i didn’t grow up with a financial safety net, and for a long time that shaped everything — how i worked, how i spent, how i made decisions, and how much pressure i put on myself to “figure it out.”

i didn’t feel like i could dream big or chase passion.
i needed to feel financially safe first.

my journey started where a lot of people’s do:

• small-town, middle-class ohio upbringing

• no real financial education

• six-figures of student loan debt (combined with my husband)

• a desire to enjoy my life now, not shrink it to be debt-free as fast as possible

• a deep fear of investing, even though i knew long-term wealth mattered

what i couldn’t find back then was a mentor who understood where i was coming from.

i didn’t just need career advice.
i didn’t just need a budget.
i needed someone who:

• understood what it’s like to start without financial security

• could help me negotiate higher pay and advocate for myself

• could talk through when it made sense to leave a job for more money — and when staying put a little longer was the smarter long-term move

• could help me build financial safety first, while still planning for more

• could teach me how to invest in a way that felt grounded, not overwhelming

• could help me move from scarcity and survival mode to confidence and alignment

instead, i pieced things together from the internet, personal experience, and a lot of trial and error — personalizing what worked and letting go of what didn’t.

eventually, i got here:
a place of financial stability, clarity, and trust in myself.
a life that feels aligned with my values.
a relationship with money that supports me instead of stressing me out.

a value savvy life was born from that process.

today, i share my own imperfect journey — along with practical, shame-free, guilt-free tools — on tiktok, instagram, and substack. this space is about using money as the tool it is to live intentionally, not perfectly.

and for those who want deeper support, i offer one-on-one coaching that’s meant to feel more like mentorship — the kind i wish i had when i was starting out.

if you’re ready to build financial safety, advocate for yourself, and create a life that aligns with your values (without doing it alone), i’d love to support you.