Like Morgan said, Madam CJ Walker wasn’t just the first self-made woman millionaire in the U.S.—she was a blueprint for what it means to build something from the ground up, to invest in your community, and to make rest and beauty a part of the business plan.
A part of self-care isprioritizing our future selves by pouring into her. Protecting her. Budgeting for her joy. Because she deserves rest. She deserves pleasure. She deserves options.
That brings me to this passage from Tiffany Aliche’s book, Get Good With Money. It’s a word. And it’s a reminder that how we treat our money ain’t just about numbers—it’s about how we treat ourselves:
Putting money away for a date in the future (maybe far in the future) is the long game and it’s sometimes not so easy to be disciplined for something so intangible. The way I make this easier for myself is by imagining the version of me that I’m saving for. I gave her a name so I can talk to her and about her. By giving my older self a persona, she becomes a person I remember to look after with the financial choices I make today. My older self’s name is Wanda. Wanda is sassy, a little nosy, and likes to sit on the front porch. She’s that lady who keeps tabs on the neighborhood gossip. Thanks to her comfortable retirement, she has the time on her hands to care that you’re not a natural brunette. “Chile,” she will say, “you fooled me!” I lean into Wanda when I’m making decisions now around saving for my future and my future self. I think, Is this good for Wanda? Because Tiffany can work longer hours, Tiffany can stay up late or wake up early. Tiffany can open another business.
But Wanda… Wanda is retired and she’d like to rest. There’s only so much she’s willing to do, even if she’s still physically and mentally totally sharp. I don’t want to put pressure on Wanda to look after her-self; I’m supposed to look after Wanda. I don’t think we are taught that enough; that it’s your younger self’s job to look after your older self.
In my twenties, when I was thinking about splurging on a trip and paying for it on my credit card because I didn’t have the cash to cover it (and no immediate ability to pay off the card right away), I could hear Wanda’s sarcasm: “Oh, how was Paris? Mm-hmm. That’s great. Because I’m sitting here eating top ramen every day, but okay. — Glad you enjoyed the Eiffel Tower on credit instead of setting aside for retirement.” She kept me in line!
Take a minute to imagine the person you’ll be, the person who will be affected by the choices you are making today.
Whew.
Madam C.J. Walker said, “I got my start by giving myself a start.”
And that’s really it.
You don’t have to wait on a miracle. Or a partner. Or some big, life-changing moment. I watched a show not long ago that said most millennials aren’t thinking about retirement at all. A lot of us are banking on this idea that one day we’ll come into a big sum of money that’ll fix everything. But that mindset is a setup.
Because even if the money does come, without discipline that’s already in motion, without preparation, it won’t stay. And if it doesn’t come, then what? We’re left unprepared and still struggling.
That’s why the best thing we can do is start now. Start small. Start with what you have.
By believing that your future self is worth the investment.
Because she is.