About Me
Hola, I’m Karen. I’m a financial coach, wife, mom of 3, and the proud daughter of immigrants. I help career-driven professionals and couples who are thriving at work but still stressed about money feel clear, confident, and in control, so they can build a life with more freedom and more peace.
My Story
Growing up, I believed the answer to financial stress was simple: make more money. Like a lot of first-gen kids, I thought that if I got good grades, worked hard, and moved up in my career, everything else would fall into place. In many ways, it did… just not the money part.
Even with good incomes, my husband and I were carrying more than $200,000 in debt, including student loans and a personal loan for a property we bought but couldn’t really afford. The wake-up call came after a quick Target run, when our bank balance was almost zero. We made good money and had done everything “right.” How was this even possible?
Somewhere along the way, I realized that if no one had taught me this money stuff growing up, no one ever would. It wasn’t my fault, but it was my responsibility to figure it out, for myself and for my kids.
Once we got clear and on the same page, we built simple systems that fit our real life. We stayed committed and paid it all off, including the last $100,000 in just 15 months.
What I Learned
Yes, we paid off the debt, and yes, our savings and investments grew more than I ever imagined. But the biggest change was realizing that I was the one in charge of our money. Financial confidence doesn’t come from a promotion or a raise. It comes from understanding your values and building money systems that support the life you want. Money stopped being a source of stress and became a tool for building our future.
Who I Help
When friends, family, and coworkers started asking what we had done differently, I found myself loving those conversations. Watching someone go from overwhelmed to “wait, I can actually do this” is still my favorite thing, and it’s why I started The Money Chica.
Today I work with professionals and couples who are ready to stop guessing with their money. They don’t need complicated financial advice. They need a simple plan, someone in their corner, and the accountability to follow through. Most importantly, we have FUN along the way! Because life’s too short to do hard things alone and not enjoy the journey.
Ready to Make Your Money Work for Your Life?
You’ve worked too hard to keep stressing about money. Let’s build a plan that fits your life.
