I Was Broke at 25—And Here’s Exactly What I Did to Change My Life Forever

Every single day, I hear from people who feel like they’re drowning in bills, stuck in survival mode, and barely making it from paycheck to paycheck. And you know what? I get it—because I’ve lived it.

At 25, I was broke.

I wasn’t just low on cash—I was emotionally and mentally drained. I was checking my account balance in line at the grocery store, praying my debit card would swipe. I was working two jobs just to stay afloat, and even then, it never felt like enough.

But that was the old me. Today, I'm living proof that you can break the cycle, stop surviving, and start thriving. This journey isn’t about perfection. It’s about nine powerful money moves that helped me go from broke to financially free—and they can help you too.

Let me walk you through them. And if you want the full breakdown, passion and all, be sure to watch the full episode below 👇

🎥 Watch the Full Episode:

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1. Stop Accepting Broke as Your Identity

Being broke isn’t who you are—it’s a season. But until you change your mindset, nothing else will change. I had to stop settling for average and start declaring, “It is what I decide it will be.” Speak life into your situation. That’s when everything begins to shift.

2. Learn the Money Rules They Never Taught Us

No one taught us how to handle money. Not school. Not most churches. Maybe not even our parents. But now—it’s your responsibility to learn. My top 5 money rules are simple but life-changing:

• Spend less than you make
• Give every dollar a job
• Save before you spend
• Avoid consumer debt like the plague
• Stop faking wealth. Be real and build it

3. Enter Financial Survival Mode

Cut. The. Fluff. No more Netflix, DoorDash, or emotional spending. If it’s not essential—cut it. This is temporary sacrifice for permanent freedom. The goal? Get lean, stay focused, and stack up.

4. Stack Your First $1,000 Emergency Fund

Before you pay off debt, build your first $1,000 cushion. This isn’t just money—it’s peace of mind. Sell old clothes. Drive Uber. Babysit. Do whatever it takes to get that emergency fund set up, fast. I recommend using a high-yield savings account like SoFi, which will even give you $300 just for getting started: anthonyoneal.com/SoFi

5. Find Hidden Money in Your Budget

You don’t need to wait on a raise—you just need a plan. Call your service providers and negotiate your bills. Sell what you don’t need. Find a weekend side hustle. Even saving $100 a month can be a game changer over time.

Want help finding hidden money in your budget? Start my 21-Day Money Finder Challenge: anthonyoneal.com/21days

6. Use a Written Budget

If it’s not on paper, it’s just a wish. A written budget is permission to spend—not punishment. I use a zero-based budgeting system, and you can too. Grab my budgeting tool and wealth tracker: anthonyoneal.com/store

7. Keep It Real with Your Friends

Let your circle know you’re building. Real friends respect your journey. If they don’t? Let them go. Don’t let broke people’s opinions keep you broke too.

8. Celebrate Every Win

Paid off $50? Saved $100? That’s worth celebrating. Progress matters more than perfection. Even when your month gets messy, give yourself grace—and keep going.

9. Start NOW—Not Later

There will never be a perfect time to start. Birthdays, holidays, job stress—they’ll always be there. But your future won’t change unless your actions do. Don’t wait for motivation. Decide and move.

Final Thoughts: You're One Decision Away…

I went from broke in my twenties to never worrying about money again. If you follow even three of these moves, your life will start to change. But if you commit to all nine? You’ll be unrecognizable in 12 months.

Let me know in the comments: Which move are you starting with today?
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Then go watch the full show to get the fire 🔥 and fuel your breakthrough.

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