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 24-year-old software engineer based in New York City earning $188,000 a year with no student debt who chooses to live with her parents. In this conversation, she reflects on redefining freedom, resisting pressure to perform wealth, and learning to balance cultural responsibility with her own long-term financial goals.
Age: 24
Net Worth (Assets & Debt): $24,000
Salary (or Primary Income Source): ~$198,000 in total compensation
Region: New York City
Industry: Technology
I also remember being in private middle school and noticing how expensive everything was—uniforms, shoes, all of it. I didn’t understand how my parents could afford it. I wasn’t worried about food or getting evicted or anything like that, but I was always aware of how tightly money was being stretched. I grew out of shoes fast, and every grade had a different uniform color. Plus, the school kept switching the designs—probably had some deal with the uniform supplier.
When you think about money, what comes to mind first?
Freedom.
Has that always been your relationship with money?
No. When I was younger, money meant luxury to me. You know, the kind of lifestyle you see on TV where kids are always showered in gifts. I didn’t grow up poor, but I didn’t grow up middle class either—at least not in the way you imagine it from pop culture. My parents sent me to a private elementary school they thought was better for me, and when I applied to high schools, I realized how expensive education could be. That exposure brought stress, even though it wasn’t always talked about directly.
So when did the shift from luxury to freedom happen?
Around high school or middle school. It was a bit of both: I was consuming media that showed what a lot of money could buy, but I was also watching my mom’s life unfold. She had been a software engineer in the Dominican Republic. She came to the U.S., redid her college education because her degree wasn’t recognized here, and then got pregnant with me. That changed everything for her. She became a home preparer instead. She always told me, “Don’t rely on anyone. You need to be financially independent.”
She wasn’t in a financially abusive situation, but she didn’t have financial freedom. Her dream for me was to have what she didn’t—to be able to live off my own salary, make my own choices. I make a good salary now, but I still live with my family. I save most of my paycheck and don’t spend a lot. So even though my net worth is growing, it doesn’t feel like I have a lot of money. To me, having money is being able to spend without worrying, not necessarily stacking savings.
What was your first job and what did it teach you about money?
It was a software engineering internship at a finance company. I was 23. It didn’t teach me a whole lot philosophically, but it made me more frugal. There’s something about spending money you earned yourself that hits different. Before that, most of my money came from Pell Grants, TAP refunds, or small gifts from family. That didn’t feel like real money in the same way
Do you support anyone financially now?
Yes. Even though my parents don’t ask—honestly, they’re a little uncomfortable with it because they still see me as their kid—I still send them about $1,000 each month to help with rent. I also send money to my grandma in the Dominican Republic.
She’s actually kind of hilarious about it. When I started working, she was like, “My favorite granddaughter is making so much money now!” But she’s not keeping it for herself—she redistributes it. She lives on a hill across from a primary school, and there are kids in her neighborhood who don’t always have food or reliable transport. She uses what I send her to buy clothes and help them out. I can afford to send money back, and with the exchange rate, it goes a long way.
How do you balance that with your own goals?
I try to keep a balance that works for me. Budgeting is hard—it feels restrictive—but I’ve found a rhythm. A portion of my paycheck goes straight into my 401(k), and then I pull out what I think I’ll need for the month—transportation, food, fun money—and the rest goes into savings or an IRA. I just finished contributing to my 2024 IRA, so now I have a little more flexibility. I’m not strict about budgeting down to the penny. It’s more like, “This is what I think I can save, and I’ll adjust if I need to.”
when I wasn’t working, my parents gave me money. I don’t know exactly how much, but it was a good amount. They’ve never asked me to pay them back, and I think that’s what good parents do—but it does stress me out. My mom doesn’t work, and my dad helped support me too. Even though they don’t expect it, I want to support them in retirement. They don’t have a lot saved, and they’re in their late 50s.
Have you ever received passive income, inheritance, or financial gifts that shaped your financial standing today?
Not inheritance. But when I wasn’t working, my parents gave me money. I don’t know exactly how much, but it was a good amount. They’ve never asked me to pay them back, and I think that’s what good parents do—but it does stress me out. My mom doesn’t work, and my dad helped support me too. Even though they don’t expect it, I want to support them in retirement. They don’t have a lot saved, and they’re in their late 50s. My dad has said he wants to retire soon, though there’s no set date yet.
I think I’ll have enough money to help them, but the question is: how do I do that while still reaching my own savings goals and enjoying my 20s? It’s something I think about a lot. I’ll probably have to be stricter with budgeting when that time comes.
Do you know how much you spend monthly?
Probably about $2,000, though when I include what I give my parents, it’s closer to $3,000. A lot of that spending isn’t essential—eating out, random purchases. I don’t want to sacrifice time with friends, but I know I could be smarter. I’m working on being more intentional: spending less on takeout, saving that money for things that feel more meaningful.
Even though I already put a good chunk into savings every month, I know I could still be more mindful with what’s left. There’s definitely room to improve.
Do you think about having a family of your own someday, and how that would factor into your financial plans?
To be honest, I don’t think I’m going to have a family. I’m not very family-oriented, and while that could change, right now I don’t see myself having children—not even through adoption or surrogacy. It just doesn’t feel right to me. If I did it now, it would feel like I was conforming to what’s expected, not doing what I actually want.
So I’m not planning or saving with that in mind. My focus is supporting my parents, helping my grandma, saving as much as I reasonably can, and figuring out how to still live a full, joyful life in the process.
What experiences have shaped the way you think about money?
So many moments, honestly. I’ve talked about my mom already—how she always told me I needed to be financially independent. That message stuck. She made it clear: if you don’t have your own financial freedom, you might feel stuck. Not trapped exactly, but like you don’t have full agency over your choices.
I also remember being in private middle school and noticing how expensive everything was—uniforms, shoes, all of it. I didn’t understand how my parents could afford it. I wasn’t worried about food or getting evicted or anything like that, but I was always aware of how tightly money was being stretched. I grew out of shoes fast, and every grade had a different uniform color. Plus, the school kept switching the designs—probably had some deal with the uniform supplier. Even as a kid I was suspicious, like… does this really need to cost so much?
Was there a defining moment that changed your view on money?
Definitely when I started applying to high school and then college. My family considered Catholic high schools that were ridiculously expensive. I didn’t feel like it was worth it, but I understood they saw it as an investment in my education. Still, it made me hyperaware of how much things cost.
College hit even harder. I initially wanted to go to a state university, but when I ran the numbers, it would’ve put me around $50,000 in debt. That was nearly what my dad made in a year. I remember thinking, “No, this isn’t doable.” I ended up going to a city university and, surprisingly, even got a refund for going. That decision—choosing affordability over prestige—felt like the most financially responsible thing I’ve done so far. And I’m really grateful for a program called Bottom Line that helped me navigate everything. It exposed the gap in resources between students from low-income backgrounds and those from wealthier households whose parents had been prepping them for top schools for years.
Were you ever aware of generational wealth—or the lack of it—growing up?
Absolutely. I didn’t have a college fund.
It’s not that my parents didn’t care or weren’t generous. I think they just didn’t fully understand the scope of how expensive college would be in the U.S. They both went to CUNY schools when they immigrated, and that’s relatively cheap. So I don’t think they planned far ahead for what private or even dorming at public schools would cost.
What’s the most difficult or significant financial decision you’ve made so far?
Definitely deciding not to dorm for college. I knew it would mean missing out on the “traditional” college experience—something people really romanticize—but I couldn’t justify the debt. I was looking at $50,000, and that didn’t even include extras like food or fun money.
I went to a financial high school, so I already had some background on how interest works, how debt compounds, and how it could affect my net worth over time. That helped me approach the decision rationally. I thought: do I really want to spend years working just to pay that off? And the answer was no. Even if I went to a “better” school, I wasn’t willing to take on that kind of burden.
How do you decide what’s worth spending or saving for?
It’s usually about long-term value. I’m impulsive by nature, but I’ve been working on it. I try to weigh whether something is just a momentary convenience—like takeout during work—or whether it’s an experience I’ll really value, like dinner with friends. I’ve realized I’m okay sacrificing short-term ease if it means preserving money for experiences that matter more.
I’m still adjusting to the idea of making $198,000 a year. That’s more than double what my family made growing up. It doesn’t feel real yet. I haven’t even seen all of it hit my account, so I’m still figuring out what this level of income means.
Do you feel like you have any financial “status symbols”?
Not really. Again, I live at home and don’t spend much. So from the outside, I probably don’t look like someone who makes nearly $200K. But that’s okay. For me, the real flex is being able to support my family and stack savings at the same time.
What role does money play in your life right now?
I don’t have a specific number I’m working toward, and honestly, the goal of owning a home doesn’t feel as important to me anymore. I used to think buying an apartment was the ultimate financial goal, but I’ve heard from people who rent for life and are still happy. I don’t want to be tied down just to fulfill someone else’s definition of success.
So no, I’m not working toward early retirement or some big financial finish line. Right now, money means two things to me: freedom and preparation. I’m trying to build a cushion for the future—especially so I can support my parents when they retire. And I’m still adjusting to the idea of making $198,000 a year. That’s more than double what my family made growing up. It doesn’t feel real yet. I haven’t even seen all of it hit my account, so I’m still figuring out what this level of income means.
Has media or social media shaped how you think about money?
Oh, for sure. In the early 2000s, I really internalized the idea that having a lot of money meant showing it off. I’m honestly kind of ashamed to admit it now, but I did want to peacock a little. Pop culture made it seem like that was the goal: expensive clothes, flashy lifestyles, luxury everything.
Now I see it differently. A lot of that lifestyle is fake—rented cars, borrowed mansions, curated images. And I follow personal finance creators on social media now too. They’ve helped me realize wealth isn’t about what you show; it’s about what you keep, what you plan for. I’ve learned about taxes, investing, and being realistic. It’s helped me become a lot more critical of what I see online and a lot more thoughtful about my own relationship with money.
If money were no object, how would your life change?
That’s such a hard question. I think I’d still work in tech—I like it. I’m not a workaholic, but I do find fulfillment in what I do. I’d probably move out and live on my own. And I’d want to host, have space to bring people together, and give back to those I care about.
But I don’t think my habits would change that much. My upbringing has made me a little nervous around money, and I’d probably still be cautious, even if I had more than enough.
What do you wish more people understood about money?
Honestly, I feel like most people understand money better than I do. I don’t think I’m in a place to give advice, especially not technical advice. But I guess if I had to say something, it’s that everyone’s financial situation is different. What looks like wealth isn’t always wealth. And you don’t have to perform success to actually be successful.
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