, they, they making it look like they ain't never done nothing wrong." And I always had to know this. You point one finger, three point back at you, really four at you.

if you doing this, you know. And I think it's just that I want it to be a safe place. I want you to know that I have been through some things. I'ma share some things with you, like, hey, I can, we can avoid that. if you about to go there, I'ma tell you what you need to do. And that's what a lot of times you learn my mess has been my message.

Things that I've learned, things that I have gone through, I can share with someone else. if I can prevent you from not going through with it, I done my job, you know? And look, if you wanna hear more of this, and you will, make sure you share this [00:24:00] with someone, another sister that needs to hear this.

Give me five-star reviews. More people can learn about this. look, build this sisterhood. Be your sister's keeper. be there for your sister. Look out for her. You heard this, share it with her. And there will be more to come. I'm so excited. If you have questions, you wanna book your money clarity call with me, I do offer a 30-minute no charge time with me.

and you can go to dickeyfinancialfirm.com and book your session today. But sis, go mind your money. 

I hope you heard what I heard. A woman being vulnerable, not afraid to share her story. Here's your takeaway. She didn't start with all the answers. She didn't start with a perfect income or a perfect credit score. She started with a decision, and then she put her plan on paper. So let me ask you, if I sat down with you one year from today, what would your story sound [00:25:00] like?

The same as it does right now, or something like hers? Sis, you don't need more money to get started. You need a plan. Which brings me to August 26th. I'm hosting Women, Wealth, and Wine right here in Houston, Texas. An evening of real strategy, real community, and yes, real wine. This is not a webinar. This is you in a room with women who are serious about their future.

Seats are limited. Go to dickeyfinancialfirm.com to register. Can't make it to Houston? Book your free 30-minute clarity call with me. No pressure, no sales, no pitch. Just 30 minutes to get honest about where you are and where you want to go. The link is in the show notes. And if this episode blessed you, follow the show, leave a rating, and send it to another woman who needs to hear this.

You know exactly who [00:26:00] she is. Until next time, mind your money, sis.