Expert Advice from Jasmine Renae Ray, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, CFP Board Ambassador and the founder of Bamboo Financial Partners
Question
Dear Hope+Wellth, how can I stay consistent with budgeting when my income as a freelancer fluctuates every month?
Answer
Over the years, we’ve seen technology shift from a luxury to a necessity, fitness evolve from deprivation to holistic wellness and even mental health move from taboo to mainstream conversation—yet the world of finances and wealth, especially for entrepreneurs, remains elusive, unclear and often feels out of reach. We often hear stories about the entrepreneurial journey, but they tend to skip over the parts we need most—the foundation, the building, the growing.
The Bamboo Blueprint: Hidden Strength in Foundation
Take the bamboo plant, for example. Did you know it’s stronger than steel, can grow up to three feet in a single day, and is even used to build skyscrapers in some parts of the world? What sets the bamboo apart isn’t just how quickly it grows, but how strong it becomes. The key? For the first three to five years, it grows underground—establishing a deep, resilient root system. That hidden foundation is what allows the bamboo not only to grow rapidly, but to sustain that growth over time.
