My parents were teenage parents, so they always emphasized the idea that I didn’t “want to end up like them”, working very hard for very few. Taking this, they never finished high school, so even though I was expected to go to college, we had no idea how to pay for it or what was the scholarship process. I did a semester and left, I started working, meeting my husband B., and moved to New York. At the moment I am registered with an Associates program that I take my sweet time I finish and pay in cash. If I don’t have the cash to pay the tuition, I skip the lessons this semester.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have for the money? Does your parents train you on finances?
My parents didn’t have much financial education. They both grew up very poor, they had me when they were young and did their best to make a better life for me and my younger sister. I know they had some retirement accounts, but they were never discussed. Most of the time, the money conversations were about how we couldn’t afford Xyz.
What was your first job and why did you get it?
My first job was to work on the Light Board at my Gymnasium Theater to spend money. It was the only job my parents would leave me (because they were at school) and paid $ 18 an hour, so even two or three hours were more money than many of my peers. In addition, all my friends were there. I also babysat since I was 11 to 15, but that was unpaid and was just expected as the elderly female child.
Are you worried about the money that is growing up?
Yes. All the time. My parents had me when he was 16 and my father was homeless until he was 18 and old enough to qualify for public help. We had section 8 and the food stamps that grow up until I was about eight and my parents were suitable to buy their own home. By the time I was in high school, I knew better than asking anything. There was no money for benefits. Sometimes there was money for bigger jobs, but it was expected with home. We paid in the privilege of living there and doing (some) school activities. It was easier to try to find a way to make things than it was to ask for something, knowing that the answer was that we couldn’t stand it.
Are you worried about money now?
Sometimes. I know spiritually that I make decent money and have excellent health insurance, after all, but I have anxiety and panic when I sometimes see big accounts.
At what age became financially responsible for yourself and have a financial security net?
I moved when I went to college at 17 and never returned. I have a little savings and a little retirement and B. He has some savings from his legacy, but besides, I try to pay off debt while living paycheck on paycheck. But I save, so it’s not very bad.
Have you ever received passive or hereditary income? If yes, explain.
My husband received about $ 90,000 when his grandmother died and when we bought our home, his parents gave him $ 25,000 for the deposit and $ 25,000 for improvements. Dad gave me US $ 10,000 and my mom gave us US $ 5,000. When my step died, my mom paid for my car, our credit cards and gave me some money she had left (the total was about $ 25,000). He said he wanted $ 5,000 to be special to go on vacation (which we did, we used it to go to Florida, rent a car and drive from Miami to Key West for B. B. One year). Our parents also paid half of our destination wedding in 2017 with a total of about $ 20,000.
