Welcome to Lizsfijourney: An Introduction
I started Lizsfijourney on Instagram in January of 2023. Six months later, I decided to start writing long-form content in the form of this blog. Fitting for my first post, I’d like to introduce who I am!
The Fundamentals
If you follow me on Instagram, you might already know the basics about me.
- I recently turned 24
- I have a dual degree in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
- I currently have a negative net worth from student loans
- I live in Massachusetts
- I make about $50,000 a year
While these insights give you a broad look at who I am, I want to share a more personal look into my life.
A More Personal Look
Why I seek financial independence:
I seek financial independence so that I can live life work-optional in the future. I have experienced and currently am in debt from higher education loans. I enjoy the feeling of having money set aside for my future self and have become fascinated by the financial independence retire early (FIRE) movement. After joining Instagram in January 2023, I have found a community of like-minded individuals who support each other on their financial independence journey.
As someone with a background in psychology, I truly enjoy delving further into money habits and why individuals make the choices they do regarding finances. I believe a lot of someone’s financial future is changeable depending on the habits someone adopts and the information they have access to. I want to continually learn more about and grow in my own personal finance journey, and share the resources I gather along the way to help others grow alongside me.
My financial privileges
I grew up in a financially stable position and would consider my family finances as upper middle class. Because of this, I had access to a quality education and opportunities that others may not have had. I had opportunities for private music lessons, and went to a public school with access to advanced placement (AP) classes that gave me a step up when it came to applying to a quality college program.
I’m open to continually learning about my own privilege and understanding the ways in which my typical has been atypical to those with less opportunities.
My money memories as a kid
I was ‘taught’ implicitly at a young age that money is not to be wasted and that living frugally is necessary. Because of this, I grew up in a home that would not heat our home in the winter past 62 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius). Instead, we would wear layers and hats and sometimes even gloves inside in the winter months. Living in this extreme environment due to a parent’s stingy-ness and frugality impacted my views on finances.
This led to me as a young twenty-something fighting against a scarcity mindset that even when I have money, I typically don’t spend it even if it would improve my current quality of life. Learning to work against this is a constant battle and now I work towards living a life in which money is a tool for improving and balancing my future and my current happiness.
What you can expect from me
- Authentic personal financial lessons, goals, and habits
- Simplified and accessible language and info
- Resources for your own FI journey
Thank you for being here!
I have really enjoyed the creativity and challenge of putting my time and effort into growing the community that I have thus far on the Instagram debt free and financial independence community. I never imagined the support I would encounter from strangers, but the community and willingness to help each other and support each other as we grow is something I’m passionate about contributing to. Thank you for being here, and welcome to the community!