Wealth Building Secrets for Guilt-Free Spending with Felicia Wong

Welcome to today’s episode of the Real Money Podcast, a platform that aims to bring real, honest, and vulnerable conversations into the money space. I founded The Real Money Podcast in 2021 because I believed that there is more to money than just success and that there is a need to navigate the heart, purpose, and places where we find ourselves with money.

Felicia Wong’s Professional and Personal Journey

Felicia has had a unique journey in both her personal and professional life. She’s a certified public accountant (CPA) and a certified financial planner (CFP), and she loves to work with people and help them navigate their financial lives.

She started her career as an auditor, but quickly realized that it wasn’t her true calling. Felicia wasn’t happy just doing accounting work, and she knew she wanted to do something that would allow her to connect with people on a deeper level.

In March 2020, when the world shut down due to COVID-19, she took it as an opportunity to revamp her career and figure out what she really wanted to do. She started tutoring and reconnected with an old professor who gave her the idea to become a CFP. He reminded Felicia that she had already done so much accounting work, and becoming a CFP would allow her to use that knowledge to help people in a more meaningful way. In 2021, Felicia passed the CFP exam. It was a quick turnaround, but she was determined to make it happen.

Now, as a CPA and CFP, she is able to work with clients on a more personal level and help them navigate the complexities of their financial lives. She’s passionate about her work and loves to challenge herself to be her best every day.

But Felicia’s journey isn’t just about her professional life. As she approaches her 30th birthday, she’s realized that so much has changed in the last 10 years. She’s grown and learned so much, and she’s excited for what the future holds.

The Pursuit of Being 100%

I recently got a tattoo that represents my pursuit of being my 100% in everything I do. The tattoo is located on my wrist and features the number 100 that can also be seen as a bird. The tattoo is a constant reminder that perfection doesn’t exist, but striving to be my best self is what matters most.

I got the tattoo after taking one of the hardest tests I’ve ever taken in my life. Even though the goal was to get a perfect score, I didn’t achieve it, but I gave it my all, and that’s what matters. The tattoo is a symbol of my freedom to be myself and to pursue my goals without the pressure of being perfect.

The tattoo also represents the real conversations that I strive to have in the finance industry. The industry often portrays a false sense of perfection, but in reality, even financial professionals have their struggles and challenges. I believe that having honest and vulnerable conversations about money is crucial to help people navigate their financial journeys.

Perfection and Authenticity in Finance Industry

As financial professionals, Felicia and I understand the importance of striving for perfection in our work. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that perfection is unattainable. Instead, we should aim for our personal best, which is our 100%.

Authenticity is also a vital aspect of the finance industry. It’s easy to get caught up in the superficial aspects of success, but true success comes from being genuine and transparent. As someone who values authenticity, I believe in having real conversations about money, including the challenges and struggles that come with it.

Financial professionals are not exempt from these challenges and struggles. Despite what social media may portray, we are not perfect. We face the same financial hardships as our clients, and it’s essential to acknowledge and address them.