The reason I am so passionate about teaching financial literacy is that it is actually life changing for people. Once you know how to use money as a tool, you can open up possibilities that you never thought possible. 

So many people don't get started because they think they are bad at money or they think it is too confusing. They go on just trying to get by. They feel like living paycheck to paycheck is the only option.

Spoiler alert: It is not! 

I was there once there too. I had student loans and a car loan to the tune of $40k. I was in a very stressful job working 80 hour weeks - making $30k. After 3 years, I got to the point where I just couldn't do it anymore. I was forced to leave my job with $2k in the bank and it was a very scary time. I had debt payments and rent payments with no other savings or emergency fund to fall back on. Looking back, it was the wakeup call I needed. 

It was that moment that I committed to learning everything about personal finance and to create financial systems that would allow me to never be in this position. Once I landed my new job, I put these systems in place and my life never looked the same. 

Not only did I learn how to create an emergency fund and where to keep that money, but I learned about the power of compound interest and how much this money could grow over time. I realized that even if I wasn't making a ton of money, the small amounts I could invest would grow. I had time on my side and I had to get intentional with how I was using my money. 

I used a strategy of reverse budgeting where I would ensure I was paying my future self, saving for my goals and paying my essential bills as a top priority. I knew exactly what I needed to be saving and investing every month and what that left me with. It made me want to learn more about money and building wealth because I could see what an impact these strategies were having on my life. 

Money is a fundamental part of all of our lives, affecting everything from our daily choices to our long-term goals. Yet, so many people struggle with financial literacy, leading to stress, anxiety, and missed opportunities. It is so easy to let money control you and then you are subject to whatever is leftover in your bank account at the end of the month but when you understand how it all works and what is possible - everything changes.

Here are 5 ways financial literacy changed my life and how it can change your life too: 

1. Informed decision making: Once you understand financial concepts, you can make informed decisions when it comes to saving, investing and borrowing money. You will be able to understand the trade-offs when it comes to where you should be putting your money and how much you should put there. You can't afford to leave it to chance. Financial literacy will ensure you are making the right financial decisions to support your values, goals and priorities. 
2. Reduced stress: This is a huge one - so much of financial stress is due to a lack of education. Taking the time to understand your numbers and how to get into a better financial situation can greatly reduce stress and money anxiety. 
3. Long term success: Learning financial literacy skills in your 20s can set you up for success in later life. It is easy to put it off but time is a critical factor and the sooner you start, the better. Did you know that if you start investing at age 25 and contribute $471 a month - that could turn into $1M by the age of 65. However, not starting until age 35 means you need to save $882 a month to hit that same saving goal of $1M. Yes, that my friend is the power of compound interest!
4. Security & stability: Don’t put yourself at risk in the event of a layoff or illness. I shared earlier about being forced to leave a stressful job and it was extremely risky as I have nothing to fall back on. It is so important to ensure you have an emergency fund providing that security and stability before you start investing. 
5. Quality of live: Financial health can impact your overall well being. It can improve relationships and open up options for how you live your life. I was able to take a career break this summer to spend time with my girls before they head into kindergarten - something only possible because of my financial choices early on. 

Ready to take control of your financial future? Start by learning the basics of budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management. With the right knowledge and tools, you can achieve financial freedom and live the life you deserve.