Speaker reflects on personal financial journey (Part 4)

Of what the ownership lesson would look like once a Reverend Murray would inspire her and give her protection. You know, the church was the only place where the black family could meet, congregate, talk, have freedom, you know, sing, read. It was illegal for blacks to read. Churches were the only place where it was a reprieve from all that. And churches gave people like my mother a safe place to have personal agency. So my mother, Juanita Smith, was not a Wall street banker. She worked for about 15 to $18 an hour at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft, later Boeing Aircraft. Yet over her lifetime, she built a net worth of about $1 million. She had a credit score of 854. Doesn't even go that high anymore. I want you to think about that for a moment. That she did this seemingly impossible thing of becoming a millionaire up from nothing, with limited income, managing affordability, but building wealth by understanding. You build wealth in your sleep. Ownership. She understood a principle of many high income people. Miss. It is not what you make, is what you keep that matters and what you do with it and what you own. Right? So her example is not proof that every family can become a millionaire on low wages. You know, we're not naive. Costs of living, timing, health care, health opportunity and access to assets all matter. As Michael Milken once said, that intelligence is equally distributed. But you know, opportunity may not be right. So let's level the playing field on opportunity. But it is proof that ownership and discipline can change a family's financial trajectory. The wait was worth it. Positive affirmations and all the hard work. The keys to your dream home from the vision board has been secured. I see you. A whole new future awaits your planning. From top notch decor but on a budget to the late night backyard summer cookouts, life feels good. Now comes time to fill it with memories. What will you host first? Maybe a movie night, Game night. Stories that make us laugh and space tournaments that make us cry. First you need to get movers and furniture. And what about the party favors? Will there be a theme? Of course it's theme because you're always doing the most. Oh yeah, the food to cook.