Hi! I'm Kristin.
I began my career in 2014 as a Registered Nurse in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit. I fell in love with the job and truly enjoyed caring for my patients. As many nurses can attest, COVID changed everything. Suddenly I had to rush my care and cut corners as I was assigned more patients. I was expected to do work outside of my regular hours and maxed out on my pay as a staff nurse within the first two years of my career. It was defeating. I was always the person that my coworkers, friends and family would come to with questions about personal finance. That became my next passion, and I left healthcare entirely in summer of 2022.
My Inspiration
I will never forget the day I decided to take charge of my finances. I had just accepted my first real nursing job and was going to be making more money than I ever had. I had big goals: buy a home and a car, pay for trips with cash, and have a baby. I knew that I couldn't just expect it to happen, so I got to work with my budget. In the first year of my career, I was able to fill up my emergency fund, save for expected (and unexpected) expenses, and reach all of my financial goals. I was addicted, and felt so empowered. Those tools continued helped me to fund a 6-month maternity leave, navigate a divorce, and thrive as a single parent on one income. Money was no longer a prison, it was a tool that I could use for my success.
Qualifications
I worked in Albuquerque's major healthcare systems for 8 years and understand the unique problems in healthcare workers face. In my time as a nurse, I earned a Master's degree in Healthcare Leadership. I am a YNAB Certified Budget Coach (2023) and am currently a candidate for the Accredited Financial Counselor designation. In 2023 I became a coach and coach trainer on the MyBudgetCoach platform.
