At the tender age of 13, I received my first debit card. I felt the world on my fingertips, and naively believed I was set towards financial independence. Upon reflection, this mindset was rooted in a parental practice. Growing up in a single, low-income household, my mother renounced credit cards, and I inherited her distrust. It’s unfortunate, but credit scores have historical roots in racial inequity. Consequently, it was taught as a bad practice created to harm my community. However, in my maturity, I have learned that credit is not inherently bad; rather, it requires responsibility and financial literacy to best leverage it.
At university, I still relied on my trusty debit card for all my purchases. This changed when my uncle gifted me“Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole” by Tiffany Aliche. Upon reading the book, it reframed my entire understanding of credit. Credit is not a threat but rather a tool to demonstrate your borrowing credibility. Astonished, I went to my mentors to relay my findings, and they echoed the lessons taught: credit is a vehicle to develop your credibility. If anything, using a debit card without a credit history would do more harm than good in the long run, as when the time comes to request loans or a mortgage, a nonexistent credit history would raise concerns.
Empowered, I immersed myself in financial literacy because up to this point, I had been taught to fear borrowing and establish a life on cash. I invested in multiple financial guides: Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap, I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi, and Rich AF by Vivan Tu. I realized that in my upbringing, I missed out not just credit, but numerous financial opportunities to conjure a strong financial future. I discovered a high-yielding savings account, certificates of deposit, stock, and retirement accounts. Most importantly, I realized that I have missed out on the greatest leverage for financial security: time. Shocked, I cemented a resolve to turn my financial life around and sow seeds towards security.
Since my transformative journey, I am on track for financial independence. Currently, I am in graduate school pursuing a career in biotechnology. I have established a high-yield savings account and credit cards that yield cash-back and travel perks for my regular spending. I dedicate portions of my stipend to a brokerage account and Roth IRA to establish growth accounts for large purchases and retirement. As of now, my main goal is consistent investment to leverage time towards financial growth. From my journey, I have used my newfound knowledge to share financial literacy with my community on campus.
While I have made changes for the better, how many others in my community still live in the same misinformation as I did? Consequently, I established an event, “Money Talks,” showcasing an experienced financial advisor to dismantle money myths for black students. Following this, I am planning a book club series reading through “Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole”, giving other students the book that transformed my mindset.
I am the proud example of how information can reshape one's attitude towards money; I wanted to extend the same wisdom to my peers to break free from the financial uncertainty that commonly torments our community. Today, my credit score reflects progress and my personal development. Building credit means building more opportunities. As I continue my financial journey, I am committed to bringing my community with me so that credit can become a tool to harness, not fear.
The Value of Every Yen:
Living in Kyoto, Japan, I had to learn from the very beginning how to manage money differently than in the United States. Japan is a largely cash-based society, which was a striking adjustment compared to America’s card-centered system. Every time I bought food, medicine, or train tickets, I had to physically hand over yen, rather than swiping a card and forgetting about the transaction. At first, this felt inconvenient, but over time it taught me an important lesson: when you see your money leave your hand, you become much more mindful about how you spend it. This experience shaped how I now think about financial responsibility and my long-term goals.
Building credit early is important to me because I know it lays the foundation for my financial independence. Good credit is not just about borrowing money; it determines access to housing, opportunities for business, and the ability to invest in the future. I want to make sure that when I am ready to pursue graduate school, work abroad, or even start a business, I have the stability and trust that strong credit provides. For me, building credit is also about freedom. The freedom to make choices without being limited by poor planning or financial missteps.
One smart money move I have made is learning to budget carefully while living overseas. As a student in Kyoto, I didn’t have the luxury of calling home for extra money whenever things got tight. Instead, I learned to plan ahead, set aside enough cash for essentials like transportation and groceries, and only then decide what was left for exploring the city or traveling. This habit of prioritizing needs before wants has stayed with me, and it is something I know will serve me throughout my life.
Another financial lesson I’ve learned the hard way is how quickly “small” purchases add up. In Japan, convenience stores are everywhere, and it’s tempting to stop in for a snack or a drink without thinking. At one point, I realized that those casual, frequent stops were quietly draining my budget. That realization was humbling, but it made me more intentional about tracking my spending and asking myself whether a purchase aligned with my bigger goals. Now, I’m much more thoughtful about what I choose to spend money on and why.
Looking toward the future, I plan to take control of my finances by continuing to build strong habits. I intend to open a credit card soon and use it responsibly to establish credit while paying it off consistently. I also plan to continue budgeting, saving, and educating myself about investments so that I can grow my money rather than simply spend it. Most importantly, I want to use money not just for myself, but in ways that allow me to help others, whether through supporting my family, contributing to causes I care about, or building a career where I can make a difference.
A little about me: I am an Asian Studies major at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, passionate about culture, human rights, and peacebuilding. I grew up in a single-parent household, and my mother’s strength and sacrifices have inspired me to work hard and dream big. What motivates me most is the desire to live a life of purpose, one where I use my talents, education, and opportunities to create a kinder and more understanding world. Building a solid financial foundation is part of that vision, because I believe that true independence means being able to pursue your dreams without being held back by financial barriers.
