Why 2026 Is the Year You Stop Playing Small!
Welcome to Season 8 of Yo Quiero Dinero.In this solo episode, I'm reflecting on the lessons that defined 2025, my first year as a mom, nearly five years as a full-time entrepreneur, and over a decade of intentional financial decisions that made this season of life possible. From redefining success and asking for help, to choosing the right partner, building wealth, and walking away from traditional timelines, this episode is a reminder that financial freedom doesn’t happen by accident it’s built, one intentional decision at a time. I'm breaking down down how money impacts every area of your life, from parenting and relationships to peace of mind and challenges you to stop talking yourself out of the life you say you want. If you’re stepping into 2026 ready to move with clarity, confidence, and purpose, this episode is for you.WHAT WE GET INTO00:01 – Kicking off Season 8 and welcoming listeners into 202600:36 – Why solo episodes are back and what to expect this year02:06 – Surviving the first year of motherhood and reflecting on 202503:30 – Stepping back from the mic and redefining productivity as a new mom04:55 – Why being intentional about who you have kids with matters06:28 – Planning for support, finances, and the realities of parenthood07:55 – Lessons learned from the Jefas y Mamás series08:45 – Why asking for help is essential and burnout isn’t a flex10:10 – Breaking generational cycles of exhaustion and overwork11:18 – How money directly impacts your quality of life13:10 – Why financial stress affects every role you play14:20 – Gratitude for past financial decisions that created present peace15:40 – The danger of settling for “stability” instead of freedom16:55 – Building financial runway in your 20s for long-term flexibility18:10 – Turning 40 and entering a more aligned season of life19:25 – Letting go of traditional timelines and societal expectations20:56 – Questioning the life you built and exploring alternatives22:10 – Discovering financial independence as a path to freedom23:19 – Facing debt without accepting “work forever” as the answer24:45 – Debt payoff strategies that changed everything25:45 – Learning how investing actually works27:00 – Quitting corporate America and becoming a full-time entrepreneur27:41 – Why financial freedom is built intentionally29:00 – Making the decision to want more — and act on it29:45 – Introducing the New Year Dinero Reset Guide30:04 – Season 8 kickoff gratitude and final reflectionsRESOURCES MENTIONEDFree Download: New Year Dinero Reset GuideA 10-step checklist to reset your finances for the new year — covering debt, budgeting, investing, insurance, and estate planning.👉 http://courses.yoquierodineropodcast.com/resetHave a question? leave me a voicemail https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/449160/2/u79sz3qexqzyh0Book: Financially Lit by Jannese TorresThe step-by-step blueprint for paying off debt, investing intentionally, and using money to buy your freedom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
[REPLAY] The First-Gen Guide to Money, Mindset, and Abundance with Diana Garcia
In this week’s episode,Jannese sits down with Diana Garcia, founder of Amigas y Dinero, to explore her personal journey from nonprofit work to becoming a full-time money coach helping Latinas rewrite their financial stories.Diana shares how a pivotal decision during the pandemic, choosing not to return to a two-hour commute led her to create her own income, community, and career. She opens up about growing up in an immigrant household in LA, the scarcity mindset she witnessed, and her mission to help others build wealth from a place of joy, not sacrifice.From saving $10,000 in under a year on a modest income, to helping clients break free from paycheck-to-paycheck cycles, Diana offers actionable insights for tackling debt, increasing income, and navigating the unique financial challenges first-gen families face. She also gets real about overcoming fear, advocating for yourself in the workplace, and having money conversations with your parents.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Diana turned a pandemic pivot into a thriving coaching businessPractical strategies to save more—without extreme sacrificeWhy growing your income can be more effective than cutting expensesSide hustle ideas based on your skills and passionsHow to address limiting beliefs that hold you back financiallyNavigating family expectations as the “first-gen retirement plan”Why community, mentorship, and environment matter for financial growthMore from YQD™:Full show notes: Visit our blog.Watch the full interview on YouTube — don’t forget to subscribe!Grab my book Financially Lit! in English or Español.Ready to level up? Learn more about our signature programs.This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/dinero Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
[REPLAY] How I Paid Off $47K in 20 Months with Eduek Brooks
This week on Yo Quiero Dinero, Jannese is joined by the brilliant and unfiltered Eduek Brooks, a Canadian financial educator and founder of Two Sides of a Dime. Sis does not play when it comes to money — and in this episode, she gets real about how she paid off $47,000 of debt in just 20 months, turned her financial rock bottom into a thriving business, and created the Surplus Method — a roadmap that’s helping women all over reclaim their money power.If you’ve ever felt like traditional personal finance advice wasn’t built with you in mind, this episode is your antidote. Eduek throws out the cookie-cutter advice and breaks down why building wealth as a woman of color requires a whole new approach — one rooted in mindset, community, and actual surplus (aka: MONEY LEFT OVER after your bills are paid!). What We Cover:The exact moment Eduek decided she was DONE being brokeWhy she still invested while paying off debt (and how it paid off big)Her no-fluff guide to building a plan you can actually stick toCelebrating small wins & avoiding burnout on your debt-free journeyThe truth about high earners still living paycheck to paycheckA breakdown of the Surplus Method (S.U.R.P.L.U.S.) and how to use itHow Eduek knew it was time to quit her 9-5 and go full-time in her bizCanadian investment accounts 101 (hello, tax-free savings!)Why mini-retirements are part of her wealth strategyQuote:“Your income builds wealth, but your surplus is what gets you to your goals.”👑 Meet Our Guest:Eduek Brooks is a financial educator and the powerhouse behind Two Sides of a Dime. Through her membership community, Surplus Stack Society, she helps women ditch debt, build savings, and invest confidently — without sacrificing the joy of living. She’s not here to make you feel guilty about Starbucks. She’s here to help you stack, save, and spend with intention.📲 Follow Eduek:Instagram: @twosidesofadimeJoin the Surplus Stack Society: surplusstacksociety.comMore from YQD™:Full show notes: Visit our blog.Watch the full interview on YouTube — don’t forget to subscribe!Grab my book Financially Lit! in English or Español.Ready to level up? Learn more about our signature programs.This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp — Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/dinero Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
[REPLAY] How to Rewrite Your Money Story and Build Real Wealth with Rose Han
What happens when you do everything “right”—go to college, land the six-figure job, make your family proud—and still end up buried in debt, burned out, and feeling trapped? In this episode, Jannese sits down with Rose Han, a first-gen wealth builder, YouTuber, and now author of Add A Zero. Rose opens up about her journey from over $100K in student loan debt to becoming a self-made millionaire, and the mindset shifts, financial strategies, and rebellious choices that made it possible.We talk about:The real impact of student loan debt on millennials & Gen Z’s version of the American DreamWhy “employee income” is the least free kind of income (and what to focus on instead)Rose’s Add A Zero framework for going from negative net worth to your first million—step by stepHow money identity, family conditioning, and cultural expectations shape our financial choicesWhy sometimes you have to ignore your parents’ advice and carve your own pathThe freedom and fulfillment that come when you stop playing small and start building wealth on your own termsIf you’ve ever felt stuck in debt, confused about money, or pressured to follow someone else’s script for success, this conversation is your permission slip to rewrite your financial story.📘 Grab your copy of Add A Zero at addazero.com and get access to Rose’s bonus content.📺 Follow Rose on YouTube and socials: @itsrosehan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is Airbnb Still Worth It in 2025? Honest Breakdown with Victor Zeledón
This week, Jannese is joined by Victor Zeledón (@ourjourneywithless) a husband, dad, and Airbnb mentor who proves you don’t need six figures, a trust fund, or a fancy investing background to build wealth through real estate.Victor started with what most of us already have: a home, two extra rooms, and a need to build an emergency fund. Fast forward seven years and those two rooms turned into five cash-flowing rentals, a fully retired wife, homes in multiple states, and a roadmap to financial freedom.This convo is packed with gems, game-changing strategies, and the kind of transparency that our comunidad NEEDS to hear — because real estate is not “just for other people.” It’s for us, too.What We Get Into04:30 — Who’s actually renting rooms on Airbnb? (It’s not who you think!)05:50 — How they scaled from 1 room to 5 properties.06:40 — The real talk on hosting strangers: Safety, locks, boundaries, and vibes.08:15 — Airbnb vs. traditional renting: Why Airbnb was the wealth-building accelerator.09:20 — The Airbnb landscape in 2025: Regulations, fees, and why boring listings get no love.13:00 — Wild host lessons: What every new host should prepare for (yes, including tias who leave surprises).14:30 — Emergency funds + financial safety nets: How to protect your pockets.16:20 — Is Airbnb still worth it today? Victor breaks it down.17:30 — Why they bought in Waco & Tulsa: Out-of-state investing made simple.19:10 — How they bought a house in Tulsa with $0 out-of-pocket.20:40 — How to manage rentals remotely without losing your mind.24:00 — The family vision: From paying off debt → replacing his wife’s income → full financial freedom.26:00 — How Victor mentors new Airbnb hosts for FREE through the Airbnb Ambassador Program.Top TakeawaysStart where you are. A spare room can be your entry point into real estate — not a barrier.Airbnb hosting is work, but the income potential is REAL. Many hosts earn 2–3x a traditional rental.2025 is still a viable year to invest, especially if you explore mid-term rentals and lower-cost markets.About Our GuestFollow Victor: @ourjourneywithless He offers free Airbnb mentorship in English & Spanish through the Airbnb Ambassador Program.Links MentionedFree Financial Guide: courses.yoquierodineropodcast.comOrder Financially Lit!: FinanciallyLitBook.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.