How To Become Financially Free In Your 20s Even If You’re Broke - Lillian Zhang | #28
<p>What if your “money problem” isn’t laziness—but a short-term, TikTok-fuelled mindset quietly killing your long-term future? In this episode, Lillian breaks down the biggest Gen Z money myth: chasing quick wins instead of building a 5–10 year plan. We talk about why old-school boomer advice doesn’t fully fit today’s world (AI, meme coins, post-COVID jobs), and how to balance learning vs doing so your skills, internships, and network actually turn into future income.</p><p>You’ll learn how to think about student loans, your first salary, big-ticket costs like rent and cars, and the difference between “luck” and real long-term investing. Lillian explains compounding in both money and habits, and why building a personal brand might be one of your most powerful financial moves. If you’ve ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or stuck, this episode gives you a simple roadmap to grow your skills, income, and confidence—without comparing your step one to someone else’s step 100.</p><p>Lillian is a first-gen Asian American author, financial and career educator, media entrepreneur, and tech marketer based in San Francisco. As the author of <em>The New Money Rules: The Gen Z Guide to Personal Finance</em>, Lillian turns her lived experience—figuring out money, career, and wealth from scratch—into clear, actionable guidance for the next generation.</p><p>Lillian Socials:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/bylillianzhang">https://www.instagram.com/bylillianzhang</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://tiktok.com/@lillianzhang_">http://tiktok.com/@lillianzhang_</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianzhang1/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianzhang1/</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://youtube.com/lillianyt">http://youtube.com/lillianyt</a></p><p>GET THE BOOK 📖:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://lillianzhang.com/book">https://lillianzhang.com/book</a></p><p></p><p>Reach Out: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/">https://www.instagram.com/rishikurada/</a> </p><p>Intro Song Credits: Song: Cartoon, Jéja - On & On (feat. Daniel Levi) [NCS Release] Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds Free Download/Stream: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://ncs.io/onandon">http://ncs.io/onandon</a> Watch: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c">http://youtu.be/K4DyBUG242c</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LohNAtR5av4</a> - Instrumental</p>