My Money Story

Your earliest memory of money can have a profound impact on your financial attitudes and behaviors. Growing in a low-income household, I witnessed a lot of our hardships and struggles. My first money memory was watching my mom count the money for rent, offering silent thanks that we had enough set aside. This moment instilled in me the importance of an emergency fund and prudent spending habits. While my parents managed their finances well, they lacked resources and guidance beyond basic budgeting.

Immediately after graduating college, I started my first professional job. Upon stepping into the professional realm, I was met with a substantial salary bump. I struggled with the way I viewed money. I was earning income that neither my parents or siblings had ever earned. I grappled with conflicting impulses: part of me yearned to splurge money, as if to compensate for unfulfilled childhood desires. The other wanted to hoard every cent, because when you’ve been on survival mode your entire life, you’re just waiting for something to happen. I also felt a weight of obligation to my family, which made me hesitant to spend on myself. Initially, I hoarded my earnings, reluctant to allocate them towards anything other than basic necessities. I then reassessed my spending plan to see how it reflected my values. I approached everything with a sense of balance that honored my values; supporting my family, spending on the things that I value, and saving for my future self.

Drawing from my personal journey, I embarked on a career in finance with a mission to make financial planning more accessible to people that are typically underserved. I aim to reach those who, like me, are navigating the complex dynamics of the sandwich generation—supporting both preceding and succeeding generations while striving for their own financial stability.