Catching up with Rosie- 08-09 Savings Challenge Finalist

We recently caught up with Rosie, a 08-09 SMHS Savings Challenge finalist. She graduated at the end of this past school year and is currently working two jobs. She plans to start courses at Austin Community College (ACC) within the next two months.

During the challenge, Rosie’s goal changed from saving money for her 18th birthday, to saving enough money to help her mom and her move into a place of their own. She was trying save at least $1000. Although she didn’t achieve her goal by the end of the challenge, she continued and was able to use the money she had saved for half of a down payment for an apartment and to start utilities in the new place.

Rosie has taken a lot from the challenge. She actually started taking care of how she spends her money, and now, she is saving for a car. If she ever has a little extra time, she will crack open her NEFE financial book and do a few lessons on her own.

“This was the turning point in my financial life. I would say I have my spending down to a science.” She pays herself first, as she learned from the financial classes and her A+ mentors, then she pays her bills, and finally, she saves the rest in a separate savings to purchase a car.

She says the best part of being a finalist was interacting in the meetings with her coach and learning about credit and other things she probably wouldn’t have learned elsewhere. She really enjoyed working with her coach and having help with the things she didn’t understand.

To the current finalists, she recommends paying attention in the meetings with their coaches and in the financial education classes.

“Don’t put off saving your money and cut down on the impulse buying. Listen to what your coach says and take the advice given to you.”