Kumiko Love, AFC®, the budget mom
Before there was a successful finance blog. Before the life-changing budget and fully funded emergency savings account...there was a "broke rich" girl. Spending money on things that didn't matter. Desperately trying to fit in. Not knowing how she was going to keep up with the minimum payments or put food on the table.
Pursuit Of Perfection
I didn't always have this whole money thing figured out.
Before graduating college with a finance degree, I struggled with self-confidence. I spent money on things that I thought would make me feel better, and they did, but it wasn't long before I was back in the mall shopping for my next outfit.
The shift from wanting "to be perfect" to the woman and mom I am now was anything but "glamorous."
When I finally did get serious about tackling my finances, I was plagued with self-doubt, botched budgets, and a battering sense of never being able to reach my goals.
After having my son, and spending month after month trying to keep up with the minimum payments on my credit cards........I quickly realized:
"This is not the life I want to live"
The First Year Was Hard
I didn't wake up one morning with a perfect budget and all of my credit card debt paid off.
Every step toward financial freedom was impaired by an even more significant hit of mistakes, failed attempts, and spending guilt.
Long hours writing out a budget and creating a plan that never gave me any sign of progress.
Days watching my son, wondering how I was going to provide a life that was better than mine.
Botched debt payoff plans.
A pile of unfinished budgets.
And a savings account that never seemed to grow.
And when I finally did feel like I was making progress:
An unexpected expense or another trip to the mall would ruin everything. Burning myself out with spending and trying to keep up, trying to portray someone I wasn't, seemed like the only way.
When in reality, deep down, I knew I was merely setting myself up for failure, which really meant I was failing my family.
"So I finally said "NO MORE!"
Abundance
I discovered that a life of abundance is not about how much you have but how you live.
That there is something more important than money.
I realized that I actually like budgeting. Uh, I know! But sticking to a budget and learning how to save money forces me to appreciate what I already have, and it's surprisingly satisfying.
I learned that my real self is more important than my ideal self. Learning to accept who you are as a person and what you stand for is something that money can never buy.
When I finally doubled down and got serious about tackling my money issues, I learned:
- How to create a realistic budget that worked for my own life, and giving myself permission to do it my way.
- How to save money without thinking about it.
- How to create a debt payoff plan that allowed me to make real progress.
- How to effectively prioritize my money, so I no longer spent money on things that didn't matter.
And after I figured out all of that....
I discovered that I wanted to help as many women as possible find the same success & peace that I had found.
Over the years, I developed a reputation for teaching people how to turn steps into action.
To stop thinking and start doing.
I go into the serious details that give you the confidence to take the first step and build a life you love on a budget you can afford & understand.
I'm able to do this because I've been there, and what I teach is what I do in my real life.
I give you all of the information and resources that I have as an Accredited Financial Counselor®, so you can stop worrying and start doing.
Because, hey, a small step is still a step in the right direction.
The Truth
I can't promise you that all of your money troubles will disappear in one day, that you can save "X" amount of money in one week, or pay off all of your debt in a specific time frame.
What I can promise is that taking the first step is life changing, and I want to help you get there!
If you are ready, you can read about my financial philosophy here.
Let's take that first step together.
