Industry: Health Care
Age: 36
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Salary: $44,985
Net value: -$45,382.18 ($6,599.82 in savings, less debt)
Debt: $51,982 (student loans: $51,239, personal loan: $550, credit card: $194)
Paycheck amount (4x/month, 2x/month, 1x/month for both parallel gigs): $305 (agency one). $203 (agency two); $200 (side gig one). $100 (side gig two)
Pronouns: She/her
Monthly expenses
Monthly housing costs: $650 (I rent a room from a friend’s mansion. I have a floor to myself.)
Monthly loan payments: $100 a month on a personal loan, $100 on a credit card.
All other monthly expenses:
Amazon: $7.61 (with discount)
Class: $61
Renter’s Insurance: $9
Life insurance: $75
Emergency Savings: $40
Patreon: $25
YNAB: $16.32
Tidal: $10.99
Was there an expectation to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If so, how did you pay for it?
There was, but there were never any serious discussions about what that would entail. I felt like I figured things out on my own. I went to college and got a lot of loans and some grants. I changed universities after my freshman year and ended up paying out-of-state tuition despite being an in-state resident.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parents/guardians educate you about finances?
There was very little talk about money. My mother used to show us how to save money with coupons, but that was about it.
What was your first job and why did you get it?
My first job was working in a fast food restaurant. I worked over the summer because I wanted to pay for my class ring (which was $144).
Were you worried about money growing up?
I was constantly worried about money growing up. I feel like when I was a kid, my worldview was shattered when my mother told me we were poor. I never experienced dire poverty—I always had clothes, even if they were used or tattered, and I never went hungry. But I was ashamed to ask for things that were not necessary.
Are you worried about money now?
I still worry about money now, although it’s not as bad as it used to be. I am slowly working on building my emergency fund and looking to enter a new career field that could potentially be high.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and have a financial safety net?
I moved when I went to college. My parents would send me a few hundred dollars if I asked, but I always hated (and still do) asking for money. Currently, if things were that bad, I could move home.
Do you have or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If so, please explain.
I make videos on the side and if I don’t make a video for the month I still have a residual income of a few hundred a month.
