The Smell of Money: Conscious Financial Freedom & Meaningful Wealth with Derrick Kinney

Amber Stitt
May 20
3 min read

Pathways to Purpose: Derrick Kinney on Money, Mindset, and Making an Impact

In a world filled with financial “shoulds,” where shame often shadows spending habits and budgeting is touted as the only path to financial freedom, Derrick Kinney brings a refreshing perspective: make your money work for you and do good while doing it. In this episode of Pathways with Amber Stitt, Derrick shares his journey from financial advisor to national speaker, author, and advocate for embracing your passions—and your favorite coffee.

Rethinking Money Mindsets: No More Latte Guilt

Derrick Kinney doesn’t mince words when it comes to the shaming messages around spending. He challenges the narrative that enjoying small luxuries like a daily Starbucks means you’re doomed financially: “If you like your coffee, I say that coffee is the smell of money. When I go to the coffee shop…and I’m spending $4, I’m with somebody I love, I’m building a new relationship, I’m doing a business deal. Coffee is an investment for me. And if coffee makes you feel good, buy your coffee.”

His solution is simple and empowering: instead of cutting every joy out of your budget, focus on making more money. Find a way to generate just a bit more each day—enough to cover your indulgences and then some. “Don’t budget yourself to financial freedom. Let’s make more money doing what you enjoy, impacting the causes you care about,” Derrick urges.

Finding Your Calling and Purpose

Derrick’s transition from financial advisor to impact-focused entrepreneur was born out of deep self-reflection. For a decade, he took annual solo sabbaticals to the beach, asking himself three powerful questions: “What can I do to be a better father, a better husband, and a better business owner?” In 2019, this led him to a pivotal realization—it was time to sell his financial planning business, not because he was retiring, but because his heart was pulling him somewhere new.

He embraced a philosophy of “betting on himself,” stepping away from a comfortable career to build something even more meaningful. Now, through his book, podcast, and weekly segments on Dr. Phil’s new network, Derrick is on a mission to make money simple—and shame-free—for everyone.

Advice for Advisors: Stand Out By Going High-Touch

For financial advisors, Derrick’s advice is grounded in authenticity and relationship-building. While technology and AI are valuable, “when things get high tech, you’ve got to go high touch.” He encourages advisors, especially new ones, to prioritize personal connections: “Make it a point to go to two or three coffees a week. Coffee is the smell of money. People love coffee.” These meetings aren’t just about potential business—they’re about building trust and credibility. Even rejection, he insists, plants seeds of respect and future opportunity.

Derrick also shares creative networking “hacks”—like befriending community connectors to fill event tables and volunteering as the unofficial greeter at events. These small gestures amplify your visibility and reputation without the need for grand gestures or lavish spending.

The Power of a Generosity Purpose

A key theme of the podcast is aligning money with meaning. Derrick recounts the story of a client, Dave, who was uninspired at work until he tied his business growth to funding a school overseas. This simple shift, which Derrick calls your “generosity purpose,” not only reinvigorated Dave and his team but also attracted clients eager to be part of something bigger.

When businesses communicate their cause from the start, clients and employees feel connected to a shared mission. “Anybody can work with any consultant, but if you work with a consultant who’s also making other people’s lives better, it’s a double win,” Derrick concludes.

Keep It Simple, Keep It Human

Derrick’s final insight? In a landscape of alphabet soup credentials and complex sales pitches, the advisors who succeed are those who specialize in solving relatable problems for real people. “People don’t care how many designations you have. They care about themselves and their problems.”

Keep your focus simple. Take regular time to reflect, align your work with your values, and prioritize meaningful connections. In Derrick’s words: “The simples win.”