Student story · No budget
Addie, age 28
Addie never kept track of her spending in college. Ten years later, the small leaks have grown into a big mess.
Where Addie is now
- • $14,000 in credit card debt at 22% interest. The smallest payments barely lower what she owes.
- • $0 saved up for emergencies. A flat tire becomes a new credit card charge.
- • Took the first job that came along because she could not afford to wait for a better one.
- • Does not like opening her bank app. Money feels scary.
How it happened
In college, Addie's spending felt small. $8 lunches, a $15 streaming bundle, late night Ubers. She had a part time job, so money kept coming in until it didn't quite cover everything. A credit card filled the gap, then another.
Without a budget, she had no way to see what was happening. Each month felt like an emergency, but it was really the same slow leak happening again and again.
Don't be Addie.
A first budget takes 15 minutes and could save you years of stress.