We had the good fortune of connecting with RaShida Roberts and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi RaShida, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?

My assistant at work told me recently, that she notices that I leave work on time this year. And I was proud to hear someone notice my that my work ethics had changed. I have aLways overworked, giving my job the best of me—my hours, attitude, and energy. Now that I’m more experienced and have learned some valuable lessons, I have a better work life balance and understand that people need to have boundaries. Rewards are given to those who set those boundaries. Think: Why should employers give the highest accolades to someone who is constantly overworking to get the job done and never spending quality time outside of work? That shows an unhealthy imbalance even though we may love and value the work we do. Does it mean we never stay late? No. But it does mean that we have to value ourselves enough to say no. Say it, mean it, and follow through. And be prepared to handle any consequences which follow. Saying no can be liberating and debilitating simultaneously. Sometimes we have to choose us, our family, our mental, physical, spiritual, and financially health, and our own stability. We also have to value that we are at our best when we take time out for ourselves and the ones we love. I’m replaceable at work. You are replaceable at work. That’s how jobs work. Do what you do to the best of your ability and keep going. But absolutely set boundaries, so you don’t look back and feel used up in the process. Imagine what you can get done for yourself outside of work if you gave as much to your own dreams and aspirations as you do to the job. Even if you’re an entrepreneur, you must set limits. It’s not enough to just make money, you have to enjoy life too. Missing all the accomplishments and milestones of your loved ones is not a way to live. Money buys stuff, and character builds moments and experiences that last a lifetime. No one will remember you if you’re never present, not your touch, your smile, or your laughter.  They will remember the emptiness and the absence that overworking and the drive to get money caused. No matter what you do and how much you need to work set boundaries and say no, so you can show up for the most important person in your life—you. We have to take care of ourselves, so we can be the best version of ourselves for the people that matter in our lives.


Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I’m a Financial Coach, educator, speaker, and upcoming author. For two years I’ve been learning and educating people about financial topics. Through individual coaching, group coaching, and financial workshops and summits I challenge the status quo’s the world tells us—living beyond our means, living paycheck to paycheck, and over-consuming every month . I also help singles and educators to increase their cash flow by helping them to build a better mindset about money, set goals, and be an accountability partner in their quest to ditch debt and live financially independent. What sets me apart is that I’m a great listener which helps me hear the problems and goals that my clients want and need. I’ve also been tagged as the most inspirational educator in 2017 by my parents and students. And I attribute that to being transparent, leading with a sense of servant leadership, and a “I’ve been there” spirit. My goal with my clients is to really dig deep and execute their goals through our time. I want everyone to be debt free, but that journey looks different for us all. But one thing I know is that I can relate to the stress that money problems cause as I got here from my own struggles with finances, but I’ve dug myself out of revolving debt twice. However, I’ve learned a few lessons over the years. 1. Financial problems are more about behaviors and mindset than they are about money. If it were a mathematical money problem, we’d all be swimming in the dough because we can all add and see when we are spending too much money. But why do we spend the money? What motivates us to over charge on our credit cards and buy items we cannot afford. Our mindsets and our behaviors keeps us from building wealth. 2. Making more money does not equate to having more money. People are still in debt who make hundreds of thousands of dollars. So don’t be impressed by glitter and gadgets—it’s how much people are keeping that matters most. 3. Most of us don’t need more money. We need more money management. Lump sums don’t build the character you need in order to manage your money problems. Focus on what you can do like eliminating some luxuries out of your life. 4. The world will teach you how to get into debt, family and friends will encourage your debt, and the creditors will profit from your debt until you have the courage to say no. Setting boundaries for ourselves and others is a necessary challenge when it comes to tackling your money problems. If you don’t set some limits, the people addicted to your ignorance and inability to set boundaries will continue to profit off of you. I have a boundaries workbook people can download at www.thecashflowconvo.com that will help people begin to think about setting those necessary limitations. 5. There is no good debt (that’s an oxymoron) or bad debt. It’s all debt. I’ve said that I’ve gotten out of debt twice, but in reality I still had student loan debt. I never once thought about my student loans as debt before I became a financial educator because I was always able to afford the bill and it’s how I became an educator. 6. We know how to get help for every aspect of our lives except for our money issues. There are still people out there who don’t use the banking system and they keep money under their mattresses. Our educational systems aren’t set up to teach us about financial coaches, estate planners, advisors, tax accountants and attorneys, registered investment agents, brokers, entrepreneurship, hedge funds, and more! Most of what we learn it’s through experience, our parents taught us and set us in the right path, or we are in the financial field—and even then many have left colleges without some basic financial literacy after getting a business and/or financial degree. We need to step up simply ask the right people to get help with our finances. It’s funny how we know how to find a service for all of our needs (hair, food, health, nails, clothes, utilities, etc.) except our money. Get ahead of the game and get some quality financial experts in your life. It’s a game changer. And 7. You have to believe in your own ability to build wealth and then execute your strategy. I overcame my challenges by setting boundaries. I made one of my years “the year of no” and stuck to it. I lost friends who were addicted to my inability to set boundaries and use my voice. I refused to travel. I ate out less and I made serious changes to make a shift in my mindset. I evaluated my downfalls like the lump sum of money I received to pay off all debts, yet I still ended up in more debt. I used the natural talents that I had to start a home bakery at www.ginscookies.com to start paying off debt.

Ive learned so many great lessons that I began telling others. Now I’ve launched myself as Target Financial and I educate people on how to increase their cash flow. I focus on ditching stress, setting boundaries, using the money you already have to ditch debt, and getting a strategy. I was led to write a book which will be out this summer: Find Your Spark: 7 Steps to Ditch Stress and Ignite your Financial Lifestyle!

Most people have debt in America, and only few people will do something about it. We focus a lot on a credit score in an effort to get things, but won’t take the necessary steps to build true wealth.

So I’m the unpopular financial chick. I’m going to tell you to sacrifice. I’m going to tell you to size it down. I’m going to tell you get rid of the unnecessary emotional spending. It’s time to make some real changes and stop subscribing to the world’s point of view. Keep life simple. Be frugal. You don’t have to have the next this or that to be happy in this life. Look around in the eyes of those you love. How much time do you have to spend with them doing things that bring you closer and enjoyable? What effect has your money had on others? What are you giving? That’s the real value of your money: the ability to make change near and far.

Economic power is the most dominant power in our country. Our personal economies need a makeover. It’s time to target our minds and ours money.


Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

This is hard because I love staying at home. I might cook or bake for them—am audience always makes me eager to whip up something. We might wing it on where to eat. It would all depend on what they wanted to do. Most of my friends are introverts, so it’s not where we go that matters. It just matters that we are in the same spot being able to enjoy each other’s company (with good food of course). My city of Houston is definitely a place to eat. So we might check out my favorite taco truck for sure on the north side of town. Some places to check out are: Midtown, Downtown, Rice Village, CityCentre, The Heights, or going a little out of the city in Kemah, Lake Conroe or Jackson and even Galveston. Everywhere you look there’s good food and I used to have a go-to person to tell me all the delicious spots to try. I’d definitely have to pay homage to some black owned businesses that are more inner city. Southern Q Barbecue, Lucille’s, Turkey Leg Hut, The Breakfast Klub, Lee’s Fried Chicken and Donuts, Esther’s Cajun Food & Cafe, Burns Barbecue, Spindle top, Local Foods, Eddie V’s, Taste Bar & Kitchen (spicy wings), Bar 5015, Cool Runnings, Prospect Park, Mai’s, Kulture, The Waffle Bus, Vic abs Anthony’s, Hearsay, Lupe Tortilla for the beef fajitas only!, Krab Kingz, Peli Peli, Biraporetti’s, and more are some places I have visited and enjoyed. I’ve tried a lot of restaurants in my time and there’s more to taste out there! You can see where my money has gone! In addition, we might head to the Museum District. I love history. Attending theatrical shows—plays, ballet, musicals, or movies are all within my repertoire. I love comedy shows, attending sports games (Texans—football, Astros—baseball, sometimes Houston Rockets—basketball, and seldomly hockey which we don’t have an official team anymore). Memorial park is a winner if you love the outdoors. I’m not an outdoors person, but do love a good sunrise and sunset. More recently, Houston has had a plethora of artwork displayed on the side of buildings. That’s a sight to see downtown and various areas around the city. Ultimately, it’s not where you go it’s who you go with. All the other stuff is for overpriced looks and brags. Just go where you would have a great time with family and friends and within reason. If you can’t afford it choose something you can. And just because you can afford it doesn’t mean you should. Be reasonable while you’re out having fun!


The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It’s hard to put anyone in the mix of how I started to turn my situation around because I seriously took the necessary steps myself to set boundaries and made a strategic plan to ditch my debt. However, along the way I have had key people to support me and lay some phenomenal information my way. I’d liketo shoutout my mom for being a devout reader, writer, and Believer. She taught me the value of education (which is why I’m such a diy person) and that’s helped me to learn a lot of what I know. I’m not afraid to pick up a book or read several articles or videos to get information. She also taught me how to give. It’s great to know that early on, because money can help people change the trajectory of their lives. Giving is not not just monetary however, and I’ve seen my mom give countless hours to help, encourage, and pray for others. So she gave me a great foundation. I’m also thankful for people like Henry A. Reid who introduced me to a lot of basic financial literature and how money works. Learning about W4s, tax deductions, the basics of insurance and more is life changing. You think you’re educated after two degrees, but you only know what you know. I was introduced to him during my financial journey along with others like Yvonne Brown with Affirm and Pursue who have been very encouraging and affirmative in helping me see my own value. It’s a mountainous and sometimes lonely road when you decide to solve money problems. But I show up to help people with their mindset and their money as best I can.

Website: www.thecashflowconvo.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/TargetFinancial

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/targetfinancial

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/TargetFinancial

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/TargetFinancial

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCvsVF5aN0q59i7oODa7RzKw

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