Industry: Tech
Age: 25
Location: Atlanta, GA
Salary: $36,000
Joint Income/Financial Setup:
Assets:
401(k): $69,000
HYSA: $12,500
Money Market Fund: $17,497
Roth IRA: $38,942
Debt: $3,042 (this is tentative due to an unemployment mishap)
Paycheck Amount (Weekly): $2,892.89 (This fluctuates since I work two jobs, both with varying hours)
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Monthly Expenses
Housing Costs: $0 (I currently live with my family)
Loan Payments: $0
Spotify: $12
NYT Subscription: $6
Gym Membership: $29.99
Google One: $19.99
GRE prep resource: $9.99
Therapy: $60
Claude Pro: $20
Tithe: ~$200
Car Insurance: $0 (I paid this off in full at the start of the year)
Netflix: $0 (I’m on my family’s plan)
Debt: $2,994 (credit cards)
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?
Yes — growing up in an immigrant household with a family of educated professionals, higher education was a requirement, and post-grad is the expectation. Luckily, my four-year university was covered by a state scholarship and my parents paid for the remainder and housing.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s) educate you about finances?
My parents generally talked about living below one’s means and saving aggressively. However, they didn’t really talk about investing. My brother educated me on starting an investment account when I was in college, which I’m very grateful for.
What was your first job and why did you get it?
I was an ice cream server at age 16 because I wanted to buy my own clothes and fund weekend outings with friends.
Did you worry about money growing up?
No, I grew up in an affluent household and it was a privilege to not worry about money.
Do you worry about money now?
Yes and no. Yes — because I’m unemployed for the first time in my adult life for a long stretch of time (it’s been seven months now) due to an unexpected termination. While I saved somewhat aggressively when I was employed, I’m no longer able to save and invest at the same pace, meaning I feel very behind when it comes to my personal financial goals. However, I moved back home once I lost my job, so I no longer have to worry about rent and groceries, for the most part. This was the biggest blessing I could’ve imagined as I was considering signing a lease shortly before the termination occurred.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net?
I would say age 23 — but I’m 25 and I rely on my parents as a financial safety net now. I’m forever grateful for them.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain.
Nope.
