Episode Summary:
In this week’s episode, we talk with the Wealth Twins, also known as Nadia and Nicole. Nadia and Nicole both went to Columbia University and spent decades working in investment banking and financial services. They retired early in their 30s and are now entrepreneurs, investors, and passionate about teaching others how to reach financial independence. We discuss the advantages of growing up poor, what gifts their mother taught them, how they learned to save money, how they learned to avoid materialism, and what they learned from college and Corporate America. We also dig into how they became loyal to the check and not the company and why they started the Wealth Twins.
Episode Notes:
We discuss a range of topics, and Nicole and Nadia share their story:
- They grew up in South jamaica queens in a housing development, living paycheck to paycheck.
- They never had any guidance on money, but their mother always made it work.
- The only time money came up in a discussion was when money was an issue, like when they were maybe facing eviction.
- The only time money came up was when money became an issue.
- They learned very early on, whatever money they did have come to them, they saved.
- Do well in school, change your environment, and get a better job to change your circumstances.
- Their mother wouldn’t let them work when they were younger because she wanted them to focus on school. The way for them to help out was to do well in school.
- “We didn’t want for nothing.” To them it means they didn’t care about material things, and they had everything they needed.
- NY was very fashion-focused when they were growing up, and they didn’t have the money to buy air jordans or acid-washed jeans. It helped them growing up as they didn’t care about material things.
- An inadvertent gift their mother gave them was dropping the material things and only caring about the things they really needed. They don’t spend money on things they believe are materialistic.
- Her mother made them tough cookies from the beginning. They wore business casual clothes in school and started following their own path at a young age.
- They decided to go to Columbia University because Columbia offered them the most money.
- Tip: Get a job at the financial aid office at your high school, so you’re the first in line to know what scholarships and financial aid are available, and apply first!
- First-generation college and the process of learning how to succeed in college, because depending on where you went to high school, no one preps you for this
- Mom passed away suddenly in their senior year of college
- When they got out of school and started interviewing, it hurt them that they didn’t do enough internships, but they were both able to get interviews at Goldman and got the jobs!
- One of the things that have followed them is that they always knew a little information but not as much as others around them, and no one specifically taught them how to do things.
- “So many things that we take for granted can be such a leg up for other people.”
- Growing up in poverty and then navigating new environments.
- What inspired them to leave it all behind and start the Wealth Twins. Their mother passing away early and their experiences being in NYC on September 11th were part of it.
- They didn’t want a job to dictate what was happening in their lives.
- Co-workers that gave them advice to always save 10% of every dollar they make.
- The ATM receipt story that helped inspire their savings increase.
- How they became loyal to the check not the company.
- Nicole’s defining moment when she decided to walk away from Goldman. They got new jobs that gave them respect plus responsibility.
- The advantages of growing up poor. As long as you’re resourceful, you’ll always be able to make something happen.
- What they learned from Corporate America – worth ethic, becoming organized, solve problems, access to people at the same job but living very different lives, working with others focused on their finances, and the concept of being a dedicated learner.
- Don’t let anyone break your confidence and make you think you have to stay in some job – don’t let their belief impact your belief in yourself.
- You’ll be taken for granted very easily if you let it happen.
- What inspired them to leave their corporate jobs and start the Wealth Twins
- They always thought access to information was a big thing that could change lives.
- Wealth Twins want to teach people they can be financially free or independent, and it’s not about how much money you make but about how much money you keep.
- They want to start a revolution. They want to help the people that were like them. It’s not that people aren’t working hard; it might be that they don’t know where to turn to get information.
- The FIRE journey isn’t something you need to do alone. Share information with others, hold your friends accountable and save your money to give yourself choices. Don’t get caught up in the “RE” part of far, but focus on financial freedom.