Tiffany’s Story: 100% Self-Made, Independent, and Proud of It
Meet Tiffany, an insurance company Customer Service Expert who lives in Michigan with her six-year-old son. What did your upbringing teach you about finances? I was always a hard worker and strived to make my own money. I’ve saved money to buy the things I wanted or felt I deserved. I pride myself on being…
Read MoreAllison’s Story: No Such Thing as Over-Prepared
Meet Allison, a Data Analyst who lives in Winooski, Vermont with her three roommates. What do you do? I am the Manager of Data Analytics for a home health and hospice agency. I’ve been here for a year and a half, and really love my job. I have a lot of autonomy, and I get…
Read MoreBuchi’s Story: Experiences Instead of Material Items
Meet Buchi, a self-employed bookkeeper who lives and works in San Francisco. What do you do? I’m disabled and I’m self-employed with bookkeeping. I do that on the side. It’s been good for these last 9-12 years. What did your upbringing teach you about finances? (laughs) Well, to manage money responsibly. Here in the US,…
Read MoreBrett’s Story: The Price of Debt
Meet Brett, a full-time student living in Indiana, Pennsylvania who’s pursuing his PhD degree. What do you do? I’m in the second year of my program at Indiana University, pursuing a degree in Literature and Criticism. It’s the study of literature but using theories and criticism to discuss different pieces. What did your upbringing teach…
Read MoreAndrew’s Story: The Pursuit of a Minimalist Lifestyle
Meet Andrew, a recent newlywed living in Daly City, CA with his wife and their 13-year old son. What do you do? I work for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission in the Water Resources Department. I’ve been at this position for a little over three years, but I’ve been with the company for over…
Read MoreDaisy’s Story: Dreaming of a Purple House with Chickens
Meet Daisy, a part-time lecturer and breastfeeding peer counselor, living in San Francisco with her 5-year old daughter. What do you do for a living? I currently have two jobs and might pick up a third. I lecture a weekly class at San Francisco State University and I also have a part-time job as a…
Read MorePashen’s Story: Lessons for My Boys
Meet Pashen, a Florida native currently living in Lake Wales with her three sons. What do you do? I’m a paraeducator at my local school district. I help my students who may have learning disabilities. What did your upbringing teach you about finances? As a kid, I was always worried if my parents were going…
Read MoreJanna’s Story: Freedom to Travel
Meet Janna, a licensed social worker who lives in Texas and loves to travel. What do you do? I work for 2-1-1 Texas/UnitedWay HELPLINE, doing outreach and education about 2-1-1 services. I love my work. Every day is different, and there are different topics and coalitions that the community focuses on. I actually heard about…
Read MoreKarina’s Story: Needs Vs. Wants
Meet Karina, a PhD student in Chemistry living in Columbus, Ohio with her young son. What did your upbringing teach you about finances? Sometimes we think we need things that we really don’t need. If you just wait, you realize that you really don’t need that thing. As a kid, when I asked my mom…
Read MoreMaria’s Story: $100 Saved from Every Paycheck
Meet Maria, a social worker assistant with Tribal Child Protective Services. She lives with her husband and three daughters in Phoenix, Arizona. What do you do? My husband is a construction worker and I’m a social worker assistant with Tribal CPS. I enjoy being able to work with kids and help them through problems. What…
Read More