Growing up in a single low-income household, I never received any formal education on money management. My mother, who struggled to hold onto money herself, did her best to provide for my family, but financial stability was always a challenge. As a first-generation college student, I had to learn about money management on my own, without any positive role models to guide me. However, one of the best pieces of financial advice I ever received came from my mom, and it has had a profound impact on my life. She told me that the key to financial stability was to live below my means. At first, I didn't really understand what she meant, but as I grew older and faced my own financial struggles, her words started to make more sense. Living below my means spending less than I earn, being intentional with my spending, and prioritizing my financial goals. This advice has been invaluable to me in helping me get back on track and work toward financial stability. When I entered college, I found myself struggling with impulse control when it came to spending. I maxed out my credit cards, depleted my savings and checking accounts, and found myself in tough financial situations frequently. Along with poor spending habits, I developed anxiety over my finances. As I began to accumulate debt and struggle to make ends meet, I would constantly worry about money. I would check my bank account obsessively, constantly worry about unexpected expenses, and feel immense stress every time I had to pay a bill. This anxiety was exhausting and detrimental to my mental health. It took a significant toll on my quality of life and my ability to focus on my studies and personal goals. As I began to implement my mom's advice and attend therapy, I found that my anxiety surrounding finances began to lessen. It wasn't an overnight change, but I gradually began to feel more in control of my financial situation. I started by creating a budget and tracking my expenses. I followed money management accounts on social media. I wrote down all of my monthly expenses, including, utilities, groceries, and other necessary bills. I also set aside a portion of my income for savings and an emergency fund. This budget helped me identify areas where I could cut back on my spending. One of the biggest changes I made was cutting back on my discretionary spending. I stopped eating out as often and started cooking more meals at home. I also stopped buying clothes and other unnecessary items and started shopping at thrift stores instead. By making these changes, I was able to save a significant amount of money each month and put it toward paying off my debt. However, living below my means was not an easy task. It required a lot of self-discipline and a change in mindset. I had to learn to differentiate between my needs and wants and prioritize the former. I also had to be comfortable with saying no to things that were not within my budget. Through this journey, I have learned the importance of being mindful of my spending habits. It is easy to fall into the trap of consumerism and impulse buying, especially when there are so many things fighting for our attention. However, living below my means has helped me develop better impulse control when it comes to spending. Instead of making impulsive purchases, I started asking myself if I really needed the item or if it was just a want. This helped me become more mindful of my spending habits and make better financial decisions. Another benefit of living below my means is that it has allowed me to be more flexible with my career choices. Rather than feeling tied to a high-paying job that I hate just because it pays well, I am able to pursue opportunities that align with my passions and values, even if they don't pay as much. In addition to my mother's advice, I have also found guidance in the Bible. This verse "Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless." is taken from Ecclesiastes 5:10. It reminds me that the pursuit of money and wealth can never truly satisfy us. Instead, we should focus on being content with what we have and avoiding unnecessary spending. Living below my means is a mindset that I hope to carry with me throughout my life and one that I will continue to share with others who may be in similar situations. It's a simple yet powerful principle that has helped me on my journey to achieve financial stability and find peace of mind in my finances.