A mom with a toddler who is about to become a millionaire is on track for becoming a millionaire when she turns 16.
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An attorney burned out who launched a successful online business to erase $150,000 student debt.
An American-Chinese money expert, who forgot what her parents had taught her in order to succeed in America.
We were struck by stories this year of people who took control of their finances and learned about money in a volatile economic environment.
“I dedicate my life to helping people, particularly people of color, to get access information because it could be the thing that changes financial situation for generations,” Dominique Broadway (CEO of Finances De*mys*ti*fied) told us earlier this season. Broadway is the strategist behind Broadway’s daughter’s investment portfolio. It is expected to make Broadway a millionaire by the age of 16.
Delyanne Barros shared her experience with us earlier this year. “Everytime I meet a new client the first thing they say to me is, ‘It’s just so nice hear someone talk money that looks and feels like me. Barros has recently left her job as a lawyer and is now focusing on her investment education business where she helps beginners achieve financial independence.
Top NextAdvisor Stories for the Year
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency enjoyed a huge year in 2021. It captured investors’ attention and prompted them to think about whether they should include speculative digital assets in their portfolio. Both Ethereum and Bitcoin, the biggest cryptos, set new records and will be as valuable as ever in 2019.
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How can you wisely invest in Bitcoin? A 15% drop in its value is nothing but a normal afternoon. Is it possible that new crypto regulations by the government will end all of this tomorrow? What is blockchain, exactly? These are questions that many ordinary investors, who are reasonable and common, are asking. We’ve tried our best to connect investors with advice from money experts who can tell the truth.
Financial Independence: Investing
Experts have reminded us time and again that cryptocurrency, meme stocks, and retail trading are not the best investment strategies. It’s simpler than that: invest early, often, and build a portfolio over the long-term, ideally using low-cost index funds. We have all the information you need, from suggestions for the best online brokerages to advice by a multimillionaire on the simple investing strategy that he wished he had known when he started out.
Investing is a great way to create wealth for your family and achieve financial independence. You don’t have to be an expert or have thousands of dollars in order to start investing. We’ve collected stories and advice from investors of all backgrounds, including a mother who wants to set her daughter up for financial success and a money coach who has gone from being in debt to being able to retire early.
Homebuying, Refinancing and the Housing Market
This year’s challenges and opportunities for homebuyers and homeowners are heightened by historically low mortgage rates and a hot housing market. With rising home prices and stiff competition, first-time homebuyers had difficulty finding a house. However, existing homeowners were able take advantage of low rates to refinance their home or tap into their home equity through a cash-out refinance.
Although the housing market this year was extremely challenging, being prepared and knowledgeable can help make homebuying easier and less stressful. We have shared stories from first-time homebuyers, who were able purchase their dream home despite losing four months of bidding wars. And a couple who decided homeownership was not the right decision for them. We discussed the systemic inequalities that lead to the large Black homeownership gap and the efforts of those who work to make the housing market more fair. To help you make the best homebuying decision in any market, we have sought the advice of mortgage experts and other homebuyers who have experienced the process firsthand.
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Credit Construction and Use
Millions of Americans use credit cards and loans every day as powerful financial tools. However, with all that power comes a lot of risk. This can lead to high-interest, expensive debt that can hold people back and make it difficult to achieve financial independence. There are many ways to speed up your credit growth, whether you’re just beginning to build your credit or looking to improve it.
The U.S. credit system is difficult to access for people of color, immigrants, and those living in low-income households. This problem was covered, as well as ways that people can address it. For those who have used credit cards, loans or other forms of credit in the past, it all comes down to the basics: Have a plan for making payments on time and in full. Also, have an emergency fund that you can draw on in case things get difficult. It can be difficult to get out of debt. However, we share the experience of those who have.
News
In 2021, the pandemic was once again the biggest news story. Its huge impact was evident in all major news stories this year, including unemployment, tax credit payments, and stimulus packages. With the Omicron variant promising to bring in 2022, we seem to be ending the year exactly where it began.
There are solutions to every problem Americans encountered this year. It’s important to not only explain what the news cycle is doing, but also what they can do to help.
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More People, Their Stories
There is no story worth telling and no advice worth sharing without people. NextAdvisor’s mission is to empower and inform people. This includes those who are least represented in positions of power or influence. We look for people with stories of empowerment whenever possible. These are just a few of the stories we were inspired by this year.