EP86: From 6-Figure Debt to Securing Financial Freedom with Melissa Jean-Baptiste

Melissa Jean-Baptiste thought she was doing all the right things when it came to her finances, but after trying to secure a loan to buy her first home, she quickly realized the reality. She wasn’t doing anything, learning how money truly operated, or how to use it as a tool. Fast forward, and Melissa now helps other millennials build generational wealth through debt management strategies, passive income and investing, and a communal digital space to start their debt-free journey.   So do you want to know how Melissa paid off $102,000 in debt on a New York City teacher's salary? And how you can also plan for an early work optional retirement? Tune in and find out!   KEY POINTS: Why Melissa began her money journey How to pay off debt with other financial goals in mind Pivoting your budget throughout your journey Melissa’s ultimate money hack Is a side hustle always a good idea?   QUOTABLES: “Sit down with that money. Look at what you have. Look at where you want to go and push past the discomfort.” - Melissa Jean-Baptiste “You can use money to leverage a lot of different things that can lead to more money, lead to property assets and growing wealth.” - Melissa Jean-Baptiste   GUEST RESOURCES: Melissa Jean-Baptiste millennialindebt.com IG | instagram.com/millennialindebt  Get Your Copy of So...This Is Why I'm Broke - https://amzn.to/3OYCnIc   Have career and leadership development questions? Email Kimberly at podcast@manifestyourself.com Learn more about Kimberly Brown and download a free career strategy template at kimberlybonline.com  Read the book “Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning Into a Career You’ll Love” at nextmovebestmovebook.com   Follow Kimberly on social media: IG | @kimberlybonline - instagram.com/kimberlybonline FB | facebook.com/kimberlybonline  Twitter | twitter.com/kimberlybonline LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/kimberlybonline  Your Next Move is edited by Instapodcasts (visit at instapodcasts.com)

Om Podcasten

Welcome to Your Next Move Podcast with Kimberly Brown—the show where careers are transformed into legacies and ambitions into reality. Kimberly is a trusted career and leadership expert, sought-after speaker, bestselling author, and the Founder of Brown Leadership, an international learning and development firm committed to supporting the next generation of leaders. With her guidance, you’ll learn to navigate your career with clarity, purpose, and confidence. This isn’t about grinding harder or waiting for your turn—it’s about equipping yourself with the strategies to lead, the tools to advance, and the confidence to create opportunities that align with your vision of success. Each episode is packed with actionable advice, thought-provoking conversations, and empowering insights to help you make bold moves in your career. Whether you’re striving for your next promotion, tackling workplace challenges, or redefining what leadership means to you, this is the space to level up and thrive. Your next move is within reach—let’s make it happen.