Throughout my childhood, the expectation to go to college came exclusively from me. My success at school (formerly gifted child, Iykyk), coupled with the fact that I would be the first to my entire family, immediate and extensive, to go to college, are fueled by a perceived “requirement” to do well enough to accept and graduate. My parents were encouraging in my academic ambitions, but no one had gone to college and so they didn’t push me too much. My parents also did not save for my college and it was not in a financial position to help pay, so not only did I have the fantastic pressure to go into college, but I had to understand a way to pay for myself. I was able to push several scholarships to take a free walk to a public school outside the state, where I won two Bachelor degree in four years. A few years later I decided to rotate my career’s ambitions to finance (my diplomas are both liberal arts and initially I wanted to go to social work) and got a Master’s Finance. I made about $ 50,000 on student loans to pay for it, and I paid the loans in 2019.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have for the money? Does your parents train you on finances?
My dad was in the army, so we grew up, we moved a lot, something that did a good job to hide the struggles my parents faced, at least from my perspective. As soon as my dad retired and moved back to my parents’ house, I was in high school and big enough to be a sound painting for my mom’s frustrations and fears, which was the opening of the eyes. My parents grew up poor and tend to spend everything and save anything, which meant that when unexpected bills came, the legs would be erased from below. My mom wanted to save money, but daddy liked to go as much as she did, which caused many battles and anxiety. I learned economic alphabetism on my own, through reading and using my parents as an example of what not to do. They are doing better now, but my dad wants to retire and have no savings.
What was your first job and why did you get it?
When I was 12, I would like Babysit for some of the people with whom my dad worked to change pocket. When I turned 14, I was able to get my first part -time job in a bakery in the summer. At 15, I proceeded to the chain of a quick food in my home country, where I worked for part -time during the school year and full -time in summer to college. I also worked full -time in college in the same fast food chain, only in a different state.
Are you worried about the money that is growing up?
I was not actively worried about money until I was in high school and my mom started to open me how bad things were. However, looking back when I was younger, I had to know subconsciously that things were not so big, since I knew not to ask for additives. We never went on vacation (traffic per military orders were our vacation/trips). We never went without food. When I was in college my dad suddenly abandoned his job and I had to help my mom with their mortgage and food for my brother and sister. For about six months, I sent my mom $ 500 a month and worked extra shifts (and accumulated debit cards) to pay for it.
Are you worried about money now?
All the time. My husband M. and I worked very hard to get to the position we are now, but I don’t think I know economic peace, even though our only debt is our mortgage and we have healthy savings. I was the family student in our wedding since my husband left the army in 2022 and while I don’t mind making the most of the money, I have a lot of stress that is the only one who is employed, especially with the job market as it is right now. M. will be done with his program next spring and his program has a stellar history of almost 100% job placement, with a starting position of about $ 80,000. I would like to think as soon as he settled in his new career, I will be able to leave the breath I have kept in recent years, but I know my brain will move the target and stabilize something else.
At what age became financially responsible for yourself and have a financial security net?
It became financially independent when I moved from the state for college at 18 years. If M. and I have ever been in terrible economic narrows, we would always have a place to stay at my parents’ home or in the house of M.’s parents, but no side of the family has the cash to help legally, nor would we ask them.
Have you ever received passive or hereditary income? If yes, explain.
No, both for myself and for my husband.
