🟪 My financial goal is to save up and invest enough money to work for fun

🇺🇸 Gabbi Cerezo, 31, financial coach and financial planner

NAME: Gabbi Cerezo

AGE: 31

FROM: California, USA - currently living in Los Angeles

ASTRO: Gemini

LOVES: I love bouldering, hula dancing, and reading! Plus whatever hobby of the moment I've discovered :)

MISSION(S): Take care of myself so I can help take care of others.

JOB(S)/PROJECT(S): I'm a financial coach and financial planner in the US.

🟣 Gabbi offers a 25% discount on financial planning and coaching services to paid subscribers of Money Feelings! (I’m not compensated in any way, I just really like her work and what she stands for.) More info in the Paid Corner.

SURPRISE(S): I have tried to learn how to whistle my whole life and have never been able to do it - please share if you have tips!

🟣 Which types of purchases do you tend to buy impulsively?

🔘 Clothing

🔘 Shoes / Accessories

🔘 Takeout / Food deliveries

🔘 Groceries

🔘 Beauty / wellness products and services

🔘 Electronics and gadgets

🔘 Home decor

✅ Subscriptions (apps, streaming services, memberships)

✅ Others : Anything with strawberries on it :)

🟣 What is one positive thing about your money behavior? 

I'm always learning about finances - every week!

🟣 Which one of your money habits do you suspect annoys your partner/family/friends?

I ask my partner to do financial balance sheet and budgeting updates every few months and he always says "didn't we just do this?" haha

🟣 On a scale of 1 to 10, how wealthy do you feel today? (1 not at all - 10 very)

10

🟣 On a scale of 1 to 10, how emotionally rich do you feel today? (1 not at all - 10 very)

10

🟣 What do you picture for your retirement era (or the life you would like to lead when you no longer want to work or rely on work to sustain your lifestyle)?

My financial goal is to save up/invest enough money to work for fun.

I left teaching to become a financial planner and I hope to return to teaching (only part-time) when I don't have to rely on it for income.

Alongside the joy of teaching, I plan to spend the rest of my time doing hobbies like dancing, art, horseback riding, playing board games, spending time with friends, etc !

And I'll probably spend some time doing free/cheap financial coaching/planning each week.

🟣 How do you feel about talking with others about how much you make, navigating raises, or the stress of job negotiations?

✅ Open: “I’m comfortable talking about this openly with anyone.”

🔘 Selective: “I’d discuss this, but only with certain people.”

🔘 Taboo: “This topic is off-limits—I’m not comfortable talking about it with anyone.”

🟣 Do you ever catch yourself saying things like, 'Investing is just for smart people,' 'Math was never my thing, so finance isn’t for me,' or 'I’m just not good with numbers, so why even try'?

🔘 Yes

🔘 Occasionally

🔘 Not often

✅ No

🟣 Are you more envious of:

(A) someone who is similar to you in most respects but is a bit wealthier (say 50% wealthier) or

(B) more envious of Bill Gates?

I'm more envious of Bill Gates and others like him - sometimes I daydream about what might happen if billionaires just redistributed all of their wealth...what would be possible??

🟣 What's a purchase that brought you lasting joy?

I splurged on a ridiculously expensive gaming chair and have never felt back pain while working or playing video games since!

🟣 You just won the lottery. What is the first cause you support?

Buying and donating land back to indigenous/native folks, especially in CA where I live! I am not Hawaiian, just do hula dancing for fun, but also buying and donating land back to indigenous/native Hawaiians too to say thank you for sharing their wonderful culture and lessons with me!

🟣 If you had to choose just one emotion that makes you hit ‘buy now’ the most, what would it be?

Clarity

🟣 When did you last feel financially envious of someone close to you?

I helped my little brother do some budgeting and realized he has literally 2 monthly bills - I'm financially envious of how little financial responsibility he has right now!

🟣 How would you feel sharing with others about debt, unpaid bills, or living paycheck to paycheck?

✅ Open: “I’m comfortable talking about this openly with anyone.”

🔘 Selective: “I’d discuss this, but only with certain people.”

🔘 Taboo: “This topic is off-limits—I’m not comfortable talking about it with anyone.”

🟣 Does your spending style resemble your parents, or did you rebel?

I definitely rebelled - I am much slower to buy anything and don't use shopping as therapy.

🟣 When was the last time money stress had you wanting to scream into a pillow?

Thankfully I haven't ever felt this way about money - just US politics lol.

🟣 Do you ever notice when you're spending because of emotions, rather than because you actually need something?

✅ Yes

🔘 Occasionally

🔘 Not often

🔘 No

🟣 On a scale of 0 to 10, how often do you feel like you’re caught in the cycle of wanting the next big thing, without it necessarily bringing happiness?

2

🟣 Do you pass the compulsive buying test?

You can take the test here.

Definitely - I'd say I'm usually the opposite of compulsive when it comes to buying - I take forever sometimes!

🟣 How do you feel talking with others about how money worries impact your mental health or trigger anxiety?

✅ Open: “I’m comfortable talking about this openly with anyone.”

🔘 Selective: “I’d discuss this, but only with certain people.”

🔘 Taboo: “This topic is off-limits—I’m not comfortable talking about it with anyone.”

🟣 What are three core values that you want to influence your financial decisions?

Environmentalism, happiness, care

🟣 Who handles the finances in your home?

My partner and I both handle the finances!

🟣 Clarify your wealth goals by finishing this sentence: "I would like to get richer so I can..."

help redistribute wealth and fight against wealth inequality.

🟣 Do you ever find yourself saying things like, 'I never have enough money,' or 'I can’t afford it,' even though you have savings, access to money if you needed it, or own more than one property?

🔘 Yes

🔘 Occasionally

🔘 Not often

✅ No

🟣 Is there a money habit of someone you know that secretly drives you insane?

I know several financially well off folks who get stressed spending ANY amount of money, which drives me nuts! Even though I know it's coming from an emotional place...it still annoys me.

🟣 Were you told you were not good at math as a kid? Has it affected your ability to handle money matters? Has it affected your confidence to handle money matters?

Math has always been my worst subject and thankfully I had 2 wonderful teachers later in life who finally showed me that I AM good at math, and I don't need to be fast or do math in my head to be good at math. I also love that we have spreadsheets, calculators, and other software now, because it doesn't matter if I'm good at math to be good at money matters with all these tools!

🟣 On a scale of 0 to 10, how intense is the pressure to keep up with trends for you? (Like fashion or tech trends.)

0

🟣 Do you ever catch yourself holding onto your money tightly, not spending it even when you could, and feeling like most people are just takers, always asking for more?

🔘 Yes

🔘 Occasionally

🔘 Not often

✅ No

🟣 How often do you find financial terminology and jargon confusing or intimidating?

🔘 Very often

✅ Often

🔘 Rarely

🔘 Never

🟣 What or who’s your vision of financial success?

Once I've got enough to take care of myself financially, I can freely spend and share the rest :)

🟣 Do you find yourself living on credit cards, constantly in debt, but still giving money away even when you know you shouldn’t?

🔘 Yes

🔘 Occassionally

🔘 Not often

✅ No

🟣 What are a couple of common sayings or proverbs about money in the country/ies you're from?

a penny saved is a penny earned, the love of money is the root of all evil

🟣 What’s your go-to ‘quick fix’ when you’re feeling down? Is it buying something? Food? If so, what kind of food? Is it scrolling? Or is it something else entirely?

Usually I realize I need to go outside for a walk or spend some time in nature - OR I go grab a chai latte or cinnamon roll!

🟣 What are your thoughts or feelings about the idea that "health is better than wealth"?

I would change this to say that health IS wealth! But yes - being healthy is better than being wealthy in my opinion, because how will you enjoy financial wealth if you can't be healthy?

🟣 Break your financial habits into three categories:
"Stop": One habit that no longer serves you
"Start": One new habit you'd like to build
"Continue": One habit that is working well

Stop buying online courses (haha),

Start budgeting more, and

Continue quarterly financial check-ins (like updating our financial balance sheet/net worth)

🟣 What would be on your dopamine menu?

Go for a walk, take a hike, read a book, play a video game, text a friend, look at cute animal videos, go have afternoon tea, pick up some trash, eat some strawberries!

🟣 What's a positive money experience that shaped your financial beliefs?

I remember going to a bank as a kid and they gave me a fake wooden coin with a very cute Scottish terrier on it, which they said would be my first 10 cents to put into my kiddie savings account. I just loved the cute doggy and I think that built really positive emotions around savings!

🟣 The zombie apocalypse is upon us. Which possession do you save?

My kindle so that I can carry all of my books with me as I escape!

🟣 How do you feel confiding in someone about hidden debt, secret spending, or financial decisions you’ve kept private?

✅ Open: “I’m comfortable talking about this openly with anyone.”

🔘 Selective: “I’d discuss this, but only with certain people.”

🔘 Taboo: “This topic is off-limits—I’m not comfortable talking about it with anyone.”

🟣 At what age did you start having your own money? Did you receive pocket money, or did you earn it through work?

I wasn't allowed to work for money until I was an adult - so I really treasured the ability to earn money once I did start working!

🟣 What emotions do you most associate with money? (3 minimum, more if it brings aaall the feels)

The feeling that if I manage my money well, it will bring peace - and if I don't, it'll feel chaotic! Like a lot of folks, I see money as a tool to live out and reach my values, like freedom, happiness, peace, generosity.

🟣 Take the Living to 100 Test to calculate your life expectancy.
Find out the retirement age in your country.
Now do this quick math exercise:
[Age you die] - [Age you retire] = [Years you have to fund yourself between retirement and death]

97 - 62 = 35

🟣 If you could time-travel and stop one money-related mistake, what would it be?

I would probably prevent Amazon from becoming a company...imagine the environmental impact of it never existing! But if this question was meant personally - then I'd want to go back to college and work in the dorms instead of living with my friends, because I would've saved so much money AND friendships!

🟣 What are your thoughts or feelings about the idea that 'Money is the root of all evil'?

Isn't this misquoted? I think it's "the love of money is the root of all evil"...and judging by the current state of the US, I'd agree!

🟣 Would you rather stick to a strict budget or wear wet socks all day?

I would much rather stick to a strict budget...I HAVE had to wear wet socks all day multiple times and it's disgusting.

🟣 How do you feel about discussing complex feelings around inheritance or family financial support with others?

✅ Open: “I’m comfortable talking about this openly with anyone.”

🔘 Selective: “I’d discuss this, but only with certain people.”

🔘 Taboo: “This topic is off-limits—I’m not comfortable talking about it with anyone.”

🟣 What steps have you taken in planning for your financial future?

🔘 I haven’t started planning anything

🔘 I think I have started but not sure

🔘 I’ve done some but not enough

🔘 I had but my situation has changed

✅ I’m on top of it & review regularly

🟣 On a scale of 0 to 10, how bad is your addiction to subscriptions?

6 - I'm pretty good at dropping subscriptions whenever I don't use them anymore, but I can't give up the ones that I actually use (even if I don't really 'need' them...)

🟣 If your bank account could talk, what would it reveal is your greatest extravagance?

My hobbies! Hula dancing, sewing, my rock climbing gym membership - I'm clearly blessed to be able to have the time and money to do all of these things!

🟣 If you could magically double your income but had to work twice as hard, would you do it?

Definitely not - I think we all need to figure out what is "enough" for us financially and then go live our lives!

🟣 Do you know how much your friends make in real figures?

Not really, but I wouldn't be afraid to ask - just hasn't come up yet!

🟣 What's your favourite tool for managing your finances?

Google Drive / Spreadsheets, although I'm testing out You Need A Budget right now!

🟣 Who would you like to see on a new banknote?

Recently in the US, we had Edith Kanaka'ole, who helped preserve and pass on the Hawaiian language and culture, on a quarter! I'd love to see another US indigenous leader put on a new banknote.

💜 Thank you for sharing with us, Gabbi

And well done you for reading all the way through. Learning about other people’s personal money stories helps make money conversations a regular, comfortable part of your life. It’s not just a window into someone else’s world. It also holds up a mirror to your own. You might recognize parts of yourself, challenge long-held beliefs, or feel less alone.

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Pauline 💜