Money Doesn’t Control Me Anymore

 

A Personal Finance Class Changed a Student’s Confidence and Plans for the Future 

When Dania moved to the United States from Mexico at seven years old, everything felt unfamiliar—especially school. 

“I didn’t know English,” she said. “They enrolled me in school two days after I came here, and I had to learn English while trying to keep up with all the studying and work.” 

She credits her second grade teacher for not letting her fall behind. “She really did a great job trying not to leave me behind,” Dania said. “That was really important for me.” 

But language isn’t the only challenge Dania’s family faced. 

Growing Up Paycheck to Paycheck 

Dania remembers growing up with constant financial pressure—both in Mexico and after her family moved to Texas. 

“We didn’t have the best stability when it comes to money,” she stated. “We were pretty poor.” 

When her family arrived in the U.S., money became even tighter. 

“Our philosophy with money was very bad,” Dania explained. “We didn’t have anything here. We got money, we had to buy groceries, or we had to buy clothes, school supplies—anything that was needed. So, we pretty much lived paycheck to paycheck.” 

That experience shaped how Dania thought about her future. She let money dictate her college and career choices. 

“I always thought that was the only way to live,” she said. “Money was limiting, and money was controlling me.” 

A Class That Felt Personal 

Dania heard about Foundations in Personal Finance through her economics teacher. At first, she assumed it was just another class she needed to graduate. But it wasn’t long before she realized just how impactful Foundations would be. 

“This class really made me feel like money wouldn’t control my life,” she said. “It showed me I could be free from living paycheck to paycheck—free from living the way my parents did.” 

For the first time, money felt like something she could understand and manage, not something that dictated every decision. 

“It taught me how I can live without stressing about money,” she stated. “How to not stress about whether I can afford groceries or bills this month.” 

Learning What No One Explained Before 

One of the biggest lessons for Dania was saving money—not as an idea, but as a daily practice. 

“I didn’t know that to have a good balance of money, you had to live under what you make,” she explained. “I thought I had to spend my whole paycheck because there are bills and groceries.” 

Budgeting changed how she thought about money.  

“Now I know where my money is going,” she said. “This is for bills. This is for groceries. And whatever’s left—did you save?” 

She paused and laughed. “It seems simple. But I didn’t know that was possible for the longest time.” 

Confidence for What Comes Next 

Today, Dania feels something she didn’t feel before: confidence and hope. 

“I feel very confident about my power to control my finances once I graduate,” she declared. “I don’t feel like money is controlling me anymore. I feel like I control where my money goes.” 

That confidence has reshaped her plans after high school. Dania hopes to study computer science—a goal she once believed was out of reach. 

“I always wanted to do something like making websites or games,” she said. “But I thought maybe I’d have to work the rest of my life like my parents.” 

Now, she’s changed that assumption. 

“The vision I see for my future is me being able to control my finances. That’s what I want.” 

Less Stress, More Freedom 

Dania’s story is a good reminder that students don’t enter high school as blank slates. They bring lived experiences that shape how they view everything from money and family to future goals and possibilities. 

When asked how Foundations in Personal Finance has changed her outlook, Dania didn’t hesitate. 

“It feels very free,” she said. “Less stress. A lot less stress.” 

She knows managing her money won’t always be easy. Budgeting and saving are habits she’ll have to build over time. But now Dania has the tools and a sense of direction she didn’t have before. 

“Money is not everything,” Dania explained. “You can plan. You can make mistakes. But at the end, it’s worth it because you’re going to live a less stressed life.” 

For Dania, the realization that money doesn’t have to control her isn’t just a takeaway from a class. It’s a turning point in how she sees her future. 

Are you a teacher? Help your students win with money today!