From Immigrant Roots to Financial Peace

Hi, I’m Lizeth. I want to share my money journey not just to tell you how I went from growing up with very little to becoming a financially secure Latina, but to show you what’s possible—especially if you’re the first in your family trying to break the cycle of poverty.

Humble Beginnings: From Cali, Colombia to the U.S.

My journey began in a small, rented room in Cali, Colombia. My parents didn’t have professions or careers. They worked odd jobs to keep things going. When I was just three years old, they separated, and I had to go live with a family friend while my mom tried to find new work opportunities in a different city and establish herself.

I was raised by a single mom, and I learned early on that I needed to help out and that we were a team. My mom gave everything she could. If she had it, she gave it. And if she didn’t, she somehow found a way.

In 2001, we immigrated to the United States with little more than a dream and a prayer. Life changed instantly. I had to adapt to a new language, a new system, and a new culture. I focused on school and earned a full scholarship to college. But like many of you know, “full” doesn’t always mean everything—I ultimately took out loans to cover summer classes that I needed to take.

Early Lessons Around Money: Scarcity & Survival

College was the first time I started to manage money. At home, we had a strong sense of community and sharing. Phrases like “Es mejor tener amigos que dinero” and “Cuando uno se muere no se lleva nada” defined our relationship with money. We didn’t idolize money—we prioritized people.

That mindset clashed hard with the American reality: this is a capitalist system. Here, money is not just a resource—it’s an important tool that gives you access, power, and choices. So naturally, I became ultra-focused on “getting it right.” Studying something I could be almost certain would lead to a job so that I could take care of myself. When I talked to other students on campus, and they had no idea how they would use their degree, that felt SO alien to me. I had one mission: to graduate with a high-paying job and use my scholarship as my opportunity out of poverty. I was terrified of ending up broke, because the reality was I had no safety net. 

The First Big Decision: Pivoting From Pre-Med to Engineering

Like many first-gen Latinas, I felt pressure to pursue a known, well-paying career. I originally entered college as pre-med, inspired by my volunteer work at our local hospital, and dreamed of becoming an anesthesiologist. But during pre-med orientation, they broke down the cost of medical school: at the time $500k+. That number stopped me in my tracks.

I knew debt. I knew fear it. And I wasn’t about to sign away my life. I quickly found the exit and knew that was the end of my medical school aspirations. I pivoted to engineering—a practical path with good income potential. My decision wasn’t based on passion—it was based on survival. I was trying to ensure that I could take care of myself and maybe be in a position to help my mom. These are valid reasons, and if you’re in that boat, I see you.

Getting Out of Debt: The Start of Real Freedom

In 2014, I took the Financial Peace University class by Ramsey, and I realized how much of a burden I was carrying with my student loan, credit card debt, and car loan. I quickly took action and began paying down my debt, and started my journey to learn about personal finance.

That was one of many beginnings because after I got out of debt, I inflated my lifestyle and even purchased a $4,500 Tiffany necklace – worst purchase ever. These decisions were emotionally driven, not intentional. I thought I had arrived and could finally begin living within my means—but I was avoiding reflection and understanding my dreams. Well, no one had ever taught me or shown me how to dream, and I had to start learning how to do it on my own, one step at a time. 

The Mistakes That Taught Me the Most

My money journey isn’t about all wins. I’ve made some embarrassing financial decisions—like dropping $10K on laser hair removal that didn’t work or $7,500 on an options trading course I never used. But these experiences taught me two things:

1. Marketing can give you a very strong why that you never even thought about.
2. Just because you can afford something doesn’t mean it’s aligned with your values or your dreams.

It wasn’t until I started asking better questions—about values, impact, and wealth—that my financial journey evolved from surviving life to achieving freedom and economic independence.

Reframing Wealth: Beyond Paying Bills

I once believed money would solve everything. Once I had enough, all my problems would disappear. But money only solves money problems. Emotional, spiritual, and relational problems need different tools.

As I grew more financially secure, I had to face a deeper truth: happiness doesn’t come from hitting money milestones. I now realize that wealth without self-reflection can still feel very similar to poverty.
And the reality for many of us on this path is that we are healing while building. That’s why your money journey is about more than numbers; it’s about the journey, the mindset, and everything in between.

Discovering FI (Financial Independence)

For a long time, I dismissed the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement. Retiring early felt like a fantasy for someone like me—an immigrant Latina who grew up thinking that you work until you physically can’t.

But have learned that financial independence isn’t a switch you flip one day. It’s a journey and is achievable. It starts with getting out of debt, building an emergency fund, and investing consistently. 

Living Below Your Means: The True Wealth Habit

Living below your means is how wealth gets built. Whether you’re just starting, financially secure, or have achieved financial independence, the principle stays the same: you must live with less income than what comes in. Otherwise, you enter into debt and poverty cycles that are difficult to escape.

 When I was broke, it meant skipping takeout. Now, it means thinking twice before upgrading my car, and to be honest, even now, I have a hard time justifying going out to the movies or eating out.

 There is an opportunity cost to every dollar. My default now is that if I invest $1 today, that could be so much more in 30 years. It’s not about deprivation, but it has given me a whole new perspective. 

Living Below Your Means: The True Wealth Habit

Living below your means is how wealth gets built. Whether you’re just starting, financially secure, or have achieved financial independence, the principle stays the same: you must live with less income than what comes in. Otherwise, you enter into debt and poverty cycles that are difficult to escape.

 When I was broke, it meant skipping takeout. Now, it means thinking twice before upgrading my car, and to be honest, even now, I have a hard time justifying going out to the movies or eating out.

 There is an opportunity cost to every dollar. My default now is that if I invest $1 today, that could be so much more in 30 years. It’s not about deprivation, but it has given me a whole new perspective. 

Giving Back and Breaking the Cycle

I’m a personal finance coach because I believe our community needs to do better to achieve the prosperity we came here looking for. We need to learn about our economic system to benefit from it. It is a skill and we can learn it, but sometimes we just don’t know how to get started or stay on track, and that is why Latinas and Money exist.

 If you’re reading this and you’ve ever felt ashamed, behind, or overwhelmed on your money journey—I want you to know:

• You’re not alone.
• The world is full of possibilities, and you can choose a new path today.

You and I can be part of a generation that breaks cycles and sets a whole new role model for the next generation. 

Ready to Start Your Money Journey?