Join host Rita Soledad Fernández-Paulino, a Queer Mexican-American money & self-care coach, as they teach you how to engage in D.I.V.E.R.S.E. self-care so you can stay in the wealth-building cycle.
Five years ago, I never imagined I’d be here—running a thriving money and self-care business, buying a million-dollar home in Los Angeles, and celebrating $80,000 in savings. But my journey to financial security wasn’t linear. It was filled with struggles, uncertainty, and self-discovery. In the first episode of the Wealth Para Todos podcast, I share the story of how I went from financial stress to financial empowerment, why community and self-care are at the core of everything I do, and what you can expect from this podcast as we grow together.
Six years ago, I was a public school math teacher who thought I had my finances under control. Then, in March 2019, everything changed. I was hospitalized twice in one week, struggling to breathe due to severe inflammation in my body. My health forced me to take a six-month medical leave, and for the first time in my life, I had no control over how much money I could bring in. My husband had just shut down his company, and we only had $7,000 in savings. The financial anxiety was overwhelming.
I was 32 years old, sick, stuck in bed, and drowning in medical bills. It was in that moment of desperation that a simple conversation with my cousin changed everything. He showed me a budget he had created on his phone—a concept I had never seen before. That one moment led me down a rabbit hole of personal finance books, sparking a transformation I never expected.
As I built my financial literacy, I began experimenting with budgeting and financial planning. I made a bold decision: We would continue living off my disability checks, even after my husband found a job. Every dollar of his income went toward paying off our student loan debt. In just four months, we eliminated $23,000 in student loans. I felt an immense sense of accomplishment and proudly shared my success on Instagram—only to be met with silence.
That silence stung. It made me realize how rare it was for people in my community to openly discuss money. No one around me was talking about financial security, debt payoff, or wealth building. That’s when I knew: I needed a space where people like me could discuss dinero with confianza. And so, on February 23, 2020, I created an anonymous Instagram account to do just that.
At first, I was hesitant to show my face. I grew up hearing that talking about money was tacky and rude. But as my online community grew, I knew I had to lead by example. I wanted to create a space where first-gen wealth builders, BIPOC individuals, women, and LGBTQ+ folks could talk about money openly and without shame.
Through Wealth Para Todos, I’ve shared the ups and downs of my financial journey—my wins, my mistakes, and everything in between. I want you to know that financial security is possible for all of us. It doesn’t mean we ignore the systemic barriers that make wealth-building harder for marginalized communities. Instead, we acknowledge them, navigate them, and build financial security in a way that honors our wellness.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve seen my glow-up firsthand. You’ve watched this community grow into a safe space for financial conversations. But if you’re new here, welcome! I want this podcast to feel like a conversation between friends—whether we’re sipping tea, going for a hike, or just catching up.
Here’s what you can expect:
I hope this episode reminds you that you are capable of building wealth without sacrificing your wellness. I’ll be here every Sunday to support you, encourage you, and give you the confidence to pursue financial security on your own terms.
If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Follow me on Instagram @WealthParaTodos and DM me your biggest takeaway. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review so we can reach more gente who need this message.
Until next time, may you honor where you’ve been and be intentional about where you’re going next. And remember—your wellness is essential to the collective.
The podcast is ideal for BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals looking to take control of their financial lives and work towards retiring early.
The Wealth Para Todos podcast, hosted by Rita-Soledad Fernandez Paulino, is dedicated to helping first-generation wealth builders identify and heal the wounds that may be holding them back from building generational wealth.
The podcast provides actionable insights and skills to manage one's mind, achieve financial goals, and develop beliefs and habits that lead to financial freedom.