Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Linda Ta Yonemoto. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Linda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?

One of the most important lessons I learned came from managing multimillion-dollar marketing campaigns in corporate, agency, and tech environments. By day, I was entrusted with overseeing large-scale advertising budgets, analyzing ROI, and making strategic decisions to drive growth. But behind the scenes, I was also budgeting every dollar of my own “9 to 5” paycheck on a mission to become financially free after growing up poor and in the negative.

At work, I learned how to forecast, analyze performance, and justify every spend. In my personal life, I applied those same skills to get out of debt, invest in the stock market and real estate, and eventually become work-optional by age 36.

I didn’t grow up with wealth. Far from it. Growing up, money wasn’t discussed unless it was about survival. I started my career during the Great Recession, worked three jobs to pay off my student loans, pivoted multiple times, and taught myself how to build wealth from scratch by learning about F.I.R.E. That dual experience of corporate strategist by day and financial freedom student by night taught me that financial empowerment isn’t reserved for the wealthy and elite. It’s a skillset, and it can be learned.

Most importantly, it showed me that your starting point doesn’t determine your future. You can begin where you are. I cheer for all the late bloomers because I was one too.

Linda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi, I’m Linda Ta Yonemoto, a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®), Next Gen Personal Finance Distinguished Educator, and the founder of Good For You Money. My expertise has been featured in Bankrate, Credible, Wavecomber, and other media outlets.

I created Good For You Money as a financial education platform for first-generation and underserved women in corporate, tech, and agency life. All others are welcome, but my heart is especially with women who feel behind, overlooked, or exhausted by financial systems that weren’t built for us.

I help early- and mid-career women align their money with their values, build wealth on their own terms, and grow what I call their GFY$ fund or “peace-out” money so they’re never stuck in situations that don’t serve them.

What sets me apart? I’m proud to be a first-generation Southeast Asian American and daughter of Vietnamese immigrants. My origin story is filled with firsts:
– First to graduate from college
– First to break into corporate leadership
– First to buy investment property
– First to quit my dream job to travel the world
– First to almost die in my mid-30s, which reminded me that wealth is about more than money—it’s also time, health, and freedom

Today, I serve as the Founder, “CRO” Chief Reminder Officer, and “CEO” Chief Encouragement Officer of Good For You Money, creating the kind of content I wish I had when I was younger. Over the past decade, I’ve mentored over 100 professionals in agency, tech, and corporate spaces.

I speak at conferences, lead workshops, and provide culturally-aware financial education that’s honest, relatable, and grounded. And I also offer limited 1:1 financial consulting or “money coaching” to select clients. Whether you’re just starting out or seeking more financial peace of mind, I’m here to help you grow your mindset and your money.

My mission is to reach 100,000 women by 2030 and support their path to financial freedom.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I quit my dream job to take a self-funded career sabbatical, people thought I was making a huge mistake.
My boss who was also a friend, was shocked and asked if I’d won the lottery. The executive team offered to leave the door open for consulting. We parted on good terms, but they were surprised.

On paper, I was thriving: managing multimillion-dollar marketing budgets, holding a senior title, leading large teams, developing others, and doing work for clients I was proud of. I’d checked off all the boxes. But privately, I was grieving personal losses, feeling burnt out after telling myself “one more year”, and hearing a quiet voice telling me it was time to pause.

What most people didn’t see was the decade-plus of preparation behind that decision. I’d been budgeting every dollar, investing consistently, and building what I call my GFY$ fund, aka a “peace-out” freedom fund. It gave me the power to walk away, not out of recklessness, but out of great intention.

Resilience isn’t just about pushing through. Sometimes, it’s about knowing when to stop. Choosing rest, yourself, and your family. Trusting that your worth doesn’t disappear when you take a break.

That sabbatical, also funded in part with travel points and miles, changed my life. It gave me the time and space to reflect, recover, and imagine what could come next. It’s when the seeds of Good For You Money truly took root.

Resilience, to me, means honoring your values, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard. And choosing a path that’s good for you, even if others don’t understand it yet.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I built Good For You Money by telling the truth with my straight-talking voice and a kind heart.

Not the shiny, polished version. The real, messy, in-progress truth of being a first-gen woman navigating money, career, and identity in a world that often leaves people like us out of the conversation and behind.

What helped most was showing up authentically, both online and offline, and creating space for others to feel seen and safe doing the same. I drew from my background in marketing and community building, where I’d long paid it forward. I also invested in education and certifications to build upon the knowledge that I had taught myself.

And before I ever launched my platform, I’d already mentored dozens of early and mid-career professionals across agency, tech, and corporate spaces by helping them grow in their careers, confidence, and money mindset.

I always share with one person in mind: my younger self. If she would’ve needed it, I know someone else does too.

People don’t want generic advice. They want guidance from someone who gets it and someone who’s been there. That’s what I offer: financial education rooted in lived experience, cultural awareness, and compassion.

Wealth isn’t just for “them.” It’s for us.
First-gen. Late bloomers. Quiet rebels. Anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t belong in financial spaces.

And I’m proud to be a qualified resource, trusted advocate, and community partner who meets people where they are.

If you’ve ever felt behind, left out of the financial conversation, or like money just wasn’t made for people like you, I see you. I’ve been there too.

That’s why I created Good For You Money. To share honest, culturally aware financial education for first-gen women and anyone ready to align their money with their values and build wealth on their terms.

Follow along, get free resources, or say hi over social media. I’d love to hear your story because your voice, experience, and financial freedom journey matter too.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.goodforyoumoney.com (coming soon!)
• Instagram: @goodforyoumoney
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindatayonemoto/