Watching your mother split a hamburger in two to feed you and your baby sister changes you. It creates a mindset where money isn't about wealth but survival. And when survival is your only frame of reference, financial freedom seems impossible.

But here's the truth: how you use money is a trained behavior. Whether you struggle with finances or have built substantial wealth, your relationship with money was shaped by your past-your upbringing, your environment, and the lessons (or lack thereof) you absorbed along the way.

I know this firsthand. Growing up on the Westbank of New Orleans, money wasn't a conversation about building wealth-it was about making it to the next paycheck. Financial struggles were a constant reality; without realizing it, I was conditioned to repeat the cycle. It took years of failure and self-reflection to finally understand that financial freedom isn't about how much money you make but how you manage what you have.

This book is about breaking free from the financial patterns that keep you stuck. It's about shifting from survival mode to a mindset of abundance. Through personal stories, hard lessons, and fundamental strategies, I'll show you how to take control of your money instead of letting money control you.

Jay Gaudet is a successful financial and real estate investment advisor with deep experience in

hedge funds, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, REITs, capital allocation, fund creation, capital raising, and portfolio financing. He's also a popular speaker and holds a Master's Degree from Southern University and A&M College, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.