Shenita Leslie, a 40-year-old woman from Houston, Texas, shares her journey towards financial independence and a debt-free life.

Despite graduating during the Great Recession and accumulating significant student loan debt, she refused to give up on her financial goals.

Shenita believes the American dream is not confined to a traditional path of education, career, and material possessions.

Her dream is to live free from debt and create a life on her terms.

She achieved this through multiple streams of income, including a full-time job and side hustles like DoorDash and freelance riding.

Utilizing zero-sum budgeting, Shenita meticulously tracks every dollar she earns and allocates it to specific expenses.

She prioritizes her physical and mental well-being by starting each day with a gym workout, regardless of her other obligations.

To save money, she opts for affordable housing and uses public transportation combined with cycling to navigate Houston.

Inspired by her family’s history in education, Shenita graduated with $101,000 in student loan debt.

However, she qualified for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and after years of service, her federal loans were forgiven, freeing her from this burden.

Shenita is cautious about credit card debt, learning from past experiences.

She prefers to rent while renting to build a strong financial foundation before considering a mortgage for a rental property.

By controlling her expenses, Shenita has gained significant flexibility in her budget, allowing her to prioritize her passions, including travel, spending time with loved ones, and pursuing creative interests.

Her journey serves as a reminder that the American dream can be redefined and that financial freedom is not just about accumulating wealth but living life free from financial constraints and pursuing what truly matters.

Debt freedom should not be limited by life circumstances.

Even after graduating during the Great Recession and accumulating significant student loan debt, Shenita refused to give up on her financial goals and achieved debt freedom through alternative income streams and budgeting.

Redefine the American dream for greater fulfillment.

Shenita’s American dream is not centered around material possessions but living free from financial constraints and pursuing passions, such as travel, spending time with loved ones, and creative interests.

Budgeting and financial discipline are integral to financial freedom.

Shenita meticulously tracks her expenses using zero-sum budgeting, prioritizing her well-being and utilizing affordable housing and public transportation to save money.