Neo Financial reposted this
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak on a panel with Neo Financial about personal finance from a newcomer and immigrant perspective. One thing that stood out to me was how many people were surprised by something I thought was common knowledge. A lot of us as immigrants approach money from a survival mindset. We become so focused on saving, cutting costs, and holding onto every dollar that money starts feeling scarce, even when we're earning more than we were before. And while being financially responsible matters, I've learned that constantly obsessing over every dollar isn't always the answer. One of the biggest shifts that helped me was automating my finances. Before money even reaches my chequing account, a portion automatically goes toward: • Investments • Savings • Credit card payments • Other financial goals That means the money I actually see in my account is money I can spend without constantly second-guessing every purchase. The best part? You don't need to wait until you're making six figures to start. Whether you're making $1,000 a month as a student or significantly more later in your career, the principle stays the same: Pay your future self first. The percentage may change as your income grows. The habit shouldn't. Curious, what's one money lesson you wish you had learned earlier in your newcomer journey? #immigrant #finances #advice