My parents are (and have always been) hardworking people – high school grads who found their way into trades and built a life in the working class. My sister and I were always supported by them (we were incredibly lucky for their focus on our development). However, they also relied heavily upon the same money practices as many Boomers did: when unexpected costs came up, they financed them.
This was my financial education growing up.
- Need a home? Get a mortgage.
- Can’t get one? Rent until you can.
- Need to make a big purchase for your home? Borrow against it.
- Need a car? Focus on the monthly payment, not the total cost.
- Shopping? Buy the sale – even if you don’t need it yet.
- Hit with an emergency? Lean on a credit card or a personal loan.
These weren’t just ideas – they were habits. And like many young people who looked up to their parents, I carried those same habits into my own adulthood.
My 20s: A Series of Expensive Lessons
I started building debt long before I could legally buy a drink:
- 17 – My first financed car.
- 18 – My first credit card and student loans.
- 19 – My first rent payment – and shortly after, over $8,000 in past-due rent I couldn’t cover.
- 20s – Years of rolling car loans, credit card balances, deferred student loans, and cashing out a 401(k) early just to stay afloat.
At one point, I had amassed:
- $38,000 in credit card debt
- $18,000 in student loans (and no degree)
- $19,000 in personal debt owed to my parents
- A habit of financing cars instead of buying them – always rolling in negative equity with each trade
On paper, I looked like I was doing okay. I got a good job in digital marketing in 2014 (the start of the career path I’ve been on ever since). I worked hard and slowly climbed the ladder. But financially? I was drowning in decisions I didn’t fully understand when I made them.
The Turning Point: A Letter That Changed Everything
The shift came unexpectedly – in the form of a marketing letter from SoFi that came in the mail.
In the summer of 2018, it offered me the chance to apply for a personal loan to consolidate my credit card debt. It felt like a long shot, but I applied. I got approved.
Suddenly, my $38,000 in maxed-out credit cards became one fixed loan – with a lower interest rate and a clear payoff plan. Instead of 33 years of minimum payments (and likely 3-4x the actual debt owed), I faced five years of fixed progress to make it all go back to $0.
It was a turning point – not just financially, but mentally. I stopped using my credit cards. I started understanding them. I made a budget. I built momentum.
Slow Progress, Real Change
Here’s what happened next:
- 💳 I stopped using credit cards for over a year, then slowly reintroduced them – with discipline.
- 📈 My credit score climbed rapidly.
- 🏡 I bought a modest condo six months later with a small down payment.
- 🚗 I went from a 10.5% interest car loan to 4.75%, then paid that loan off 2 years early.
- 💰 In 2024, I bought my next car in full, with cash – no loan required.
Along the way, I paid back everyone I owed:
- $8,250 to my roommate from years of past-due rent
- $18,000 in student loans
- $19,000 to my parents
- $38,000 in credit card debt (loan paid off early)
The Truth About My Journey
I made all the mistakes.
Not some.
All of them.
I borrowed too much, spent too loosely, ignored the long-term impact, and trusted in a version of “normal” that set me back for years. But through that, I learned what I needed to know about how debt works, how money really flows, and what it takes to get out from under it.
I’m not perfect – and I don’t have all the answers – but I’ve earned the clarity I have now by living through the financial chaos.
Why I Started New Financial Cents
I created this site because I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed, ashamed, or just completely lost when it comes to money.
I’m not here to judge you. I’m here to offer clear, honest guidance – from someone who’s lived it.
This site isn’t about extreme frugality or overnight success stories. It’s about understanding your options, learning from your mistakes, and building a system that works for you.
Today: Still Learning, Still Building
Today, I:
- Budget every month
- Spend only on my credit cards – but pay every statement balance in full
- Save consistently
- Live debt-free, with intention
- Keep learning, because the journey isn’t over
I’m also an early-stage entrepreneur, building this platform from the ground up. I believe in helping others find the clarity I wish I had years ago.
If you’re just starting your journey – or if you’re years in and still struggling – you’re not alone. I’ve been there. And I hope this site becomes a helpful part of your story, the way it has been for mine.
Thanks for being here. 🙏
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