2016: After a year of recovery, though I was not fully back to myself and still in physical therapy, I returned to work full time entering my 4th year as an educator. By the end of the school year, I was promoted to an administrator, doubling my income. Without financial literacy, I also quickly doubled my expenses with no investments, no savings, and no plan.

2018: I stepped into a new leadership role at another school and increased my income again. I began trying to budget and pay off some things, but without intentionality or accountability. I was earning more, doing “better,” yet still not seeing the impact of the raises I received.

2020: I finally added up the numbers. I was carrying $72,698 in debt across medical bills, credit cards, student loans, an auto loan, and a personal loan. I made a decision to face it and create a plan.

Through discipline, focus, and God’s grace, I paid off every dollar in six months and saved my first $15,000 emergency fund. I started sharing my journey with everyone around me and began coaching friends and family to do the same.

Later, I slipped back into some debt again, because I had hustled my way out the first time without fully addressing my habits and beliefs. That second journey taught me what true stewardship looks like. I rebuilt slowly and intentionally, changing not just the numbers but the patterns behind them.

2022: I bought my first home as a single mom and celebrated the journey with my son,

2023: I got engaged and walked with my husband-to-be on his own path toward debt freedom.

2024: I married, and today my husband and I, together with our son, are committed to walking in purpose and building legacy intentionally.

Raising the Marks (a play on my maiden name Marks and my belief in raising the standard of how we live our lives back to Gods original design and plan) was born out of that journey. It is a reminder that every choice is a mark we leave on our lives and the generations that follow us.