Growing up with Asian parents, you might have a frugal money mind-set that makes you risk averse.

That’s what happened to Shang Saavedra, personal finance expert and author of "Wealth is a Mindset.”

Which is why her story is so powerful. In this episode, she talks about how her frugal upbringing, cultural conditioning and her parents’ aversion to risk-taking influenced how she looked at money.

But when she was in her 20s, she and her husband decided to go to extreme frugality in New York City to retire early by 31 — and then delves into all the lessons she’s learned since about the importance of grounding herself in the present, shifting your mindset toward abundance and looking at financial decisions from a place of calm rather than fear.

Shang shares some simple, practical tips for how to deal with some of the biggest financial stressors — unexpected expenses and how to make big purchases manageable.

I loved talking to her about how to shift the relationship between emotions and money patterns.

You don’t want to miss this healing conversation about money!

THE TOP LEARNINGS IN THIS EPISODE:

• How your cultural upbringing shapes financial habits and mindsets
• The importance and challenges of risk-taking for financial growth
• The reason generational trauma influences money worries and behaviors
• The decision and sacrifices behind early retirement
• Emotional health directly impacts financial decisions
• Building self-awareness and positive money talk is essential for wealth mindset

GUEST BIO:

Shang Saavedra is a published book author and the founder and CEO of Save My Cents, a nationally recognized personal finance expert. Shang finished saving for her retirement by the age of 31, and is America's leading expert on saving for retirement with joy.

Her insights have been published by Business Insider, CNBC, Forbes, Fox Business, USA Today, Time / NextAdvisor, Nasdaq, and more. Shang was educated at Harvard and University of Chicago, and has worked in strategy for various Fortune 500 companies. Her book, Wealth Is a Mindset, was published in January 2025 with Third State Books.

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag @nicoletsong and Shang Saavedra @savemycents so we can give you a shout-out and thank you for your support!

ASIAN VISIBILITY SYSTEM: Want to permanently reverse cultural conditioning and step into a life where you feel purposeful and thrive? Grab the Asian Visibility System: go.nicoletsong.com/visible.

Do you struggle with boundaries? Discover the blind spots holding you back and take the Boundary Tendencies Quiz: nicoletsong.com/quiz

Want to build morning habits that last so you jump out of bed with energy and clarity every morning? Join Nicole’s 5-Day Morning Challenge: go.nicoletsong.com/morning-habits

Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love for you to at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-self-worth/id1678655504

For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit nicoletsong.com/podcast.

Have a question or topic you’d like Nicole to touch on in a future episode? Email podcast@nicoletsong.com to share any thoughts or feedback.

Learn More About Shang Saavedra at :

• savemycents.com
• https://savemy

Have you ever gotten the feedback that you lack gravitas? Or that you don’t have the presence of a leader?

In this episode, I dive into just what gravitas is — and the essential thing you’re getting WRONG about gravitas (and what you really need to understand about it to get your next promotion.)

Gravitas is often misunderstood, especially among Asian American women, who think it's about emulating the people who have it.

But here’s the thing you’re missing — real gravitas can only come from inside you. It’s part of your unique presence and power.

In this episode, I dive in deeper on how to access your inner gravitas, including simple techniques to step into your power and presence.

Gravitas CAN be simple! You don’t want to miss how easy to make it, so tune in!

The top learnings from this episode:

• Understanding gravitas and its real meaning for leaders. [00:01:51]
• How cultural conditioning impacts your leadership. [00:05:06]
• Why gravitas comes from authentic self-power, not imitation. [00:05:48]
• How to build presence (and stop thinking out loud.). [00:08:03]
• Simple vocal techniques to project authority and confidence. [00:08:46]
• Steps for moving from feedback to self-empowered leadership. [00:09:31]

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag @nicoletsong so we can give you a shout-out and thank you for your support!

ASIAN VISIBILITY SYSTEM: Want to permanently reverse cultural conditioning and step into a life where you feel purposeful and thrive? Grab the Asian Visibility System: go.nicoletsong.com/visible.

Do you struggle with boundaries? Discover the blind spots holding you back and take the Boundary Tendencies Quiz: nicoletsong.com/quiz

Want to build morning habits that last so you jump out of bed with energy and clarity every morning? Join Nicole’s 5-Day Morning Challenge: go.nicoletsong.com/morning-habits

Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love for you to at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-self-worth/id1678655504

For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit nicoletsong.com/podcast.

Have a question or topic you’d like Nicole to touch on in a future episode? Email podcast@nicoletsong.com to share any thoughts or feedback.

Catch up with Nicole:

• Website: nicoletsong.com
• Subscribe to her newsletter
• Instagram: nicoletsong
• Tiktok: @nicoletsong_
• Facebook community: Balance + Boundaries
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-tsong/

Do you ever feel like you’re not fully living up to your potential? Like you know there’s more inside you, and you’re just not sure how to get that version of you out there?

Then today’s episode is for you!

I’ve seen so many talented, accomplished women who, despite all their achievements—juggling work, family, and everything else—still feel like they’re not quite living up to their potential.

In this episode, we talk about the biggest blocks holding back any high-achieving, successful Asian-American woman — especially when it looks on the outside like you’re doing everything “right.”

You’ll learn a key identity shift to make, plus some simple tools to help you step into your fullest potential (including how to set those pesky boundaries) starting TODAY.

You don’t want to miss this powerful episode!

The top learnings from this episode:

• How to uncover your full potential as an Asian American woman [00:00:00]
• The ongoing cycle when the goalpost keeps moving [00:04:55]
• The trap of tying your identity and self-worth to your job [00:08:57]
• Why you struggle to say no [00:10:38]
• The myth of delaying your potential [00:13:22]
• The power of emotional mastery and presence in creating change [00:16:26]

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag @nicoletsong so we can give you a shout-out and thank you for your support!

ASIAN VISIBILITY SYSTEM: Want to permanently reverse cultural conditioning and step into a life where you feel purposeful and thrive? Grab the Asian Visibility System: go.nicoletsong.com/visible.

Do you struggle with boundaries? Discover the blind spots holding you back and take the Boundary Tendencies Quiz: nicoletsong.com/quiz

Want to build morning habits that last so you jump out of bed with energy and clarity every morning? Join Nicole’s 5-Day Morning Challenge: go.nicoletsong.com/morning-habits

Haven’t left a review yet? We’d love for you to at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/school-of-self-worth/id1678655504

For full show notes, transcript, and links, visit nicoletsong.com/podcast.

Have a question or topic you’d like Nicole to touch on in a future episode? Email podcast@nicoletsong.com to share any thoughts or feedback.

Catch up with Nicole:

• Website: nicoletsong.com
• Subscribe to her newsletter
• Instagram: nicoletsong
• Tiktok: @nicoletsong_
• Facebook community: Balance + Boundaries
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-tsong/