The Student Saver: Christine's Path to Financial Wellness
In the busy world of college life, Christine Kangah stands out as an inspiring example of financial prudence. Originally from France and now residing in New Brunswick, Christine seamlessly juggles her roles as a part-time laboratory technologist at Georges-L-Dumont Hospital and a full-time student at the University of Moncton. Despite the whirlwind of textbooks, tuition fees, and late-night study sessions, Christine has made financial wellness a priority in her life. From diligently managing bill payments to establishing an emergency fund and saving for future endeavors like paying off her student loan and treating herself to a post-graduation getaway, her journey underscores the importance of smart saving practices, even on a student budget. Whether you're a student or not, Christine's story is bound to inspire you to take control of your finances. Remember, sharing is caring—don't hesitate to pass on her story to the students in your circle, empowering them to embark on their own journey toward financial well-being.
[QUBER] Hi Christine! How did you find QUBER? How long have you been using it to save money?
[Christine] I found Quber the first time they launched the app when I read an article in the newspaper. I found it was something interesting to try and ever since I have been using it.
Before QUBER, how did you handle sudden expenses or plan for things you wanted?
I didn’t really because when you have a bank account you have 3 types of accounts - chequing, accounting and savings, but not really anywhere to save money for a specific goal.
What did you save for using QUBER? What goals did you reach? What are you most proud of?
I saved to pay for a vacation because I worked so hard in university for 2 years and I will graduate next year. I also saved for an emergency fund, I didn’t know to do this until I read something and now I’m really proud to have emergency savings.
Did you think you could save money before QUBER? Does QUBER help you save more now and how do you continue to push yourself to save even more?
When you have the money in your bank account it is so much easier to take money to use it because you want to have something fast or when you have a impulsive buy. With Quber , the money is not immediately there so I have time to change my mind and I have time to question myself if I really want this or not.
The things I love about Quber are the challenges because i can choose when I want to start savings and I know when I finish, and Quber gives us rewards at the end with the incentives . So , since June 2023, I’ve saved nearly 1600$ and most of it through saving challenges.
I will continue to use Quber to save more because I have a lot of things I want to do , I need to save money and this way is very good.
How do you manage your money for bills and regular expenses?
For day to day I know exactly the amount of bills I have. I use Quber when I have extra money and to force me to save money and not expense for something I don’t need.
If you could go back, what money advice would you give your younger self?
Save money for everything, don’t buy useless things you don’t need or because something is trending.
What was your aha moment with saving money?
Because I would like to buy a house one day , and because in the past I struggled to live without money, as I dealt with a big mental health crisis. I don’t want to live like that again, so everything I can save, I save, and more when I do overtime at work.
What will you save for next year and how will you stay on track?
For next year I will save for a another emergency fund with a big amount of money, and saving to pay my student loan . And I will continue to save for a house.
Any advice for someone starting with QUBER or feeling unsure about saving money?
Don’t be afraid to save money with Quber, when you see how much money you can save, you will be really proud of yourself. You’ll see that you are capable of saving money even when it’s a tiny amount of money.
Christine's journey with QUBER serves as an impressive example of how students can navigate financial management with confidence and perserverance. Through intentional saving and disciplined spending, she has built the right financial habits to last a lifetime and has also set the stage for achieving her dreams beyond graduation. As we celebrate Christine's success, let her story inspire students everywhere to embark on their own paths to financial wellness. Even the smallest steps towards saving can lead to significant milestones. Help us share her message with other student savers to help them take the first step towards a brighter financial future today.
Christine, thank you for generously sharing your inspiring journey. We look forward to hearing about your graduation and celebrating when you buy your first home!
Like Christine, your story matters too. Share how you're doing on your money journey – the ups, the downs, and the wins. If you’ve got a story to share, reach out to contactus@qubersavings.com. Your story will serve as motivation to help countless others on their financial journey.
Come join us in celebrating the little wins and pushing others to do the same on their money adventures!