You want to save for the future. You also want to say yes to the trip, the dinner, the new thing.<\/p>\n
Tunde Oyeneyin says you can do both.<\/p>\n
Tunde is a Peloton instructor, a Nike athlete, a keynote speaker and the NYT bestselling author of Speak. She joined us at the Capital One Caf\u00e9 at Brickell for Money, Mindset & Mantras, a fireside chat on building financial confidence while living fully. Guests then curated their own signature scent at an interactive scent bar, rooted in their goals and intentions.<\/p>\n
We asked Tunde a few questions before the event. Her answers are honest, practical and easy to use.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve been a Peloton instructor, a bestselling author, an athlete and a speaker. What\u2019s the common thread?<\/p>\n
Confidence and connection. Before Peloton, I went through my own fitness journey. I set out to lose weight, but I gained so much more. I lost 70 pounds, but what I really gained was a confidence I realized I had a responsibility to share.<\/p>\n
Before that, I spent 15 years as a makeup artist. Underneath the makeup, I saw people looking for ways to feel more confident. I remember a woman living with cancer sitting in my chair. As I applied her eyebrows, I watched her light up. It wasn\u2019t really about the eyebrows. It was about helping her feel like herself again.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t see these as separate chapters. You don\u2019t have to be one thing at a time. You can be anything and everything, all at once.<\/p>\n
Your book Speak is about using your voice. When did you realize your relationship with money was part of that story?<\/p>\n
My family grew up with very little money. My mother tried to shelter us from how bad things were. My parents would argue about money, and they prioritized the mortgage, which sometimes meant things like heat and hot water went without. But that was my normal. I was told not to talk about money, so I never asked questions or learned how to manage it.<\/p>\n
I never dreamed of financial independence. I dreamed of being a kept woman and marrying a wealthy man.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t until my 30s that I realized I can keep myself.<\/p>\n
Many people feel they have to choose between saving and saying \u201cyes\u201d to experiences now. How do you think about that?<\/p>\n
You can be intentional about your future without putting your present life on hold.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m a big believer in experiences. The trips, the dinners, the moments with friends, the things that push you outside your comfort zone. Those make life feel full. I don\u2019t want to get so focused on building a future that I forget to live the life I have right now.<\/p>\n
At the same time, there\u2019s a lot of freedom in being financially responsible. Savings and investments give you options, peace of mind, and the ability to say yes when opportunities come along.<\/p>\n
What was your biggest money mindset shift?<\/p>\n
Understanding how to grow my money. Saving money holds my money, but investing money grows my money.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s one small financial habit that has made the biggest difference in your confidence?<\/p>\n
Asking questions. I share the belief Capital One has: everyone deserves to feel confident, capable and in control with their money. Finances can feel overwhelming. Having the ability to ask questions, and access to the right tools, builds that confidence.<\/p>\n
How do you stay disciplined about living within your means without feeling deprived?<\/p>\n
Be more mindful of everyday spending so you can say yes to the trips, experiences and things that truly matter to you. The little decisions add up. Make sure the way you spend reflects the life you actually want to live.<\/p>\n
Do you have a mantra you return to when you\u2019re facing a money decision?<\/p>\n
A goal is a wish, and a standard holds you accountable. Focus on small steps instead of dramatic transformations. Every penny you save right now will affect your tomorrow. It\u2019s the small, consistent choices that create great impact.<\/p>\n
How can someone build a mantra that actually changes their behavior?<\/p>\n
Build it around a specific behavior and trigger. For example: \u201cWhen I feel overwhelmed, I will take the next smallest step.\u201d Keep it brief, believable, and tied to an immediate action you can practice.<\/p>\n
Why is scent such a powerful way to anchor a goal or mindset?<\/p>\n
A scent built around an intention becomes a tangible reminder of how you want to feel and who you\u2019re working toward becoming. We get caught up in the day to day and lose sight of our intentions. Something as simple as a scent can bring you back.<\/p>\n
Miami is built on ambition, and it\u2019s expensive. What would you tell someone who wants to enjoy the city and build their financial future?<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t get caught up in what everyone else is doing. I live in Brooklyn, where there\u2019s something to do on every corner, and it\u2019s easy to compare your experiences to other people\u2019s. But social media\u2019s version of fun isn\u2019t necessarily your version of fun. You don\u2019t have to spend money to have a good time. Get clear on what genuinely brings you joy, and prioritize those things.<\/p>\n
If a reader takes away just one thing, what should it be?<\/p>\n
Be optimistic and hopeful about your future. Statistically, more doors open when you believe they will. Your attention widens, your brain shows you more possibilities, and you\u2019re more likely to live the life you\u2019re manifesting. Your future is as expansive as what you can hope for.<\/p>\n
I also hope people take away that it\u2019s never too late to improve your financial literacy. There\u2019s always something new to learn, and partners like Capital One make it easier.<\/p>\n
Start small. Pick one habit, one question, one mantra. Then build from there.<\/p>\n
Follow Tunde on Instagram at @tune2tunde<\/a> and pick up Speak wherever you buy books.<\/p>\n Thank you to Capital One<\/a> for hosting us at the Capital One Caf\u00e9 at Brickell.<\/p>\n