#financialjournal

There is a specific quietness to the market when the cost of money is high.

I spent years of my life in New York and Chicago, studying how markets break—how liquidity evaporates during stress tests and how order books thin out when uncertainty rises. Now, back in Brazil, I am watching a different kind of phenomenon: the weight of a 15% interest rate.

Today, the USD/BRL pair is trading near 5.51. It is a stable number, but it hides a massive tension. On one side, we have the global crypto market, with Bitcoin hovering near $86,800, promising a future of decentralized value. On the other side, we have the tangible, immediate reality of Brazilian fixed income offering 15% per year.

The Investor's Dilemma For the Brazilian investor, this is the ultimate test of conviction. Why take on the variance of the crypto market—with its slippage, transaction costs, and tail risks—when the state pays you handsomely to sit on your hands?

This is where the concept of "Risk Premium" becomes vital. My work at BlackRock taught me that you don't get paid for taking risk; you get paid for managing it. In this environment, the "premium" required to hold volatile assets is higher than ever.

The View from the Desk I am watching the spreads today. They are wider than usual on local exchanges. This is the market telling us that liquidity providers are demanding more compensation for their inventory risk. With the Fed signaling a "higher for longer" stance in the US, and Brazil holding the line, the liquidity that fuels parabolic runs is currently locked in government treasuries.

When it comes to managing money, it’s easy to let habits slip by unnoticed, impulsive purchases, subscription renewals, or last-minute expenses that pile up. That’s why financial journals are becoming a game-changer in 2025 for anyone looking to build wealth and gain clarity around their spending.

A financial journal isn’t just a place to jot down expenses. It’s a tool for self-awareness, helping people understand their money patterns, set priorities, and make intentional choices. By writing things down, you start seeing how small purchases add up and how you can align spending with long-term goals.

Why financial journaling is catching on:

Tracks spending patterns: Helps spot where money is going and how it could be redirected.

Encourages mindful purchases: Being aware makes you think twice before impulsively buying.

Supports goal setting: Journals provide space to outline savings targets and plan for the future.

I started journaling my finances after realizing that I was constantly stressed but didn’t know why. Over a few weeks, I tracked every expense, from coffee runs to groceries, and quickly saw where I was overspending. It wasn’t about guilt; it was about awareness. I adjusted small habits and found extra money to invest, all while feeling more in control.

Experts say that journaling helps people shift from reactive spending to proactive planning. Whether you’re saving for a home, planning a vacation, or building an emergency fund, seeing your financial landscape laid out helps reduce anxiety and promotes confidence.

Financial journaling isn’t complicated. You can use a simple notebook, a spreadsheet, or an app. The key is consistency, logging purchases, noting patterns, and reflecting on what feels aligned or unnecessary.

The best part? It empowers you to build wealth without extreme budgeting or deprivation. You learn to make smarter choices, celebrate small wins, and gradually create habits that support long-term success.

Aug 22, 2918

After some reflection (and a text asking what I want for my birthday), I came up with a short list. 

Wants: (aka things I dont really need and can live without but will buy myself...eventually. Or forget about.) 

Ear re-piercings,

Smartwatch for fitness tracking

School sweatpants from my alma mater

License plate frame from my alma mater because I wasn’t thinking and only bought one when I graduated 

The earrings from the NYPL Rosette collection to match the bracelet and necklace I have

Needs: 

To get off my lazy ass and go put gas in my car

My birthday is coming up soon and a friend texted me to ask what I want for my birthday. How do I tell him that all I really want is for my student loan deferment to be approved? Or less financial pressure overall? Or a raise at work so I can pay bills but still have room to breathe? Or for our friends to be more financially literate and gain some financial independence? 

When people ask me what I want, I always think of the boy from The Golden Goblet. At the end, the Queen asks Ranofer what he wants in reward for catching the tomb robbers. Ranofer’s dream is to one day become a master goldsmith, so he asks the Queen for a donkey. He doesn’t ask for wealth or power, he’s only wanted a donkey. With the donkey he can build himself a little house in the dessert, cut papyrus and earn a living to support himself while he apprentices under Zau, a great goldsmith. He doesn’t want riches, he wants the means and opportunity to earn it. 

There is truth in the saying: “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” 

Been trying to get my student loan servicer and the university office to work together so I can push this deferment paperwork through... it was a lot of emailing and forms and asking questions, but the lady in the university office was really helpful and actually answered my emails promptly. The one time she didn’t have an answer for me, she forwarded my message to the correct department and then she let me know they’d replied before I even got to work the next day. We need more ladies like her doing things in places. 

Was doing so well on paying off the credit card and was so close to triple digits... but just hit -$3k today. 

Started a new certification program that shouldn’t take me more than a year and half, but all the fees... $700 for the intro class, $600 for the 2nd class, $50 parking permit just for the quarter alone, $10 for an ID so I can log on?? $10 to have my transcript sent from my undergraduate university, and its going to be another $20 to request a loan deferment letter. 

That may be my only saving grace; if they grant me a deferment on my student loans. That $300/mo will go towards tuition and saving for the next quarter’s tuition. The estimated cost for the program is about $8k total not including fees/materials/books/transportation so... its going to be a super tight year and half upcoming. At least the deferment will take the water level from right under my nose to right under my chin. Will have to stay on my tiptoes though. It’ll be rough. 

Several charges on my credit card cleared, including a forgotten one for date night burgers previous Sunday. Brings my credit card to over -$1500. Ouch.