Hi Reader!

The older I get—I'm heading straight toward 50—I find myself thinking more about what truly matters to me and what I want to achieve in life. When I was younger, I was incredibly insecure. I still have my moments, but now I can appreciate what I’ve already accomplished and the challenges I’ve overcome. Back then, I constantly compared myself to others, which only deepened my insecurities.

Those feelings of inadequacy also led me to make financial decisions that I wouldn’t dream of making today. I was so focused on my appearance and the clothes I wore, thinking I’d feel better if I looked good.

But the truth is, I was never satisfied. Every time I bought a new piece of clothing, the feeling of dissatisfaction would return, and I’d start chasing the next item. My closet filled up quickly, and I’d throw things away just to make room for more.

It became a never-ending cycle that cost me a lot of money. I never calculated how much, but looking back, I realize that even if I had invested just 25 euros a month instead of buying clothes, I’d be in a better place financially today.

But I’ve made peace with that. I can’t turn back time, and that’s OK. My past self didn’t know any better. It wasn’t until I learned more about personal finance—creating a budget, saving, investing—that things started to change.

With the launch of my first blog, my priorities shifted dramatically.

• I became more relaxed, more content with myself, something I never thought possible.
• I started taking full responsibility for the life I wanted to create.
• I made real decisions about my money and my future.

In short, I started building the future I wanted by living it in the present. I decided who I wanted to be and how I wanted to show up in my life.

And guess what? None of it had anything to do with my appearance or whether I was wearing the trendiest pants. I realized that true happiness comes from within.

Even though my priorities have changed, I still reflect on what’s important. Our last trip to Thailand reminded me once again:

• My husband and our relationship
• Our health
• Financial freedom to live life on our terms, and to keep experiencing the beautiful moments we've had over the past 28 years.

Clothes and material things didn’t make the list. That doesn’t mean I don’t care about my appearance—but it’s not my priority anymore.

So, what does all of this have to do with you?

If I had known these lessons in my 20s or 30s, I would have started investing earlier and stopped chasing external happiness. But the good news is that it’s never too late. I can still shape my future, financially and personally, and so can you.

It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you’re at in life—you have the power to create your future. Maybe my mistakes will inspire you to start now.

But here’s the most important part: Take time to figure out what you really want.

• What are your priorities?
• What does the future you desire look like?

This reflection is more important than budgeting or saving. Why? Because if you don’t know what you’re working toward, the next steps will be difficult.

So now, it's up to you: Will it be the hottest pants, or a hot future?

xo,

Katja

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P.S. Ready to take charge of your finances? Don’t miss my latest post, "3 Easy Steps for Solving Financial Problems and Gaining Control." Plus, grab your copy of the Your First Dollar Financial Planner and start building a stronger financial future now!

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