My Story

Seeing the joy in the journey is my calling. My ability to see people at their best is the light that can’t be turned off. It’s my goal to help others shine with possibilities and God-fidence that comes with financial freedom.

My struggle with money began as a child. I watched my mother struggle living paycheck to paycheck to provide for me and my six siblings. Lack of money ultimately led my family into a life of poverty, crime, the death of two siblings and me being uprooted from the home into foster care at the age of 14.

Back Then…

As a foster teen, I hid the pain of poverty. I wore a smile on my face but on the inside, I felt unwanted and not good enough (sound Familiar), I self- medicated by spending money on looking the best so that people would accept me.  For years, I kept my struggles with money,  low self-esteem, and body-image to myself.  Afraid and ashamed of the cards I was dealt, I played it safe. I followed the American dream to make it. I raked up student loan debt, financed cars, and lived off credit cards. This cycle continued even after I became a wife.

The Ahhh moment came, one December morning when I looked out the window only to see that my car had been repo. Did I forget to mention that I was newly married, with no job, and a mountain of debt. I was slowly dying inside and I knew I had to break out.

After some serious soul-searching and some long walks along Lake Michigan I realized it was time to turn my pain into my purpose.

I decided to invest in learning more about a positive self image, and how to start the healing process from the inside out. In 2018 I wrote a declaration for my life, and marriage based on the Bible scripture

 Mark 2:11   That says you shall decree a thing and it shall be established. 

I went from a poverty mindset to a life of possibilities. I’ve saved over 20,000 each year on a minimum wage job and became a certified financial coach. I soon discovered, it was never just about a new dress, the right necklace, or the perfect shoes – it was about walking courageously toward my true calling.
Join me on this journey to financial freedom. Where we journey beyond our closets, because life has no dress rehearsal, there’s only one chance to get it right.  Through my saving program and live Sip and Save tea parties, I hope that you are inspired to see the possibilities you can have with God and a plan.  All things are truly possible. 

Mary’s unique style and approach are the outcome of her educational background (Bachelor’s degree in merchandising, certification in Financial Coaching) , her life experience growing up in poverty as a foster teen in Chicago Illinois and her being able to find joy in the journey to create a healthy relationship with money.  

Mary’s favorite activities are long walks along Lake Michigan, cooking new dishes, and spending time with her husband and her beloved niece and nephew.