Today’s episode of Happy Black Woman features Trea Branch. Trea is a valued member of the Happy Black Woman Tribe and a financial expert on a mission to help women find freedom from financial struggles. She founded Trea’s Two Cents to offer private coaching and fulfill her life’s purpose of helping others create a life of freedom. Trea is the quintessential overachiever, which is evident as she shares her story. When she decided to tackle her own financial goals, she went after it on all cylinders. And that’s how she found her purpose. Rosetta’s chat with Trea is full of tips and strategies you can employ to begin your own journey to financial freedom. Paying off a 6-figure debt in just 3 years. Sharing Trea’s story makes it clear that she truly is an overachiever. Her journey began, as it does for so many of us, with a mountain of debt. Trea realized it was time to tackle that debt and gain the freedom she desired. And so, in true overachiever style, she created a realistic plan that would allow her to pay off her 6-figure debt in just 3 years. It was this process that led to the creation of her coaching program, which serves women just like her today. After successfully tackling her debt, Trea went full steam towards her purpose: helping others. She shares specific action steps that make things that seem impossible sound, well, possible. They key? According to Trea, it all comes down to planning. A step-by-step process to kicking debt. As Trea shares the action steps that can get you out of debt, it all sounds realistic. She breaks it down into simple, yet emotional, steps anyone can tackle if they’re ready to get out of debt. Her main tips? Start with a realistic picture of your debt, and then take the emotion out of spending. Trea explains that we are a society that sees spending as a “need”, when it’s actually about buying the things that are important to us. When you remove the emotion from the equation, it makes it possible to set realistic expectations and create a plan that will effectively lead you to financial freedom. Why it’s possible for ANYONE to get out of debt. Trea delves into her belief that, with the right planning and accountability, anyone can tackle debt. Starting with a clear picture of what you owe and then looking at your spending habits will make it obvious where you can cut spending. It’s not always easy, Trea says, but the freedom you gain makes it all worth it. She shares some areas that were difficult for her to cut back on when she faced her own spending habits, and how she overcame these obstacles. Trea shares her “cash spending” paycheck plan and how it helps her track her spending down to the penny. Controlling your spending, according to Trea, is all about being honest with yourself about where your money goes and creating a plan to control it. Making real change in people’s lives. As a busy entrepreneur with a demanding 9-5 job, Trea manages to maintain focus on the things that make her a Happy Black Woman. She shares the importance of having support, which in her case comes from her husband Tyrone. Trea also how rewarding it is to be able to help people make real change in their lives and see the weight that comes with financial pressure being lifted from their shoulders. As Rosetta & Trea’s chat comes to an end, Trea shares one last tip for women who are at the start of their journey. If you’re ready to rid yourself of debt and create true freedom in your life, you don’t want to miss this episode of Happy Black Woman. Outline of this great episode [0:32] Rosetta’s introduction of her guest, Trea Branch. [1:45] Trea’s mission and the work that she does. [4:25] The journey of paying $180k in debt in 3 years and why she shares that journey. [8:24] The process of how Trea helps her clients. [11:48] Some specific actions steps you can take if you’re ready to get started. [14:22] What do you say to clients who explain why they “can’t” follow the program? [17:50] A typical day in Trea’s life an