She Strengthens

Meet Shammara Lawrence, Our New Editorial Assistant

I’m thrilled to introduce you to Shammara Lawrence, our newest team member! As a long-time fan of our community, Shammara has already fit in seamlessly with her enthusiasm and warm personality. With a background in beauty and lifestyle writing, she’ll be assisting with our editorial process and contributing her own articles.

Getting to Know Shammara

Before joining our team, Shammara worked as the digital editorial assistant to Phillip Picardi, the then-digital director of Allure & Teen Vogue. She’s a lifelong New Yorker and has a passion for helping others live their best lives. We’re excited to have her on board!

Shammara’s Financial Journey

We asked Shammara to share her thoughts on money and her experiences with our 10 Big Money Questions. Here’s what she had to say:

Growing Up with Money

Shammara grew up in a low-income household in New York City, where money was a constant struggle. She never had a surplus to save, and her mom’s financial decisions often prioritized short-term happiness over long-term security. This shaped her initial views on money as purely for survival, rather than a tool for creating a fulfilling life.

Learning About Money

Shammara never received formal education on personal finance, but she learned from her mom’s mistakes. She realized that material possessions can bring temporary joy, but they don’t address the underlying issues. Today, she wishes she had known more about balancing a checkbook, savings accounts, and investments.

Paying Off Debt

Shammara uses the debt snowball strategy, focusing on paying off her smallest debts first. She’s currently tackling her credit card debt and will soon move on to her student loans. This approach gives her a sense of immediate satisfaction and motivation.

Career Path

Shammara’s passion for beauty and lifestyle writing led her to become the digital editorial assistant to Phillip Picardi. She contributed to Allure & Teen Vogue and discovered her love for the industry. Today, she’s our editorial assistant and a freelance writer, always looking for new opportunities.

Negotiating for Herself

Shammara admits she’s not great at negotiating, often feeling grateful for job offers and hesitant to ask for more. However, with encouragement from friends, she recently negotiated an extra $100 for an article in a major publication. It was a proud moment for her!

Money Epiphanies

Shammara believes that many savings advice strategies are unrealistic, especially for those living in poverty or struggling to make ends meet. She only started saving meaningfully a couple of months ago, after prioritizing her basic needs. She wishes she had understood the importance of savings earlier, but acknowledges that it’s not always possible.

Biggest Money Mistake

Shammara’s biggest financial mistake was spending around $3,000 on food over six months due to a binge-eating disorder. She learned that addictions can develop quickly and that seeking help is essential. Today, she’s paying off her credit card debt and prioritizing her emotional well-being.

Financial Goals

Shammara dreams of living in a European city, preferably London, in her late twenties. She’s working on creating a concrete budget to make this goal a reality.

Dealing with Setbacks

When faced with financial setbacks, Shammara allows herself to feel emotions, then reassesses her budget and cuts back on unnecessary expenses. If needed, she finds side hustles to regain her financial footing.

Defining Success

For Shammara, success means being genuinely happy with all aspects of life, from career to relationships. It’s about living a fulfilling life, affording necessities, and enjoying occasional splurges. While she hasn’t achieved “success” yet, she’s working towards it every day, recognizing that success looks different for everyone and can change over time.