In a time when rising costs and financial uncertainty continue to weigh heavily on working families, financial expert Jade Warshaw is offering a simple but powerful roadmap to stability and freedom. Her method? Seven practical “baby steps” designed to help families escape the trap of debt, build savings, and create generational wealth.
“Financial literacy is freedom,” Warshaw explained in a new video. “Every family, especially in our community, deserves tools to break cycles of debt.”
Warshaw’s 7 Baby Steps to Financial Peace are a modern take on personal finance that prioritizes discipline, security, and long-term vision. Here’s the breakdown:
✅ Baby Step 1: Save $1,000 for a Starter Emergency Fund
Before doing anything else, Warshaw urges individuals to set aside a small emergency cushion—$1,000—to prevent derailment from unexpected expenses.
✅ Baby Step 2: Pay Off All Consumer Debt
This step is all about focus and speed. Warshaw recommends using every extra dollar to attack credit cards, car loans, and other non-mortgage debt with “intensity.”
✅ Baby Step 3: Save 3–6 Months of Expenses
Once debt-free, it’s time to build a true safety net. Warshaw calls this “a nice firm foundation” for financial stability in case of job loss or medical emergencies.
✅ Baby Step 4: Invest 15% of Your Income
Now that you’re debt-free and have savings, Warshaw advises putting 15% of your income into retirement accounts, ensuring long-term financial growth.
✅ Baby Step 5: Start Saving for Kids’ College
For families with children, this means contributing to a 529 plan or similar educational savings fund to reduce student debt in the next generation.
✅ Baby Step 6: Pay Extra on the Mortgage
Warshaw says this is about intentionality, not intensity. Add to your regular payments and chip away at your mortgage to own your home outright.
✅ Baby Step 7: Build Wealth and Give
Once all debts are paid and savings are in place, it’s time to invest beyond the initial 15%, build wealth, and give generously.
A Message Rooted in Community and Empowerment
Warshaw’s advice resonates deeply with communities that have historically been left out of wealth-building conversations. Her focus on financial empowerment, homeownership, and educational investment isn’t just about individual gain—it’s about breaking generational cycles.
“These baby steps aren’t just numbers—they’re a path to peace, ownership, and opportunity,” Warshaw says.
Whether you’re just getting started or rebuilding from a setback, her framework offers a clear, empowering way forward. And in a world where financial systems often feel overwhelming, that clarity is priceless.
