The 21-Year-Old Who Moved From London to NYC and Makes Nearly 6-Figures

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 British 21-year-old tech sales rep based in New York City and earning between $70,000 and $100,000 a year with $10,000 saved. In this conversation, she talks about entering the tech industry through an apprenticeship instead of university, the shock of earning more at 19 than she ever expected, the financial process of making the move from London to NYC and working towards becoming a personal trainer.

People love to say, “money doesn’t buy happiness,” and of course it doesn’t buy everything. But for me, money is a huge part of why I’m happy. It allows me to travel, buy clothes I like, and afford the experiences that make me feel fulfilled.

When you think about money, what comes to mind first?
Happiness. That’s the first thing I think of. People love to say, “money doesn’t buy happiness,” and of course it doesn’t buy everything. But for me, money is a huge part of why I’m happy. It allows me to travel, buy clothes I like, and afford the experiences that make me feel fulfilled.

This hasn’t always been my relationship with money. When I was younger, I didn’t care much about money because most of what I wanted, I could ask my parents for and they were very generous. But once I got older, especially around 15, I started to feel guilty about asking for more expensive things. That’s when I realized, okay, if I want something, I need to earn it myself.

The big shift came when I started making a proper salary. Minimum wage jobs were just pocket money, but once I had a real income, I could actually do things like travel or buy things I wanted without hesitation. That’s when I connected money with freedom and happiness.

What was your first job, and what did it teach you?
My first job was at a UK hair salon. I wasn’t even old enough, I was 15 and technically the minimum age was 16, but I was so desperate to work that I just started calling random places to see who would take me. They hired me as a Saturday assistant, so every Saturday from 9 to 5 I’d sweep floors, wash hair, and clean mirrors. I was paid £5 an hour.

The funny part is it was an hour and a half away from my house. My mom told me not to bother, she even said she’d give me the money herself rather than see me exhaust myself for so little. But I insisted. I think I just wanted to be able to say, “I have a job.”

That lasted all of three weeks. One Saturday there was a party I wanted to go to, and I quit. Looking back, it wasn’t worth it; the long commute, the exhausting work, the low pay. But it was still important, because it made me realize that no amount of money is worth being miserable.

My first real job was at a frozen yogurt shop when I was 16. I’d finish school, then head straight to work until 9 or 10 at night, and I worked full-time during the summer. That felt different because while it was still minimum wage, it was manageable, and it gave me a steady rhythm.

What did those early jobs teach you?
They shaped everything. At the salon especially, I felt like I was running around endlessly cleaning, sweeping, washing with very little appreciation. The colleagues weren’t kind, there were no tips, and the pay was barely worth the travel. That experience showed me exactly what kind of work environment I don’t want.

Since then, I’ve had the mindset that if I don’t like a job, I won’t force myself to stay. My time and happiness matter more than a paycheck.

Have you ever received financial help or unexpected income?
Not in a major way. I didn’t receive an inheritance or big financial gift. The only surprise came when I turned 18 and discovered the UK government had set up a child savings account for me. Some people opened theirs and found £10,000. Mine had about £500. I spent it almost immediately on my first trip to Los Angeles. It wasn’t life-changing, but it felt exciting—like a little reward I didn’t know I had.

My first role in sales paid £60,000 (about $80,000) at just 19 years old. That was more than triple what I’d been earning as an apprentice. I remember thinking, “This is insane. I was expecting maybe another £25K job, and instead I’m here on £60K.”

Something unique about your story is that you’re making a strong salary in London without a university degree. Can you tell us about that path?
Sure. When I was 18, in sixth form, I applied to study computer science and architecture at university. But I had my eye on something else: apprenticeships. I’d found, through social media, a girl who’d done a digital marketing apprenticeship at a big tech company in London when she was 18, and I thought, if that’s still around when I finish school, that’s what I’ll do.

So I applied—and got in. My starting salary as an apprentice was £25,000 (about $32,000). At 18 years old, that felt huge. For context, some apprenticeships were paying £18–20K, mine was higher because I was in IT engineering, and software engineering apprentices were making over £30K.

After finishing, most apprentices were funneled into full-time IT engineering roles at around £40–45K. In the UK, that’s already above average, since most graduates start around £30–35K ($45K). Honestly, if I had landed on £35K, I would’ve thought I’d made it.

But instead, I pivoted into tech sales. That’s when everything changed. My first role in sales paid £60,000 (about $80,000) at just 19 years old. That was more than triple what I’d been earning as an apprentice. I remember thinking, “This is insane. I was expecting maybe another £25K job, and instead I’m here on £60K.”

That’s a huge jump at such a young age. How did that feel?
Honestly, they were some of the best days of my life. I know to people making six figures or more, it doesn’t sound like much, but at 19, that was life-changing. I went from counting every pound to suddenly having real financial breathing room.

And what about now?
In my current role, I did take a slight pay cut on base salary, but now I earn commission. At first, I was nervous about the instability, but my deals have been closing consistently, so overall I’ve still been making about the same as before.

Tech sales is also the only field I saw where you could make six figures early, without a degree. Social media—TikTok, YouTube—was where I first learned about it. If I hadn’t seen other people doing it, I wouldn’t have known it was even an option.

Have you ever been tempted to go after an even higher-paying role?
Yes. Recently I interviewed for a Solutions Consultant role. The pay was around $150,000, which is massive compared to where I started. But honestly, I had mixed feelings.

The role required deep product knowledge, more of a “tech hat,” and while I could do it, I didn’t find it exciting. Before the interview, I even cried—not because I was scared of failing, but because I realized that if I got the job, I’d be doing it purely for the money. And I wasn’t sure that was worth it.

It wasn’t that I thought I’d hate it. Honestly, the role was pretty similar to what I do now, so I knew I’d be good at it. I would have learned a lot, grown technically, maybe even found parts of it I liked. But deep down, I had different interests—roles I really wanted to explore. And I knew that if I accepted this job, I’d get comfortable. The salary would trap me in something I didn’t truly want. That terrified me more than rejection did.

So even though I didn’t end up getting the role, that whole process was such a reality check. It forced me to confront the question: Would I rather have money, or would I rather have meaning?

Did that experience change the way you think about money and work?
Definitely. It showed me how easy it is to get swept up in the numbers. The money dangled in front of you can be so tempting—especially when you’re young and every jump feels life-changing. But that interview made me realize that if you’re only saying yes for the paycheck, eventually it catches up to you.

That’s why I try to remind myself: money is important, but it’s not the only thing. You can’t build a whole career on numbers alone.

I remember Googling and going on Reddit, searching things like “how much do I need to move to New York.” Everyone made it sound terrifying. There were lots of posts saying you need at least $50,000. But I had a stable job, no debt, and a steady income coming in. Plus, I was getting paid in pounds, which made me feel even more secure. If I could make it work in London, I figured I could make it work in New York.

What experiences have most shaped your relationship with money?
Moving abroad at 19 was the biggest shift. Most people move out of their parents’ home to another city nearby, but I moved across the world. Suddenly I was paying rent, buying groceries, and covering everything myself while still wanting to save and travel.

Because I grew up in London, one of the most expensive cities in the world, the cost of living didn’t shock me as much as it could have. New York felt expensive, yes, but not that different. The real shift was the independence. It proved to me that I could handle everything financially on my own.

The decision to move away from happened very quickly. I had just come back from spending time abroad, and when I returned home, I cried every day. I knew I needed to leave. At first, I thought about moving to Lisbon, because it’s cheaper, but that didn’t work out. Because of Brexit, I couldn’t legally get employed there, and salaries in Portugal are among the lowest in Europe. Even if I could have stayed for a short stint, I didn’t want to go somewhere for just three months and then be sad when I had to leave.

So within a month, I decided on New York instead.

From January to March, I saved about £9,000 (around $12,000) and used that as my cushion. It was sudden, but having that savings gave me the confidence to take the leap.

How much money did you move with, and what did that process look like?
I had about $13,000 saved. I remember Googling and going on Reddit, searching things like “how much do I need to move to New York.” Everyone made it sound terrifying. There were lots of posts saying you need at least $50,000. But I had a stable job, no debt, and a steady income coming in. Plus, I was getting paid in pounds, which made me feel even more secure. If I could make it work in London, I figured I could make it work in New York.

Within three weeks, I booked my flight, packed my bags, and started searching for an apartment. The ticket cost around $700–$800 since I booked last minute, and I did pay extra for luggage and a premium seat. It wasn’t the most financially responsible choice, but that’s part of how I approach money; I’m willing to spend more on things that genuinely make me happy, even if they’re not “optimal” on paper.

I found a room on SpareRoom for $1,600 a month. Later, I realized the girl renting it to me was marking it up since the whole apartment was about $2,500 she was paying a lot less than me for an equal amount of space. It felt a bit unfair, but at least it was furnished, which made the transition easier.

I ended up in Park Slope, Brooklyn, which was actually my uncle’s recommendation. He knew the areas of London I like and told me Park Slope would give me similar vibes. I trusted him, and he was right, I loved it immediately! Even though I’d never been to New York before, moving to Park Slope turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I don’t even think of my old neighborhood in London as much as I think of Park Slope now.

What does money mean to you now?
For me, money is choice. It’s the ability to leave a job I don’t enjoy, to travel, to start over in a new place. It isn’t just about security, it’s about freedom, and making sure the life I live is one that actually makes me happy.

Honestly, it plays a big role in how happy I feel when I wake up in the morning. Right now, money shapes my future in very real ways. I’m thinking about leaving New York, and while money isn’t the only reason, it’s definitely a factor.

I’d like to live alone, but the cost of doing that here feels impossible to justify. So yes, money impacts my decisions—where I live, how I live, and what I plan for next.

The kind of lifestyle I want isn’t cheap. If I were the type to move to the countryside, live simply, and raise a family on a farm, I wouldn’t need as much. But I like expensive things, and I see myself maintaining that lifestyle long-term. So money has to play both roles: it gets me the experiences I want now, and it sets me up for the future I envision later.

How do you decide what’s worth spending on?
I have certain non-negotiables. I don’t spend a ton on clothes or makeup compared to a lot of people, but I always get my nails and hair done. Those are priorities for me, and I don’t care how much they cost— I take pride in my appearance, and that’s where I’m willing to spend.

Another big one is food. When I first moved, I was in “La La Land” with America’s food culture; fast food, novelty foods, just spending without thinking. It wasn’t just expensive, it was unhealthy. Over time, my mindset shifted. Now, I’ll spend extra on organic chicken or pasteurized eggs. I see that as worth it, even if it’s a few dollars more.

Then there’s travel. That’s the one area where I don’t really do the math. If there’s a place I’ve wanted to see, and I have the time to go, I’ll go. Even if the trip isn’t amazing, it’s still an experience. I’ve never regretted spending on travel.

Do you see money more as a tool, or does it hold a deeper meaning for you?
Both. On one hand, money is a tool—it lets me travel, buy things I enjoy, and have experiences. But on the other hand, I see it as the foundation for my future.

The kind of lifestyle I want isn’t cheap. If I were the type to move to the countryside, live simply, and raise a family on a farm, I wouldn’t need as much. But I like expensive things, and I see myself maintaining that lifestyle long-term. So money has to play both roles: it gets me the experiences I want now, and it sets me up for the future I envision later.

Do you feel like social media has changed the way you think about money?
Definitely. Social media makes it so easy to compare yourself. I try not to fall into the trap of comparison too much, because I know it’s not real life, but when you see people your age buying houses, earning double your salary, or building multiple streams of income, it does make you think.

For me, it’s not jealousy but more motivation. I look at it like, “Okay, if they’ve done it, then I can do it too.” Honestly, without social media, I wouldn’t be where I am now. Every job I’ve gotten has been influenced by what I’ve learned online. I’d stalk people’s pages, binge YouTube videos on interviews, and map out how others carved paths I wanted for myself. Social media made those futures feel possible.

I used to stop by cafés constantly and grab drinks I didn’t even really want. It felt minor—$7 here, $7 there—but it added up fast. Once I realized I was spending hundreds a month that way, I cut it out. Over the last few months, I’ve probably saved over $500 a month just by not eating and drinking out as much.

Do you follow personal finance content online?
Not much, to be honest. I’ve followed a couple of creators who talk about budgeting, and sometimes they touch on money topics, but that’s about it. I’m not immersed in that side of social media the way some people are.

Have you ever questioned your money habits or beliefs?
All the time. My approach to money fluctuates between extremes. Some days I’m very “YOLO”; I’ll book the trip, splurge on something I want, and just tell myself the money will come back. Other times, I’m stricter and try to spend almost nothing.

Recently, I’ve been rethinking small spending habits. For example, I used to stop by cafés constantly and grab drinks I didn’t even really want. It felt minor—$7 here, $7 there—but it added up fast. Once I realized I was spending hundreds a month that way, I cut it out. Over the last few months, I’ve probably saved over $500 a month just by not eating and drinking out as much.

Now, I only spend when I truly want the thing. If the food isn’t great or the drink isn’t worth it, why waste the money? Cooking at home feels better, tastes better, and saves me money.

Do your financial decisions align with who you are?
Yes and no. The way I’ve spent money in the past three years on travel, moving abroad, and experiences which absolutely aligns with who I am. But in terms of saving, not always. I used to be stricter and focused on building a safety net, but over time I slipped into a more carefree mindset.

Lately, though, I’ve been shifting back. Deciding to leave New York, for example, was part of me choosing financial responsibility again. If I wanted to force it, I could stay, make sacrifices like living with more roommates, and find a way. But I’m not willing to compromise my lifestyle to that extent.

If money were no object, how would your life change?
I’d probably split my time between two places. One would be New York, living in a brownstone. The other would be South America, specifically Colombia, where I’d immerse myself, become fluent in Spanish, and live there for years.

I’d also run my own businesses. One would be a print design studio, creating textile patterns for clothing. The other would be a fitness space specializing in pre- and postnatal training for women. Those are things I’m already planning to pursue, but unlimited money would just speed up the process.

It’s something I’ve become passionate about through my own training experiences. I’m already working on my personal training certification, and then I’ll specialize in pre- and postnatal fitness. I don’t necessarily want to work in a commercial gym, I’d prefer to carve out a niche where I help women during pregnancy and after childbirth.

I think that interest also comes from my family. My mom and grandma were both teachers and caretakers, but they also owned rental properties. They always emphasized the importance of having multiple income streams. That shaped me a lot. I want to keep my main career, but also build other avenues that align with my passions, whether that’s fitness, design, or something else creative.

I really believe money will always come back. That’s the mindset I live by. I don’t mean spend recklessly or blow your life savings on a holiday, but I do mean—if you’re hardworking, if you use the resources and privileges you do have, money has a way of flowing back to you.

What role do you see money playing in building that future?
Money is both a tool and a foundation. It lets me enjoy the things I love now like travel, beauty, and food, but it also sets the stage for the life I want later. I don’t picture myself living a quiet, low-cost life in the countryside. I like expensive things, I like experiences, and I want the freedom to build businesses around my interests. For that, I know I’ll need money, not just as a means to an end, but as the base that lets me create the future I want.

Do you feel like the impact of what you do matters a lot to you?
Yes and no. Right now, I sell technology; it’s not life or death, I’m not a doctor saving lives. But when I close a deal, it does feel like an impact. It makes me smile knowing I helped bring value to a business. That said, I don’t feel completely fulfilled. I’d like to see a more direct impact from my work, whether that’s through creating prints people wear without knowing I made them or through fitness, where I can literally see the results of helping someone.

What do you wish more people understood about money?
This might sound delusional or even a bit out of touch, but I really believe money will always come back. That’s the mindset I live by. I don’t mean spend recklessly or blow your life savings on a holiday, but I do mean—if you’re hardworking, if you use the resources and privileges you do have, money has a way of flowing back to you.

Of course, I still get stressed about it, I’m human. But when I look at some of the situations I’ve been in, I know a lot of people would’ve been far more panicked. For me, I’ve always trusted that as long as I keep showing up, keep putting in the work, the money will come back one way or another. That belief makes it easier to breathe, to take risks, and to not let fear drive every decision.