Episode 87

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Published on:

27th Feb 2023

Build a 6-Figure Net Worth in Your 20s | E87 Mills Bender

When I started my first “big boy” job, I signed up for our 401K program. HR handed me this packet of papers and essentially said good luck.

I remember sitting at my kitchen table that night trying to make sense of fund names, historical yields, and asset allocation charts.

Nothing will make you realize school did not prepare you for the real world like that kind of moment. I remember thinking, wow I’m never going to understand this. When I have money, I need to hire someone to make these decisions for me.


But I didn’t need a pricey advisor or even fancy software. I needed financial education so I could feel comfortable and confident in my choices.


I thought it was going to take decades of experience or even having to go back to college to get a degree in finance but once I got serious, it only took me about a year of learning and practicing before I felt like I could handle the money choices that life threw at me.


Today’s guest would argue that with her guidance, you’d only need 90 days to master your money and after getting to know her, I believe it.


In her early 20s, Mills Bender was lost when it came to money. So lost that she woke up one day with $1.50 in her bank account. Mills started to demystify and understand the different facets of money. Now she helps others do the same through her financial coaching business, Mills Knows Bills.


In this conversation, we cover a lot of money concepts including the cost of delaying investing, the 4 money mindsets, and creating a budget that reflects your priorities. We also discuss how to turn your passion into a business - something Mills has a little experience with.


Key Takeaways:

  • The cost of delaying investing
  • How to set up your 401K at work
  • Hiring employees based on skill set and value alignment
  • How to turn your passion into a business
  • Land a mentor to accelerate your learning
  • The 4 money mindsets and how to identify which bucket you are in
  • Creating a budget that is a reflection of your priorities


Mentions:

I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi: https://www.amazon.com/Will-Teach-You-Rich-Second-dp-1523505745/dp/1523505745/ref=dp_ob_image_bk

Fearless Money Mindset by Arian Simone: https://www.amazon.com/Fearless-Money-Mindset-Broke-Doesnt/dp/173483000X


More of Mills:

Website: www.millsknowsmills.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/millsknowsbills/

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCK5C-sp5RaFeFg-LuczmMoA

Debt Payoff Webinar: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63ecee3e8e06d4dae9494316


More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

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About the Podcast

FI Minded: Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It
Achieve Financial Independence & Have Fun Doing It
Want to achieve Financial Independence (FI) without missing out on life?

FI Minded is the podcast for anyone seeking financial freedom, time freedom, and a work-optional lifestyle — all while enjoying the journey along the way.

Whether you’re at the beginning of your FI journey or already deep into Coast FI or Slow FI, this show gives you practical strategies and insights to reach early retirement and design a life that aligns with your values, purpose, and fulfillment.

Popular topics include:
- FI Optimization Strategies: Actionable advice to reach Financial Independence faster without unnecessary stress.
- Work Optional & Lifestyle Design: How to transition from the corporate grind and build a life of freedom, flexibility, and intentional living.
- Time Freedom & Coast FI: Making the most of your time while still planning for the future, including mini-retirements, travel, and other ways to enjoy your life now.
- Post-FI Identity & Purpose: What to do once you’ve achieved FI, and how to create meaning beyond money.
- Burnout & Balance: Avoid the pitfalls of over-optimization and learn to balance saving for the future with mental health and happiness.

If you want to reach financial independence, design a life that’s purposeful and fun, and avoid burnout along the way, FI Minded is your guide to building a sustainable, fulfilling, and free life.

Some of our past guests include Carl Jensen (1500 Days), Jeremy Schneider (Personal Finance Club), Nick Loper (Side Hustle Show), Andrew Giancola (The Personal Finance Podcast), Jordan Grumet (Earn & Invest), Rachael Camp (Work Optional), Jillian Johnsrud (Retire Often), Sean Mullaney (FI Tax Guy), Jill Sirianni (Frugal Friends), Jackie Cummings-Koski (Catching Up to FI), Joel Larsgaard (How to Money), Cody Garrett (Measure Twice), Jesse Cramer (Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors), Jess (The Fioneers), Chris Hutchins (All The Hacks), Diania Merriam (EconoMe), and many more inspiring voices in the FI space.
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