Trooper Story | Chelsea | Smart About Money

Chelsea

Trooper Stories: Chelsea

Life is... busy, hectic, and stressful. This is due to college, and I actually don't mind it. I would prefer to be busy and getting myself somewhere than bored and going nowhere.

What are you most proud of in your life? I am proud of my ability to stay grounded when things get crazy.

What do you care most about? I really care about my little brother. I wouldn't say I build my life around him, but I put him above most things and try to be a good mentor.

What do you buy or pay for that you could (and maybe should) live without? Makeup.

How do you make a living/earn money? I work at a library on my university campus and take out loans.

What would you be doing if you didn't have to make money? Studying more, painting, traveling and still learning.

Who has most influenced your life? I suppose my mom because she is my engine. She keeps me going.

My favorite recreations are: Painting and watching movies.

The last text I sent... was this morning. My friend told me to take an umbrella because it was raining and I thanked her.

What's the best advice anyone's ever given you? Don't make an excuse; make a solution.

What's the worst advice anyone's given you? We're all going to die anyway.

Chinese fortune cookie fortunes and Chelsea's mom

The last vacation I took... was this past summer to Florida.

I feel most at home... when I am visiting my grandparents.

I feel most like an outsider... when my stepfamily comes to visit.

People are... exhausting but worth it.

Describe your relationship to money: Hate that I need it — and really hate that I want it.

What do you want in life that you can afford? Groceries. I can always afford food. Americans spend less on food than most developed countries and I find that strange. We take out mortgages on homes but don't buy good, healthy food.

What do you want in life that you can't afford? To travel and live in a city where I can actually get a good internship.

How do you get what you want? Work and apply for scholarships.

What's your American Dream? To find my own happiness. I expect it looks like living in multiple wonderful places, helping society, adopting a child and being in a committed relationship with a fellow human rights activist.

How is your American Dream similar or different from your parents'? It's more complex than my family's. They followed the rules.

$100,000 as an annual salary would be enough to... live off of and create a retirement fund.

I love... to travel.

Who do you turn to or where do you look for guidance when you have financial questions? I look to my mom or the financial aid center.

What are your three greatest financial challenges? Paying for college, paying for college, paying for college. I'm not even thinking about anything else right now.

How much debt do you have? $30,000 so far. It's a burden and a worry.

What financial rules or recommendations seem like sound advice to you? My grandpa is a big saver. I want to do that and I want to invest my money when I get the chance.

What financial rules or advice seem absurd to you? Keynesian economics. I hate them but I think they are great at the same time, from what I know at least. I like how his philosophy of spending benefited most people.

What three words best describe you? Pensive, calm and quizzical.

What's the biggest compliment someone can pay you? That I am intelligent and kind.

What vehicle do you own? I do not own one. Public transportation all day.

Cash, credit or debit card? Debit card.

Lead or follow? Follow until the leader is misguiding.

Stability or adventure? Adventure.

Favorite movie: Dirty Dancing.

What one thing defines you: I suppose the book The Catcher in the Rye.

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