When I became a mother 12 years ago, I decided that I would not allow parenting to stop me from “living.” I was determined to accomplish all of my goals and aspirations despite motherhood. Notice this: throughout the years, I’ve said *despite* motherhood instead of *in addition to*. What I had done unknowingly was separate my enjoyment of life and self-identity from parenting. I began to see both my role as a parent and my child as responsibilities instead of positive and interactive parts of my life. How did this happen? I’d converted the fear of being a burden on my mother growing up into a mantra of not allowing myself to be “burdened” the same way. However good the intention, the method was still completely wrong and, in turn, a different form of neglect was crafted. (All unknowingly.) My oldest daughter has said these things to me: “You’re always too busy.” “You never make time; I’ll wait until you have time for me.”

This summer I had an unexpected career pause. Unexpected because it wasn’t my desired outcome but not unprepared because I’ve learned a while back to be financially disciplined for rainy days and hard times. My livelihood is in nursing and for three years now, I’ve been working as a travel nurse. A very popular road traveled due to the pandemic that we’ve just experienced along with the cultural excitement and desire of fast money that entices us all. The problem is this, when there is no contract, there is no paycheck. Hence, the importance of financial literacy and disciplines.