Invest Like a Mother: How to Invest Ethically and Build Wealth
For years, we have heard the same investing advice many of us First Gen Latinas get once we finally start making decent money: Put money into the stock market. Buy index funds. Keep contributing to your 401(k). Set it and forget it. And I understand why this simple advice gets repeated over and over. It […]
The Power of Patience: Building Wealth Doesn’t Have to Be Rushed
In today’s hustle culture, we’re constantly told to move faster, invest sooner, scale immediately. Everything is rushed. However, this can lead to mistakes and financial decisions made from anxiety versus clarity. The real path to financial freedom isn’t about speed, it’s about strategy. As a first generation Latina, I know what it feels like to […]
Navigating the Unique Challenges of Retirement Planning of First-Generation Immigrant Parents
As a first-generation immigrants, many of us find ourselves in the challenging position of being our parents’ retirement plan. This responsibility can often feel overwhelming, especially when combined with our own financial goals. In this blog post, we will explore practical steps for retirement planning for immigrant parents, while also securing our own financial future. […]
How to Avoid Financial Traps this Holiday Season
You ever feel like your paycheck disappears faster than you can think? That’s not your imagination, it’s by design. There are so many financial traps set for you. From the “limited-time” holiday spending offers to credit card promos, this economy runs on your exhaustion and confusion. But acuérdate: you’re a cycle-breaker. And part of building […]
No Minimum Credit Score? What Fannie Mae’s New Rule Really Means
Starting November 16, Fannie Mae is officially removing its minimum credit score requirement for certain borrowers using their Desktop Underwriter® (DU) automated system. Sounds like good news, but is it? To some it may bring flashbacks to the 2008 housing crash, when predatory loans were given left and right. This set up many for failure […]
The Big Beautiful Boycott: How to Join the Protest
The 2025 holiday season is hitting different, especially for first-gen Latinas who are feeling the weight of economic injustice, political chaos, and spending fatigue. With ICE raids, government shutdowns, and SNAP benefits being cut, many in our comunidad are choosing a no-spend Christmas, known as the Big Beautiful Boycott (BBB), a play on the Big […]
The Financial Toll of Caregiving: The Sandwich Generation’s Struggle
Let’s call it what it is: being first-gen often means becoming your family’s emergency fund, caregiver, emotional rock, and backup retirement plan. However, do we really know the financial expectation is when it is time to become a caregiver to your aging parents? That’s exactly what this week’s MoneyChisme Podcast episode with Basiliso Moreno (Bas) […]
Your Financial Journey Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect Tortilla
Growing up, First Gen Latinas, feel the pressure of being perfect. We put so much pressure on ourselves to have it all figured out. A perfect budget. A flawless credit score. The “right” house. The best investments. And don’t even get me started on being compared to our “perfect” cousin. But let me tell you […]
Building a Homestead & Gaining Financial Freedom with a Manufactured Home
After 14 years of military service, I’m finally fulfilling my dream of building a homestead where we can live a slower paced life. However, the process was not easy and I had to pivot from my original plan, of building a barndominium, to a manufactured home. I’m sharing why I made the switch and what […]
From Financial Ghost to First-Gen Wealth: A Latina Veteran’s Journey to Financial Literacy
Imagine learning that you are a financial ghost, all because you did not have a credit history. When Jhoanna Astudillo returned from a tour in Iraq, she was unable to purchase a car, even though she had a large downpayment. Jhoanna learned the hard way, how the lack of financial literacy can have negative effects. […]