Hey there, folks! DeTravius AKA “Boogie” AKA “Mister” AKA “Wavy Trave” AKA “Tre-Dawg”, AKA “D.B.”, and a bunch of other names-but you all got enough for now-and I’m ready to drop some jewels about one of life's greatest mysteries: money!

Let me tell you a little something I've learned along the way. It ain't about how much you make, but how much you keep and grow!

You see, once you've got enough moolah to cover life's bare essentials, chances are you're spending most of that dough to show off. Stop here and calculate how much you've spent and are spending on items to let people know you're richer than them—at least looking like it! No, for real, stop right here and come back!

OK, so what's the total? You got it? Are you good with it? I mean, life is about choices. You can either keep doing that or change it. Either way, it's your life; you should live it how you want!

Quick story. I created a financial independence plan when I was 20 years old. Unfortunately, I followed nearly 0% of the plan, so I'm where I am today.…not financially independent.

But…

If you are young, listen, research, and be disciplined, you don’t have to be like me in your 40s. If you are late to the game, we can still be alright, but we have a shorter period…we are in the late 3rd quarter, if not the 4th in this game called life!

So…

What follows are the key parts of the plan—things I should have done but didn't.

Please note, this is not financial advice, and if you're dumb enough to follow anything from anyone without doing your research, as the great philosopher Forest Gump once said, “Stupid is, as stupid does,” so don't come back trying to sue me because I'm telling you to do your research, and telling you I am not a financial advisor!

So, here's my quick and simple plan for financial success, folks. Are you ready? Brace yourselves!

Step one: Invest in dividend-paying stocks or ETFs. It's like having a money tree in your backyard but without all the leaves and twigs. Just sit back, relax, and watch that cash flow, bayba, baby!

Step two: Invest in yourself. Yes, you heard me right. Treat yourself like the precious gem you are. Take that salsa dancing class you've been eyeing or buy those fancy workout shoes that promise to make you look like a Greek god. Because hey, when you invest in yourself, the returns are priceless. Plus, you'll have killer dance moves to show off at parties!

Step three: Get yourself a side hustle. You know, that thing you do on the side to keep the cash flowing and the boredom at bay. Maybe you're a master baker or a secret knitting pro. Whatever it is, turn that talent into cold, hard cash. And who knows, you might end up with a side hustle so successful it becomes your main gig. Cha-ching!

Step four: Take a leap and invest in a business. Now, this one's not for the faint of heart. It's like diving headfirst into a pool of uncertainty, but with a lifeguard named Profit waiting to save you. Start that bakery you always dreamed of, or open that quirky antique shop you know the hipsters will flock to. The possibilities are endless, my friends. And let me tell you, nothing beats owning your own business, except maybe those websites with those searches you don’t want people to know about! Hint rhymes with “cornstub”

And finally, folks, repeat these steps year after year. Rinse, wash, and repeat! You'll be swimming in cash and laughing to the bank. I would be if I chose not to go and stunt on y'all!

Yep, I wanted to be the flashiest, most extravagant money-maker out there. I wanted to roll up to the family reunion in a gold-plated yacht and wear a suit made entirely of Chinchilla fur. But guess what? Life had other plans. So, here I am, sharing my financial wisdom with you so you don't make the same mistakes I did.

Such is life, my friends. It's a rollercoaster of regrets and lessons learned. At least we can laugh about it, right? So, remember, it ain't about how much you make, but how much you keep. And the more you keep, the more dough you'll make. Cheers to that!