What were your first experiences with money?
Since I can remember, my mother always had me take half of my birthday money and put it into my bank account. I continued this habit starting with my working days when I babysat in my teens making pennies, and continuing all throughout my young adulthood. Once I landed my first real corporate job and started building up my savings, I felt a sense of power and pride.
What were the key messages around money that your family instilled in you?
My family etched in me that money should be respected and it was not always about how much you made but how much you saved. As my mother always said, “There’s no dollar without a penny.” My parents immigrated to the USA without a dollar to their name and had to take odd jobs just to survive. They respected the money they made and always made sure to save, even if it meant cutting back. My mother had taught me that as a woman, it is vital to be financially independent as that opens so many doors. This has provided me with an inner confidence and determination that made me successful.
What is your current relationship with money like?
With every paycheck I receive, I pay myself first, meaning I put a portion away in savings automatically, that is not to be touched or used as liquid. I respect money and don’t take for granted its immense power. As a mother, I want my children to understand the value of a dollar and the work that goes into building up a reserve.
As a business owner, running Symbol Training Institute, I’m well aware of the ebbs and flows of the business and the cycle of our cash flow. I always remember to save money for a rainy day. It helps during the lean times and keeps me focused on my passions and goals rather than desperation. It makes for better long-term business decisions.