Do you know that thing that you are totally obsessed with that you just can’t seem to stop talking about? Maybe it’s a sports team, that TV show you can’t stop from binging, or some other fun hobby that you really love.

For this particular group of “end-influencers”, it’s the personal finance topic they can’t get enough of, and we don’t complain about it. After all, it’s their passion for the subject that inspires others to embark on their own financial journey, and it’s something we will always support.

While it’s clear that they are passionate about the topic as a whole, we wanted to know which lesson they were the most passionate to share. So, we asked, and this is what they had to say:

1. Pay yourself first

It’s a lesson Corey Paul, co-founder of the Literacy Kings podcast is deeply passionate about, because it’s a lesson he wished someone had told him earlier.

This basically means that every time you make money you have to automate some of it to go specifically in the direction of invest and economy. In doing this, Paul is saying it is a step towards investing in the most important thing: yourself.

“I believe doing this really sets the tone for financial success,” says Paul.

Paul and host JaMorcus Trayham grew up in a Houston area where the dropout rate was 30% and financial literacy was far from the top. focus in their program.

However, as adults they realized how late they were, so they started Literacy Kings as a way to encourage financial literacy in communities similar to the one in which they grew up. Together, the hosts break down popular finance books with the goal of making the content more digestible and more accessible to their audiences.

“The people I talk to, we don’t come in excess; we come from lack. So if you wait until you have too much to invest, you probably never will, ”said Paul of why he’s so passionate about sharing this financial lesson.

2. Stay involved in your finances

Track your expenses It can be a headache, we understand, but think of it this way: there will never be anyone who will stand up for your finances more than you. That’s a word from sage Dasha Kennedy, a financial activist and educator known online as @TheBrokeBlackGirl.

Kennedy came to this realization when he was only missing $ 20 on an electric bill.

“When I went to check my bank statements, I had spent $ 20, probably 20 times for nothing … but I didn’t keep track of it, so when I needed $ 20, I didn’t. ‘hadn’t,’ says Kennedy.

Kennedy said the hardest part of the situation was coming to terms with the fact that the only thing between her and her lights out was $ 20- $ 20 which was probably spent on expenses she could have avoided. such as ATM, vending or food charges and stressed the importance of staying involved with your finances.

Since then, Kennedy has been a strong advocate of know where your money is going. To hold herself accountable, she has a weekly appointment with herself where she reviews all of her expenses for the week. Doing this not only made her feel more comfortable with her money, but it also helped her feel more comfortable talking about it with others.

3. Separate your personal worth from your net worth

Let’s face it: it’s hard not to compare yourself to others, it’s just part of human nature. But like Judith Jones, a financial lawyer known online as @BudgetBrokeGirl, reminds us: You are not your debt, and debt and / or wealth does not determine your value.

“It took me a long time to separate my net value of my self-esteem, ”Jones says. “Focusing on it, I was missing the point of choosing to take this trip.”

Jones says it’s important to remember your “why”. What motivates you beyond money? Why do you want to become financially independent?

Once you find your “why”, focus on that and try not to get caught up in comparing yourself and competing with others.

4. Make sure your mindset is aligned with your goals.

When it comes to reaching your financial goals, it often starts with putting you in the right frame of mind as it affects the way you navigate your day-to-day life.

That being said, your state of mind can also play a role in how you navigate and manage your finances. that’s why Kenya Imani, a financial coach, is so passionate about teaching the abundance mindset in her coaching.

“His [the abundance mindset that’s] really what keeps you motivated while you’re on your personal financial journey and then when you’re trying to build wealth or whatever your next step is, ”says Imani.

At its core, the abundance mindset is the concept of a person who believes that there are enough resources and success to share with others. When it comes to personal finance, having this mindset makes you feel abundant, creative, and inspired with your money, making you feel secure and confident with your finances.

So, as Imani says: rather than saying, “Okay, I did. On to other things, ”when you reach a financial goal, you will instead think about the next steps you can take to further improve your situation or have a better understanding of the things that could set you back.

“Just because you’ve paid off your debt doesn’t mean you’re never going to go into debt again,” says Imani. “So I think the mindset article helps you understand why you got into debt and how can I stay out of it.”

5. Start investing early

When it comes to building wealth, one of the most effective ways to do this is to invest. Getting started can be scary, but the earlier you start, the more time you have to build your wealth.

“Even if it’s $ 20 a month… put your money aside early,” says a financial educator known online as @ForBetterOrWorth. “Time is the great equalizer when it comes to building wealth. The sooner you put money aside, the less you worry and the less you have to do down the line.

A good place to start is to invest in total market index funds, like the S&P 500 index fund. These funds are an excellent base for your investment portfolio because they allow you to have a strong, diversified and low cost investment collection. Historically, index funds delivered a solid return of around 10 percent per year. So while the idea of ​​picking stocks might sound exciting, it can be a risky decision for first-time investors – keep it simple and keep it consistent to begin with.

6. Give yourself a raise and pay off your debt

If you have ever had debt or are currently in debt then you know how much of a burden it can be. This is why having a debt repayment plan is so important.

The path Leo Jean-Louis, a millennial debt freedom coach sees it, paying off your debt is like giving yourself a raise. Who doesn’t want that?

Not only does it relieve stress, but it’s also a vital step to take if you want to. grow your wealth.

“Every dollar that goes to pay the interest on your debt is a dollar that you cannot use to create wealth,” explains Jean-Louis.

Sure, paying off debt can be easier said than done, but taking the time to develop a dedicated plan gets you one step closer to become debt free. One approach Jean-Louis recommends is to look for ways to increase your cash flow so that you can use your money and make it work for you, not against you.

7. Live below your means

If you were to ask a successful person how they got rich (and stayed rich), they would probably tell you that the key to success is live below your means.

Essentially, spend less than what you earn and invest the difference. This is something that Jeremy Schneider, self-made millionaire and founder of Personal finance club, is always stressful for his audience to budding millionaires.

Marc from BetterWallet is also a strong supporter of this lesson.

“On average, many financial goals are easily achievable without making another dime,” says Marc. “What is important is that you control your spending by limiting unnecessary purchases that do not add value.”

Learn to manage the money you have now is essential because when you end up doing more you will know how to implement it, says Marc. Ultimately, if you want to be rich, you have to fight lifestyle inflation.

8. Understand how credit works

Credit card can be both very rewarding and very dangerous. The difference is how they work and how you can use them responsibly.

“Once a person understands how to take advantage of credit properly, there are many ways they can set it up in the future,” says Herman Dolce, financial educator and CEO of Bella Sloan Enterprises.

Your credit rating is a determining factor in many pivotal moments in life, such as applying for an apartment, buying your first home, getting a loan and more. A bad score can prevent you from taking advantage of some of these opportunities and can even prevent you from saving money in some cases due to bad credit history. Credit card debt is another factor that could have a negative effect on your financial life.

Nonetheless, there are steps you can take to iimprove your credit, the first being to understand how it works and what credit card offers try. Once you understand this, you can work on repairing your credit.

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