Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here … my name is Ashley and I’m the creator behind HerDinero.com. Consider this your chill, happy hour lounge on the web where we’ll dish about all things MONEY.
Does that word make you feel weird? Believe me, I get it.
See, for the last decade or so I have been trying to become besties with money. I’ve also been doing the work to un-program my ideas about money and lack thereof. Good times.
As a child, money always seemed like this elusive thing we never had enough of — that hightailed it outta our house even before pay day hit.
I was a skinny, insecure, nerdy Mexican-American girl growing up in a sleepy North Florida beach town jokingly dubbed the “Redneck Riviera.” My grandparents were migrant farm workers turned boat manufacturers. My dad worked hard in the brutal Florida sun as a construction worker, and my mom walked thousands of steps each day up and down long, sterile hospital corridors as a nurse. I knew that hard work was inevitable for anything worth having.
We were a humble, church-going family and money was simply a “no-no” to talk about. We were just happy and thankful to be working. Growing up, I thought only affluent men knew about money … like it was a fraternity I could never join. I felt that money couldn’t buy happiness, and that being so preoccupied with money made you greedy or shallow or worse (clutching my pearls) – a bad person.
I was convinced that money was the root of all evil, that being overly concerned about it meant I had little faith, and that being poor could actually help you get in better with God. I didn’t long to be rich. I just wanted to be comfortable. I didn’t want my parents to stress about money.
I felt shame for not having money, and guilt for wanting more of it.
MY MONEY STORY
I have made A LOT of dumb mistakes with money. For example, even though I worked two jobs during college, my 19-year-old self-thought it was no biggie to sign up for a credit card just to get some free J.Lo-style sunglasses. Then when financial aid would drop, I felt “pretend rich” and would “treat” my friends to dinner and offer to drive my car for little road trips. I had NO business playing baller with borrowed money!
Y’all … I know what it’s like to battle student loan debt, and feel suffocated under the weight of relentless credit card debt. I know what it’s like to get laid off, fight through a short sale and watch helplessly as your credit score takes an Olympic-style plunge. I know what it’s like to lie awake worried about money and wake up with a chipped front tooth because of stress grinding. I know what it’s like to yell through hot, salty tears at your spouse during a money spat … and feel so trapped in a hated job that you can’t leave because of your crushing debt.
Over the years, I have worked a variety of jobs – newspaper reporter, magazine editor, technical writer, marketing manager, public relations practitioner, freelance writer, social media strategist, and digital marketing agency owner. At one point, I looked around and realized that I was working like a crazed hamster running and running and getting … nowhere. Working like a dog with little to show for it.
“Women with money and women in power are two uncomfortable ideas in our society.”
I started researching about personal finance. I started learning about the causes of the Great Recession and about the business models of the credit card, student loan, and predatory lending industries.
Then I got mad.
Naw, not just mad …
I got flip-these-damn-tables, throw-it-all-away, burn-this-ish-down furious … at myself. I decided right then and there to NEVER allow myself to be in this position ever again. I became determined to learn about money. I wanted to learn the system and live differently so I don’t have to wait until I am 65 to start living. Along the way, I started learning about frugality, minimalism and FIRE. I even went through a coupon obsession. Now, I want to share what I’ve learned and what I’m continuing to learn with you …
WHAT YOU’LL FIND HERE
HerDinero is all about stories and resources to empower smart, ambitious young women to finally take control of their finances. We’ll chat about …
- All Things Money: We’ll explore everything from must-know personal finance basics, to strategies for paying off soul-stealing debt, to ways to save more of your hard-earned cash.
- Entrepreneurship: I’ll share lessons I have learned about building and growing businesses and techniques to unleash the power of entrepreneurship to make more dolla billz than you ever dreamed possible –whether you work for someone or have a venture.
- Mental Wealth: It all starts in your mind, Sister, and we may have to do some soul healing and mindset shifting on this prosperity journey.
Do I have all the answers? Not even close. I am not a financial planner, CPA, investment banker … Nothing like that.
But I am a fierce wife and mama of two (with one on the way) who is on a mission to change my family tree. I’ve paid down tens of thousands of dollars in debt. I grew a million-dollar business from my kitchen table. I have been BROKE and I have made money. I am going to keep it real with you. Expect equal parts compassion balanced with straight-up tough love.
I have learned this for sure — no one is coming to save us. We must save ourselves.
I am on fire to learn this stuff. And I’m inviting you along for the ride. Buckle up!