Growing up, I learned firsthand how powerful financial education can be. In elementary and middle school, my parents taught me to set aside a portion of everything I earned from odd jobs and birthday gifts. At the time, it didn’t feel big. Just small habits, a little discipline, and learning what it meant to save. But by high school, those lessons paid off in a huge way: I was able to buy my first car with money I had saved myself. It’s still the car I drive today.

That experience showed me early on that understanding the basics of personal finance can genuinely change your future. It’s one of the main reasons I chose to study finance and economics in college; I wanted to understand how money works, how markets move, and how the flow of money touches almost everything around us.

But more importantly, I want younger kids to learn the same life and financial principles I did. Today’s economy is changing fast, and for many families, life is getting tougher to navigate. Junior Achievement gives students something incredibly valuable: the confidence and knowledge to set goals, build habits, and make financial decisions that reduce stress rather than create it.

I believe everyone, no matter their income, can improve their financial situation with the right tools, a solid plan, and the discipline to stick with it. JA helps kids build those skills early, so they can worry less and dream more.

That’s why I’m proud to support Junior Achievement and why I’m fundraising this year. If you’d like to help me support this mission, I would truly appreciate it.