This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Prudential and DiMe Media. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
Feeling Financially Empowered with Prudential #Prupárate
This is the begining of my journey as a Prudential Ambassador and I want to share with you how I am Feeling Financially Empowered with Prudential #Prupárate. As I was growing up, I remember the issue of money being a taboo, something you just didn’t speak about. No one ever spoke about how much they made, savings, or future plans. I remember very few times in my life where we went to a bank, and when I asked questions I was told to mind my business.
As I got jobs since I was 14, all my money went towards helping my Mom. I never had an allowance, nor a savings account. When I moved out at 23 I got a job, I would spend my money as I got it, and my budget limit was when my account was at zero.
After getting Married the pattern continued, and as a Military Family the income was not only a small one, but spending until we were over-drafted was more of a necessity than an accident. Six kids later the pattern never changed, with my Husband being the only one with the stable income, it was always a regular thing to overdraft our account so we could make it by until the next payday. Five years ago my Husband left the Military after a 15 year career due to severe PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury after, and as it was a sudden decision; we had no preparation for the next chapter in our lives.
The severance pay that should have lasted us over a year to live off of, lasted us a few months as we moved from California to New York to start a new life as civilians.
Fast forward those five years to the present, we have rebuilt from nothing after a house fire and no savings at all (click here to read our story). We always wondered about speaking to a financial advisor but it was something that was as scary as it was foreign. “A financial advisor is only for rich people”. That was the most common misconception among everyone we asked.
A couple of months ago I was so excited to find out that I was chosen to be a Prudential Ambassador and as a preparation for my upcoming trip to Hispanicize; I did as much research of the company’s services as I could.
Feeling Financially Empowered with Prudential #Prupárate
A day before Hispanicize began, we were honored to be invited to a cocktail event hosted by Prudential, for all of the Ambassadors that were attending Hispanicize. I was so nervous to attend as I had only personally met Elayna from The Positive Mom, but as soon as I stepped inside the room; I was greeted by smiles and welcomes from everyone!
It was very nice to see the Prudential representatives speak to us and be interested in what we had to say, we heard about their mission, we all introduced ourselves and our blogs, and we all heard why each one of us was chosen as a Prudential Ambassador. It was so good to hear that I was chosen with a special purpose in mind.
Towards the end of the night, we were all given a special gift that I wear daily. It is a necklace and it represents to me the care that goes behind this campaign.
Feeling Financially Empowered with Prudential #Prupárate
Feeling Financially Empowered with Prudential #Prupárate
After the night was over, I was so happy that the Ladies invited me to go out to dinner with them. I had a great time, we laughed, and I saw the beginning of some beautiful friendships.
From left to right:
LaToyia from Motivated Mom, Myself, Claudia from Trendy latina, Mayrah from Coupon Mamacita, and front and center: Elayna from The Positive Mom
During my 6 days in Miami I learned so much, I learned that a financial advisor is not just for the wealthy, but for everyone! I learned that money is not a taboo and saving for the future in fact is something that we can speak about with friends and Family. I will break up everything I have learned and will learn into several posts and shares so I don’t overwhelm you with too much in too little time, but I had to share with you the beginning of my journey with Prudential.
I can honestly say that it has been a life changing experience and I can not wait to learn and share even more!
For more posts about the things we are learning as Prudential Ambassadors, read these great posts:
Coupon Mamacita:
Planning for Your Future – How Prudential and Hispanicize Helped Me #Prupárate
Motivated Mom:
3 Tips To Make Up For Lost Time With Your Retirement
The Positive Mom:
3 Simple Ways To Build An Emergency Fund
Have you spoken to a financial advisor before?
Have you started a retirement savings account, or a College savings account for your children?
What questions do you have for the Prudential team, I will post the answers in our next post!
So very true amiga! It seems as Latinas, we had similar trends growing up. I must honestly say, that Prudential has opened up my eyes and has helped me understand that we must take control of our finances! I now feel so financially empowered! It’s peace of mind for my and my family and it feels GOOD.
Financial planning is so important but I think so many people are afraid of it. I think it relieves a lot of stress when you have a financial plan.
Financial planning is very important. We do have a college savings 529 account for the kids. We also have money we are saving for retirement as well. It’s 25 years away but you have to start while you’re still young.
I so believe in financial planning and I also believe that there are experts who should guide you! Just because your parents did well, doesn’t mean that their ways work for you. Get advice and then take it!
This is something that I need to get into ASAP. That and investing money. I feel so lost in terms of getting started.
I love this. Financial planning is important and I’ve always taken it seriously. You just never know what could come up.
when you plan well financially you save alot of income and stress from it all and you build yourself a life you so want and desire, proper planning is always key in things like this. good read here as this is very resourceful.
That is such a beautiful necklace. It’s so important to be financially empowered because it allows you to make decisions that will positively affect you and your family.
I have been wanting to talk to a Financial planner but I have always been a little intimidated. I think it is so cool that you have learned so much and I am inspired to seek out financial planning help.
Being prepared for the future is so important. Unfortunately it is often easier said than done! It sounds like you are on the right track though!!
First of all I am so glad to read that things are looking up for you and your family! Keep looking forward and things will continue to pick up! 🙂
I have considered getting a financial planner in a few years as I am finally receiving income from my business and I know nothing about math and accounting. However, like you, I grew up thinking financial advisers were only for the rich and I’ve heard many scary things about them, that they use your money for their own spoils, they buy houses with your money, they have access to your SSN and all that personal info…it just scares me! I’m truly torn between learning the accounting and money side of entrepreneurship over getting an advisor but this post opened my mind a bit more to it!
My story is different, but something I had in common was working at a young age to help my mother pay the bills. She was a single mom and was struggling to stay afloat. I had many years that I struggled financially as an adult and I, too, lived paycheck-to-paycheck, and overdraft fees were a common occurrence. I’m so happy to hear you became empowered–it is a great feeling, isn’t it?
Yes I actually did set up an account with a financial adviser. It is a scary thing, but it should be done!
I’ve never actually tried going through a bank for some financial planning, probably why in a lot of debt lol! Definitely goin to look into this with my husband!
looks like a great job and lots to learn! Financial planning is such a good investment in your future.
I haven’t yet had an entrepreneur guy in my life. But now I read such things, I want one. Because I like to take challenges on! Bring it baby!
yes it is 😉 and I will definitely try to learn as much as I can 😉
yes do it! I am in debt because of that as well lol! I am hoping to change that!
definitely scary, but so glad that you did go and set one up!
I am sorry to hear that things were tough for you as well, but I know for sure it made you stronger! yes, it’s a great feeling to be able to empowered in such an important item 😉
I completely understand your fears, they are very real; the good thing about Prudential is that they are a major company who has rules and laws in place so the financial planners have no access to your funds. They are there to guide and advise you, and you make the decisions and take the needed steps. You should totally look it up 😉
you hit the nail on the head Heather, but I am definitely taking the steps to try to go through it 😉
starting while young is definitely a bonus! We just started a 529 for my daughter as well, it felt so nice to be able to do that for a child 😉
yes, I was extremely intimidated as well, but it wasn’t as scary as I thought 😉 Go for it 😉
You know what I’d love to speak to a financial advisor myself because I don’t think I’ve got it right. So motivating to see that this has helped you so much! x
It’s nice to feel that you no longer have to worry about the future because of Prudential Life. It’s been a rough journey for you but you’re there and you just have to keep going.
That was tough, I could only imagine what it was like especially when the challenges you had to face kept going on. I think it’s great that you finally learned how to manage your money and save for your future with the help of Prudential Life.
This sounds pretty awesome. I need to do something like this, its important to me to make sure I feel empowered where finances are concerned. especially since now I am the one bringing in the most money, its important to be organized and prepared!
great information. i need to do some better planning. i’ll share this with my husband
I have been looking into ways to improve our financials this year esp with a baby on the way. I cal totally see hubby reading this through too. Thank you for this info.
My dad worked at Prudential when he as younger. Great job! Good luck!
Thank you for sharing it with your Husband, and I hope you are able to reach your goal 😉
How awesome, by what I heard from many employees; they are treated great.
Congratulations on the little one on the way, that is so exciting! I hope I can continue to share useful information that will help you 😉
exactly! I hope to be able to teach my children all the things I learn because I don’t want them to grow up as clueless as me 😉
I promise it’s so easy to speak to a Prudential advisor, and it’s all easy from there 😉
The first step of calling or setting up a meeting is always the hardest.
yes, and with life it’s always one thing or another 😉
So planning is something I am actually excited about now that I understand it 😉
Thank you Lex, I appreciate your comment, and I am so happy to be able to share all that I learn 😉
Thank you for the compliment about my necklace, I love it 😉
and yes, once I learned to get ahold of the money situation, it feels great to see that I have a cushion for the things that I want 😉
the best advice I can give you Tereza, is to go for it! Go speak to an advisor, you will lose nothing and gain so much knowledge and empowerment 😉
Thank you so much Amanda for the encouragement 😉 I really appreciate it!
Thank you very much for your comment and encouragement Elizabeth, it’s ice to finally see a light out of the tunnel 😉
Yes Jeanine, I couldn’t agree more; it’s so important to have a hold on our financial situation, go for it and speak to an advisor, you won’t regret it 😉
Financial planning is so very important!!! You never know when an emergency can happen. I need to get better at saving and planning for the future
getting better at it is something we all need to work on 😉
Hopefully you can get on track with steps you need, and I will be trying to do the same 😉