Loc’d in Finance: Master Money, Build Wealth

Stay financial, stay jiggy!

Hey there! Welcome to Loc’d in Finance—a space where we dive into the world of personal finance, early retirement, investing, business literacy, and digital marketing, all while keeping it real for young adults like me and you.

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Who Am I?

I’m Aaliyah, a 17-year-old early college student with big dreams of achieving financial independence. I’m not there yet, but that’s why I’m here—to take you along for the ride as I work toward it. Whether you’re starting from a wealthy background or not, what I’m doing is achievable, and I’m here to show you how.

Why Am I Here?

Let me be real with you: I come from a family where my mom and stepdad’s combined income could be considered “wealthy.” But that didn’t mean I got everything handed to me on a silver platter. My parents wanted me to work hard for what I want, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. This blog and my soon-to-be digital marketing business aren’t projects they’re financially backing—I’m taking the risk on my own, learning every step of the way.

No matter where you’re starting from, whether you come from a poor or wealthy background, this path to financial independence is possible for you too. My goal is to share my experiences and help you grow, no matter your financial situation.

What Can You Expect?

At Loc’dInFinance, I’ll take you through my journey as I work on:

• Building wealth through smart investing (I love index funds!)

• Affiliate marketing and how it can be a great way to create passive income

• Planning for early retirement—yes, it’s possible, even when it seems far off

• Starting a digital marketing business—what it is, how to start, the pros and cons, and why I believe in it as a way to build your future

I want to show you how digital marketing can open up new opportunities for income, even if you’re starting with zero experience. I’ll be sharing everything I learn while launching my business, from the strategies that work to the lessons I pick up from trial and error.

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How I’m Going About This
I’m breaking this journey into steps, and the first step is all about saving. Before anything else, you have to build a foundation, and that starts with learning how to SAVE, SAVE, SAVE. Here’s why saving is the most important first step:

1. It gives you a safety net to fall back on if things don’t go as planned.
2. You need capital to invest in things like index funds or to start your own business.
3. Saving helps you develop discipline, which is key to sticking with a financial plan.

Remember, saving and budgeting go hand in hand. If you have a job, it’s crucial to budget your money wisely. Right now, I’m working hard to save as much as I can, and I encourage you to do the same. Whether you’re earning a little or a lot, every dollar saved brings you closer to financial independence. If you have a job, it’s even more important to budget your money wisely. I recommend starting with NerdWallet’s 50/20/30 Budget Calculator—it’s a fantastic tool for anyone just starting to budget, especially if you don’t have many responsibilities or expenses. The 50/20/30 rule helps you allocate 50% of your income toward needs, 20% toward savings, and 30% toward wants. I’ll explain more about this rule in a future post, but for now, I’ll link the calculator at the end of this blog to get you started!

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Why Loc’d in Finance?

This blog is about more than just me—it’s about showing you that anyone can take control of their financial future, even if the road seems tough. As a young African American woman, I’ve faced some challenges, but I’m committed to breaking through them. I’m not depending on my parents to financially support my blog or my business, and I want you to know that building financial independence is possible without a safety net.

Whether you’re curious about investing, considering digital marketing, or just trying to make smarter money moves, I’m here to walk that path with you. It’s not about where you start, but where you’re headed, and I’m excited to take that journey together.

What’s Next?

There’s so much more to come! In future posts, I’ll dive deeper into personal finance, affiliate marketing, digital marketing, and how I’m saving—sharing what works, what doesn’t, and how you can build your own path to financial independence. This is my journey, but I’m here to help guide you on yours too. I hope you’ll stick around for the ride!

P.S. Remember, If it’s not about finance, I can’t get jiggy with it!

NerdWallet 50/20/30 Budgeting Calculator: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/nerdwallet-budget-calculator