Overcoming Debt, Achieving Financial Freedom

Preface

In 2015, I graduated law school with honors and a job offer at a top national law firm. As the daughter of immigrants, from a low‐income community in the Bronx, these accomplishments were reflective of my commitment to honor my parents’ sacrifices and goal of achieving the American Dream. These milestones also surely held the key to financial success and security, right? Not necessarily.

My fancy law degree and new job could not mask my deep financial insecurities. I had $215,000 of debt, which consisted of $13,000 in credit card debt and $202,000 in student loans. I had little to no confidence in how I was managing my money. I didn't understand why my credit card balance continued to increase despite my timely payments. I was unaware that most of my payments to my student loans were going to the tens of thousands of dollars in accrued interest rather than the loans’ principal. I didn't know how to save for life's big expenses like a wedding or a down payment on a home … and don't even get me started on how clueless I was about investing.

Conversations about money, specifically debt, were uncommon and uncomfortable to have with family and friends, so I turned to books, podcasts, and the internet. My quest to become financially literate exposed me to a new world full of knowledge, strategies, guidance, and support that I desperately craved. I learned how to create a plan to pay off my six‐figure debt, which included targeted monthly payment amounts and even a goal debt‐free ...