Personal Finance in Indian Country--A Philosophy

Ever since I started the podcast, I wanted to discuss personal finance. I’ve spent more time than I care to admit learning about personal finance. The main reason is that knowledge is power. And according to several studies, most Americans do not know enough about personal finance. This has big implications, from not saving enough for retirement, getting into too much debt, etc.   Why should we as NextGen Natives worry about personal finance? Because personal finance impacts your own personal sovereignty.   Personal finance can be an issue not easily discussed among people. That’s why the Internet is great! You can learn and explore without feeling uncomfortable. Once you gain a comfort level, I think people become more comfortable discussing the topics--if not their personal situations--with others.   I plan to do a series of podcasts covering different topics of personal finance. My goal is to start a conversation. Future episodes will focus on specific topics (debt, credit, home ownership, etc.). This episode of the podcast focuses solely on the philosophical aspects of money and wealth. This is perhaps the most important aspect to cover, because if you do not walk through this stuff first, working towards financial goals could become distorted or stunted if you have not come to terms with money/wealth.   ###   NOTE:I am not a financial advisor, or a lawyer, or a spiritual advisor nor do I play one on TV (or podcasts). This is not intended to guide your investment decisions. Speak to experts, or at least make decisions that are best for you. That is sovereignty.   ###   I also acknowledge that there are serious barriers to certain aspects of personal finance in Indian Country. A lack of banks in some communities is a big one. This podcast or future podcasts does not ignore or undervalue the impact of these structural barriers. Perhaps the knowledge and discussion can spark initiatives that address the barriers. And at a minimum, for those that may have different resources, it is better to share knowledge and information than to keep it under wraps.