10 lessons, 1 year, and an invite to my next workshop
Ditch the earn-more, spend-more trap
This newsletter helps ambitious professionals take control of their money and build real financial freedom without stress, jargon or overwhelm.
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One year ago, I walked away from Salesforce with no safety net and a simple question:
Could I actually help people build financial freedom?
Twelve months later, I've coached 270 people, spoken to over a thousand more, and learned more about money than in the previous 18 years combined.
Here are the 10 biggest lessons from my first year in business.
(Spoiler: Lesson #3 is exactly why I'm running a workshop on 20 October.)
1. High income ≠ freedom
I spoke with people earning €40,000 and €400,000.
Freedom doesn't come from your salary. It comes from having a system that keeps and grows what you earn.
2. The 'good old days' are a myth
At Salesforce: "You should've joined five years ago." In business: "You should've started before 2020." The truth? There are always "good old days" somewhere. The best time is still today.
3. No one else will do this for you
Your company won't teach you financial freedom. HR won't build your plan. If you want it, you have to claim it yourself.
This lesson changed everything for me. It's also why I created my workshop.
Because I realised most high earners need the same thing: someone to show them the system, walk them through the numbers, and give them a clear first step.
4. Everyone benefits from knowing the system
Whether you're an SDR starting out or an Area VP at the peak of your career, the principles of financial freedom apply to everyone.
The sooner you learn them, the bigger the payoff.
5. Clarity beats guesses
"I think I'm doing okay" is not a financial plan.
The moment you know your real numbers (exactly what you earn, spend, save, and invest), everything changes.
6. Taxes are brutal
As an employee I didn't give tax much thought. I would just cut my total pay in half in my mind.
As a business owner, I lose 60% of what my clients pay me to VAT, Income tax, USC and PRSI.
It's painful but it goes to show how important tax strategies are.
7. People don't want tips, they want connection
When I only shared financial facts, nobody cared.
When I shared my story and personality, people leaned in.
Money is practical, but it's also deeply human.
8. I'm no traditional Financial Adviser
But I started sounding like one.
Always asking people to 'book a call'.
I don't offer financial advice, I offer financial education.
Way more valuable!
So I am learning how to operate an education business not an advice business.
9. My biggest investments aren't financial
This year, I have not invested extra in the stock market.
The best returns came from investing in my health, relationships, and personal growth.
Because if you can do something longer (work, train, live fully) you'll have more time to grow everything else too.
10. Freedom doesn't mean doing it alone
Solopreneurship can feel lonely. Financial freedom can too.
The truth is, building your support support is just as important as building your net worth.
These 10 lessons all point to one truth:
Freedom isn't a fantasy. It's a formula.
And that formula is exactly what I'll teach in my next workshop.
Your First Step to Financial Freedom
📅 Monday, 20 October
🕗 8:00pm Irish time
⏱ 90 minutes + live Q&A
💶 €99 (last time at this price)
🎟 Only 30 seats (20 left)
This workshop isn't about your age or career stage. It's about being ready to take control of your finances.
It's for everyone who knows they should be doing something better with their money, but doesn't know where to start.
Here's what we'll cover:
The 4 mistakes keeping high earners stuck
Most tech professionals earning more than €70k are making at least one of these. We'll figure out which one is costing you the most.
Why you're broke earning €90,000 (it's not what you think)
The €661,000 cost of keeping cash in the bank
Why trying to time the market cuts your returns by 54%
Why earning less than €70,000 means you need a different strategy first
The Become a Millionaire Tracker
You'll get the tool I use to track my own finances. 15 minutes to set up. Use it for life. You'll know exactly where you stand and what to fix first.
Cash, Pension and ETS: The Building Blocks
You'll understand when to use each one and how they work together.
I'll show you my portfolio, what I hold, and why.
(I don't recommend specific products, but you'll see what I actually do with my own money.)
Why your pension fund is costing you €475,000
Same monthly contributions. Different fund. €475,000 difference over 30 years. I'll show you the math and the 15-minute fix.
What you'll leave with:
Which mistake is your biggest bottleneck
Whether to prioritise pension vs ETFs vs something else
A blueprint for financial freedom
What's actually possible when you fix your system
Strategic clarity to make your own decisions
What this isn't:
A step-by-step tutorial on opening accounts or buying specific funds. Or a detailed overview of pensions, AVCs, and taxes.
(I might do a deep-dive on those in a future workshop. Or I can coach you one-to-one.)
What past attendees said:
Catherine: "I took action to optimise my pension straight away. Totally worth the investment."
Bettirose: "What stood out was how open he was sharing his own numbers. It gave me confidence to take action right away."
Naoimh: "I don't think you will find any better way to spend 90 minutes that will change your mindset."
The details:
📅 Monday, 20 October
🕗 8:00pm Irish time
⏱ 90 minutes + live Q&A
📍 Google Meet
📹 Recording available
💶 €99
🎟 Only 30 seats (20 left)
🔒 Privacy: Cameras optional. Questions anonymous. Your finances stay private.
There are only 20 spots left and 1,530 are getting this email.
That is it for this week. I am off to do a 35km run. That will be the longest run in my training. Can't wait to get that one behind me.
See you there,
Sjoerd
P.S. If you're private about money (most Irish people are), that's fine. Cameras off. Anonymous questions. You control what you share. I'll share all my numbers—but you don't need to share anything with anyone.
Sjoerd Bak
Become a Millionaire Ltd
www.bamillionaire.com
