As I get older, I start to realize how much of my childhood I have repressed. Helping my mom light candles around the house when we couldn't afford the electricity bill. Going to my next door neighbors house so I could take a warm bath because our water was ice cold. Once losing our house, moving from hotel to homeless shelter until we finally got on our feet. I want to distance myself as much as possible from these experiences I had, but the truth is, they're part of who I am. And ever since I could, I have been taking every opportunity given to me to make money. I remember mowing lawns all summer every summer so I could buy the new toy or video game I wanted. I learned how to be smart with money from a young age. When I turned 16, I got a job at a local restaurant and began saving for a car immediately. I know how important good financial habits are, and the older I get the more I see how dangerous life can be if you don't spend your money wisely. Over the years, I have been sure to only spend my money when I need to, or when it will make memories, such as trips or concerts. Other than that, I have been saving ever since I made the decision I wanted to go to college. I know that post high school education is a significant financial burden, and as soon as I learned about scholarships I have been hard at work finding every single one I qualify for and applying. I want to get as much free money as I possibly can to avoid putting further financial pressure on my family and on me in the future as well. I want my children to never have to experience the things I did. Although my past was difficult, I am also grateful that it happened. I learned so much about money and how to use it, information that I can clearly see some of my peers lacking. I know that this information I have will greatly assist me not only in college, but in my future as well. This summer before my freshman year of college, I am planning on continuing to save as much as I can from my job, to require the smallest amount of loans possible. I also plan on finding other opportunities such as scholarships to help pay for my education. Thank you so much for reading and considering me for the ScoreNavigator Financial Literacy Scholarship.