Real Financial Planning Session: From Negative $115K Net Worth to Financial Freedom

Real Financial Planning Session: From -$115K Net Worth to Financial Freedom | Complete Debt Payoff Roadmap

This is something I've never shared before: a complete, transparent financial planning session with one of my clients. No numbers hidden. No "hypothetical scenarios." Just real debt, real income, and a real roadmap to financial freedom.

Meet Nicolette. When she came to me, she was carrying $36,000 in credit card debt, tax debt with the IRS, a net worth of -$115,000, and variable self-employment income between $7K-$9K per month. She also has two daughters she wants to help through college and dreams of retirement, travel, and a tiny home.

Sound overwhelming? It was. But overwhelming doesn't mean impossible.

What You'll See in This Complete Planning Session:
✅ Phase 1: Foundation (First 30 Days) - Getting crystal clear on cash flow and building a mini emergency buffer
✅ Phase 2: Tax Systems (Weeks 1-3) - Why we're tackling the IRS before the credit cards and setting up quarterly payments
✅ Phase 3: Debt Payoff (2025-2028) - The exact strategy to pay off $36K in credit card debt in ~3 years while staying current on everything else
✅ Phase 4: Safety Net (2026-2028) - Building a real emergency fund WHILE paying off debt
✅ Phase 5: Investing (Starting 2026) - Yes, we start investing before the debt is gone. Here's why and exactly how much
✅ Phase 6: Debt Free Life (2028 and Beyond) - What happens when $1,500/month in debt payments gets redirected to wealth building

Why This Is Different:
Most financial advice is either too vague to actually implement ("just save more!"), too rigid to work for real life ("never invest until you're debt-free!"), or doesn't account for the emotional side of money.

This roadmap is different. It's practical, flexible, and built around Nicolette's actual life—not some textbook scenario.

If you're dealing with debt, variable income, or just feeling stuck financially, you're going to see yourself in parts of this conversation.

What Makes This Roadmap Work:
📊 It accounts for variable income - Real strategies for self-employed income that fluctuates
💰 It tackles taxes first - Why IRS debt gets priority and how to prevent it from happening again
🎯 It builds safety while paying off debt - No more choosing between security and progress
📈 It starts investing before being debt-free - Breaking the all-or-nothing approach that keeps people stuck
🧠 It addresses the emotional side - Because money management is 80% psychology, 20% math

The Real Numbers:
• Starting Net Worth: -$115,000
• Credit Card Debt: $36,000
• Monthly Income: $7,000-$9,000 (variable, self-employed)
• Debt Payoff Timeline: ~3 years
• Monthly Debt Payments: $1,500
• Target Emergency Fund: 3-6 months expenses

This is what a real financial turnaround looks like. Not overnight success. Not winning the lottery. Just a solid plan and consistent action.

Want Your Own Custom Financial Roadmap?
I'm currently accepting clients for one-on-one financial audits and personalized roadmap sessions. We'll look at your complete financial picture together, and I'll build you a custom plan from where you are now to where you want to be, with specific action steps, timelines, and ongoing support.

📅 Book your session: https://stan.store/positivemomentumpr...
📧 Have questions first? Email me at [email protected] with "ROADMAP" in the subject line

About Positive Money Project:
I'm Julie, and I help high earners build wealth without the restriction, shame, or confusion that usually comes with traditional money advice. My approach combines practical money strategies with the psychological and emotional side of financial decision-making.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly money strategies:    / @positivemoneyproject  
💌 Join my email community: https://www.positivemomentumproject.com

A Note from Nicolette:
Nicolette gave permission to share all of this because she knows how powerful it is when someone else's journey helps light the path for yours. Her story isn't unique—millions of people are dealing with similar financial situations. What's unique is having a clear, actionable plan to get out of it.
Drop a comment and let me know: What phase of this roadmap resonates most with your current financial situation?


DISCLAIMER: I am not a licensed financial advisor or tax professional. This content is for educational purposes only. This video shows one client's specific situation and the strategies we developed together. Your situation may be different. Always consult with qualified financial, tax, and legal professionals before making major financial decisions.