Welcome to Money Philosophy, where we’re unpacking the personal, emotional, and cultural forces that shape how Gen Z women think about money. We’re asking real women to reflect on the why behind their financial decisions—not just the what.
Today: a 23-year-old who turned to entrepreneurship after being laid off 5 months into her new grad job. In this conversation, she reflects on walking away from a higher-paying job offer for a politically misaligned employer to pursue more fulfilling work, rethinking security and risk, and learning to trust her instincts—even when her bank account feels uncertain.
Age: 23
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Industry: Tech / Consulting
Current Income: $3,000–$6,000/month (consulting)
Former Salary: $100,000/year
Net Worth: ~$5,000
Debt: $0
That mindset has shifted how I move through the world. My family wasn’t wealthy, but I always knew they’d support me. I had a safety net, and I’ve come to appreciate just how rare and valuable that is.
When you think about money, what comes to mind first?
Hmm, I think support is probably what comes to mind. Basically taking care of myself and the people I love. This perspective is fairly recent though and has definitely evolved over time, especially after entering the real world and becoming a “working girl” with real money —plus the real bills and responsibilities that come with that. Now that I pay my own rent and handle everything on my own, I think my relationship with money has really started to solidify.
While I was growing up, though, I associated money more with stress than anything else. I saw my parents, friends, their families worrying a lot about it so I kind of started to worry about it too. But over time, I began to see the flip side of that a bit more.
What was your first job and what did it teach you about money?
I never really had an official job; I kind of just did odd jobs at church when I was younger. I was also a Girl Scout and while we didn’t get paid, we raised money for trips.
I guess my first real paid job was at a small nature shop in my hometown when I was 17 or 18. That’s where I first saw the stress of managing a small business and the different ways people deal with money. One of my coworkers came from a pretty wealthy family that made a point of not helping her out at all financially—and it really shaped her worldview. I realized how much peace of mind my own family’s steady, middle-of-the-road approach had given me.
Do you currently support anyone financially?
Nope, just me.
I know if I had kids right now they would 1000% change my financial priorities . If I had someone else to worry about I probably wouldn’t be so focused on saving. Though, to be honest right now saving money comes second to the things I want to do in life but it’s still high up there on my list of priorities.
I don’t mind having not so much for myself but If I had someone else to worry about, that would be a different story. I would probably have to live fist to mouth.
Have you received any passive income or financial gifts?
The closest thing is an investment account my grandfather started for me and my siblings when we were born. It wasn’t much, but it grew over time in stable stocks. My parents also saved a decent amount for us in a college fund so we could graduate debt-free.
Having that to fall back on made a huge difference. I was able to attend college on a scholarship, and knowing I wouldn’t be saddled with debt really guided my college decisions.
Part of the decision to say no to the job was also ideological. The role was at a centrist publication, and during the Israel-Palestine coverage, I noticed how their stance didn’t align with mine. That gave me pause. At first, I told myself, well, no workplace will ever fully reflect my values.
Do you think access to generational wealth shapes financial success?
A thousand percent. It’s not just the money things like financial literacy, your network, and the confidence to take risks really make an impact. When your family understands how money works, they pass down more than just assets. They pass down strategy. That’s something I’ve really come to appreciate.
What’s influenced your money philosophy the most?
A mix of personal, political, and generational experiences. I grew up in a small town, where people didn’t talk too much about money because it was kind of taboo. But I also saw how major expenses, like medical bills for my siblings, put financial pressure on my family. My parents in turn had to make a lot of sacrifices to keep us stable.
Later, when my dad got a better job, I was sent to a private high school and got introduced to a new level of wealth and all of a sudden I felt like an outsider. It was such a culture shock, I realized for the first time that there were things other people had that I couldn’t have, things like college coaches being hired to help kids get into their dream schools, parents having multiple homes and their kids getting really nice first cars. That feeling has only grown since I moved to New York but back in high school I remember blaming money for a lot of the social disconnect I felt. I also felt a bit resentful about my position in life and my college outcomes cause I kept wondering how different things might have turned out for me if I’d had the same resources as those kids. Looking back, I wish I’d let go of that resentment. It kept me from connecting with people who were different from me.
To add to this, I’d also started college during COVID. It felt like the world was ending, and honestly, it made me question everything. But that instability, in a weird, also made me feel like anything is possible. My grandfather’s father lived through the Great Depression and still chose to be optimistic and things turned out okay for him. He educated himself on the stock market by reading magazines in his armchair at night. That story kind of stuck with me and I try to think back to it during scary financial times.
What’s the most significant financial decision you’ve made so far?
The obvious answer is college. I made a pretty unconventional choice and one that my parents weren’t huge fans of cause at the time there was a good chance I may have needed to take on tens of thousands of dollars in student debt, instead of just taking a full ride offer I’d gotten and saving my college fund for the future. Thankfully I was able to get scholarships and avoid any student debt so it didn’t end up mattering. I’m pretty glad I can look back on that decision favourably.
More recently, I had to make another major decision. After losing my last job, literally 5 months into starting it, I was offered a new one that paid $20,000 more and came with a higher title. It was essentially the next logical step in my industry. But I actually made the decision to turn it down.
I was honest with myself and realized it just wasn’t what I wanted anymore. Living in New York and seeing how chaotic life can be made me realize I didn’t want to put myself in a situation where I was unhappy even temporarily. The day-to-day of my previous job hadn’t fulfilled me, and when I lost it, I actually felt a little relieved to be honest. That made me realize I couldn’t keep working on someone else’s project that didn’t feel meaningful to me.
Part of the decision to say no to the job was also ideological. The role was at a centrist publication, and during the Israel-Palestine coverage, I noticed their stance didn’t align with mine at all. That gave me pause. At first, I told myself, well, no workplace will ever fully reflect my values. But eventually I realized it wasn’t about full alignment—it was about wanting to actively implement my values through my work. I wanted to build something of my own.
For most of my life I thought the most important thing I’d do would be to marry someone successful and help them build their life. I didn’t see myself as the main character in my own life which is so wild to think about now. It wasn’t until college, being far away from my roots and being surrounded by completely different women who were career-focused and ambitious in their own right, that I realized I could build something for myself too.
Was entrepreneurship something you had been considering before?
Not at all. Honestly, it wasn’t on my radar until people—like you—started asking if I’d ever thought of launching something. And I realized I hadn’t. Ever. But since then, I’ve changed so much. My perspective on money has completely transformed what I thought I could do with it, how I thought I’d get it, and the kind of life I imagined for myself.
I grew up in a very Christian environment, the kind of place with the most churches per capita in the U.S. It was common to talk about heaven, hell, and Jesus every day. That context shaped how I saw my role in the world, especially as a woman. For most of my life I thought the most important thing I’d do would be to marry someone successful and help them build their life. I didn’t see myself as the main character in my own life, which is so wild to think about now. It wasn’t until college, being far away from my roots and being surrounded by completely different women who were career-focused and ambitious in their own right, that I realized I could build something for myself too.
When I got to college, I met women my age starting their own successful startups. That blew my mind. I didn’t even realize that was an option, like girls our age founding legitimate companies and raising funds and the works. I realized I just needed someone to tell me it was okay and that it was possible.
Looking back, do you feel like turning down that job offer was the right call?
Definitely. Even though things are still up in the air, I stand by it. It’s really important that my work reflect my values, even if the future is uncertain. No amount of money would be worth going against what I stand for.
How do you decide what’s worth spending or saving on?
Honestly, I think in short timelines, like literal months ahead, not years. My philosophy is “money comes and money goes.” If I had dependents, it’d be different. I do feel pressure about potentially needing to support my family someday. But when it comes to spending now, I don’t stress much.
What do you never hesitate to spend on?
Food. Definitely food. And gifts for others. I love giving thoughtful presents. I’ll also spend on experiences, especially travel. I’m currently reworking my whole rent situation to accommodate that because I still don’t know where I’ll be living. My lease lowkey ends in a week and I’m still scrambling to find a place and not having a traditional job definitely doesn’t help matters.
Are there any financial decisions you regret?
I try not to regret anything because I did what I could with the info I had. But if I could go back, I might’ve chosen a different college and saved that money, maybe even for my future kids. That’s what my brother did, and I think it was really smart. Still, I don’t dwell on it. I was figuring life out.
What did you spend your college fund on?
Living expenses mostly. I worked throughout school, at the library, a thrift store, a research center, and used what I earned to cover rent and day-to-day costs. I don’t think any of it was frivolous, I was just learning what life costs.
I’m constantly thinking: How much do I have left? Can I stay in New York? Will I need to fly home soon? I can’t commit to a long lease. And now that I’m building something on my own, I don’t have a company writing paychecks.
What role does money play in your life right now?
It’s front and center. I’m constantly thinking: How much do I have left? Can I stay in New York? Will I need to fly home soon? I can’t commit to a long lease. And now that I’m building something on my own, I don’t have a company writing paychecks. Everything is on me. Still, money isn’t driving my decisions that much oddly enough, it’s just present in all of them. All the f*cking time.
Has social media changed how you think about money?
Lol. Yes, definitely. It opened up my worldview beyond the bubble I grew up in. I learned about different lifestyles, paths, and even inequities I wasn’t aware of. But on a broader scale, I think social media has made people more greedy? There’s so much pressure to monetize everything, to turn every situation into content or cash. I’m not a fan.
Do you feel financial comparison from social media?
Yes but I try to ignore it. Growing up on the internet helps; I’ve seen trends and hype cycles come and go. But yes, it’s designed to make you anxious and excited. That impacts how you view money.
Do you follow personal finance content online?
Not really. I go online for laughs. If I want real advice, I talk to people I trust or buy books. Though to be honest, I definitely haven’t finished a lot of the books I want to read.
Have you ever questioned your own money habits?
All the time. I often compare myself to my older brother; he’s incredibly disciplined. He’s the type who eats the same meal daily just to budget better. He’s even saving for kids he doesn’t have yet. That used to make me feel like I wasn’t doing enough. But I’ve learned to accept where I’m at and give myself grace. I’m figuring things out, and that’s okay.
I have been kind of reckless in the past though, to be honest. I once randomly received a few hundred dollars from a school refund and immediately spent it on a designer purse. I later found out I had to pay it back and ended up short. My brother couldn’t believe it. That was a wake-up call for me. I realized I had no goals for my money and wasn’t taking my future seriously.
I came out of that experience realizing I might have to build my own wealth instead of relying on a hypothetical future partner to take care of me. COVID really brought that into focus for me—the chaos made me see how vulnerable I was. Since then, I’ve become much more intentional, though still not rigid.
Do your financial decisions align with who you are?
They’re shaping who I am. Turning down that job offer changed how I see myself—I realized I’m someone who takes risks and won’t compromise on what feels right. That has power.
If money were no object, how would your life change?
I’d feel so much more peace. Even though I try not to let money drive my decisions, it’s always there, it’s just something I can never fully escape. I think I’d have 60–70% less anxiety if it weren’t a factor. I’d travel, explore the arts, try different jobs—just float through life a bit. I wouldn’t be so focused on building something.
Would your spending habits change?
Oh, definitely. I’d be booking flights, buying what I wanted—including more designer bags—without guilt. But I also think I’d give a lot of it away if I had enough. I really believe in redistribution.
What do you wish more people understood about money?
That it’s not truly yours. A friend from China once shared this idea that all people and countries are part of the same consciousness, and that what benefits one should benefit all. That stuck with me. So when someone on the street asks me for food or help, I give it—because to me, that money doesn’t belong to me. It flows. It belongs to the world.
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