She Strengthens

Finding My Way to Financial Stability

As someone who’s always struggled to see the big picture, I’ve often found myself lost in life’s twists and turns. Whether it’s navigating my hometown or keeping track of character relationships in a TV show, I’ve learned to adapt to the unknown. But when it comes to my finances, I’ve realized that having a clear plan is crucial.

A Gap Year Gone Wrong

After graduating from college, I thought I had it all figured out. I’d take a gap year, work, apply to grad schools, and support myself. But life had other plans. I ended up quitting my job, moving back in with my parents, and getting rejected from every grad school I applied to. My anxiety and depression worsened, and I felt like I’d failed miserably.

Playing It by Ear

From then on, I decided to play life by ear, including my finances. I paid my bills on time, but I didn’t prioritize saving. I thought I could figure it out as I went along. But as I entered my twenties, I realized that financial stability requires a long-term vision.

The Importance of Planning

When you’re struggling to make ends meet, you need a plan. You need a plan for your emergency fund, your budget, and your debt. You need to think about your long-term goals, like buying a house or paying off student loans. It’s overwhelming, but it’s essential.

My Emergency Fund Journey

I started building my emergency fund, but I didn’t have a clear goal in mind. I was just saving for the sake of saving. Then, I bought a car and had to pause my savings progress. Later, I moved into my own apartment and had to dip into my savings again. It was frustrating, but I realized that I needed a concrete plan.

A Real Plan

Recently, I decided on a specific number for my emergency fund. I’m close to reaching it, and then I’ll focus on paying off my undergraduate loans. After that, I’ll build up my savings again to work towards owning a home. Having a tangible plan feels amazing.

Lessons Learned

I’ve learned that making long-term plans is crucial, even if they might not work out exactly as planned. Life is unpredictable, and things will happen that throw us off course. But having a plan gives us hope and direction. I’m still learning to see the big picture, but I’m getting there.