Natasha's Journey: A Story of Financial Resilience and Triumph

At the heart of QUBER lies a commitment to empowering individuals toward financial wellness. Meet Natasha, whose journey encapsulates the powerful impact of QUBER's financial wellness program, coupled with her will and determination. Her story echoes resilience, strength of character, and the power of embracing financial control despite facing challenges. Our hope is that her story motivates others to take action to make small, consistent, positive changes with their money.

[QUBER] Hi Natasha! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

[Natasha] I am the eldest of three and I was raised in a single parent household. My mom, myself and my siblings moved to Canada in 2007, with minimal resources as refugees. Our mom was fleeing a domestic violence situation with her ex partner. The journey to where I am today has been full of challenges and obstacles but I've learnt resilience and perseverance in overcoming them. They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger - right? Haha I am happy to call Canada my home and safe haven. 

How did you find QUBER? How long have you been using it to save money?

I decided to be proactive with my finances and complete a financial literacy program through Momentum. Whilst in the program, I discovered that Momentum had a savings challenge through Quber and I gave it a shot! I stuck with the challenge of saving $20 biweekly for about 11 months and felt so accomplished once I completed it. I promised myself I wouldn't cash out until the challenge was complete and I honoured myself by following through. 

Before QUBER, how did you handle sudden expenses or plan for things you wanted?

I never learnt how to budget, how to save, how to track my expenses or how to manage debt properly. I essentially would just wing it with my finances. My mom did the best she could but like many other immigrants in Canada, her financial literacy wasn't great. When I ran into sudden expenses, I would usually rely on credit or on very odd occasions borrow funds from friends. 

What did you save for using QUBER? What goals did you reach? What are you most proud of?

I saved up for my trip to London this coming January 2024! I bought my plane ticket with the funds that I saved a couple weeks ago and I can proudly say I am also successfully budgeting for my trip expenses (food, leisure activities etc.). I am so proud that I planned ahead and I don't have to rely on my credit card for this trip! 

I also successfully paid off my high interest provincial student loan from my undergraduate studies this year in September! Now I am slowly paying off my credit card and my credit score has improved significantly. 

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?

I didn't have the discipline to save and would often tell myself I didn't have enough money left over to save, after paying all my bills. I have since realized even small amounts of biweekly pre-authorized savings really add up over time. Quber helps me a ton because the money is out of sight and out of mind. The challenges are very flexible and there are so many to choose from. I can choose an amount I deem manageable and a length of time I am comfortable committing to. The app does all the work by pulling bi-weekly payments and tucking the funds away for me.

What motivates me to save is that I want to live as debt-free as possible, maintain a good credit score and have a healthy relationship with my finances where I feel in control! Finances are not as daunting once you educate yourself and build financial literacy. 

How do you manage your money for bills and regular expenses?

My strategy is the first thing I do when I receive my pay check is to pay my bills, transfer a portion of my income to savings and have a smaller amount leftover for everyday purchases. I prioritize paying my bills so that I don't fall behind on them.

If you could go back, what money advice would you give your younger self?

I would understand credit and the credit score system before using a credit card at the young and tender age of 18 haha I would also learn how to budget, save and track my expenses! I would have done a financial literacy course for youth or gone to an organization where I could have been mentored in my finances. 

What was your aha moment with saving money?

Making interest only payments or minimum balance payments on credit cards or high interest loans does absolutely nothing. It's so important to pay off the principal balance and attack the highest interest loan/credit card first. It's also so important to track your expenses because variable expenses will completely mess up your budget. Another thing is, if you don't budget for things like vacations/birthdays/spontaneous activities, you wind up putting yourself in more debt by relying on your credit card and it continues a vicious loop of paying off debt and putting yourself back in debt.

What will you save for next year and how will you stay on track?

I am saving up for a home, another vacation later on in the year and a vehicle. I will likely use Quber, open an FHSA and also take advantage of my liquid savings account at my bank. Automatic transfers from my checking account to Quber, my FHSA and my savings account will keep me disciplined and ensure the savings are consistently transferred and uninterrupted.

Any advice for someone starting with QUBER or feeling unsure about saving money?

Give it a try! The best time to start is now. No excuses! You will likely spend that money on Starbucks/Tim Hortons or food (let's be honest)! Even if you start a small challenge of $20 biweekly and really push yourself to see the challenge through without withdrawing the funds early, you will see how satisfied you are in the end. It is so worth it in the end. Invest in yourself and your growth! 

Natasha's journey with QUBER underscores the incredible transformation that arises from taking small yet consistent steps towards financial well-being. Her story is a testament to resilience, illustrating the impact of determination and patience. Like Natasha, we have heard countless stories of people who never thought they could save money. Start with $10 a week. You’ll be surprised at how your savings will add up and your money habits change.

Natasha, thank you for generously sharing your inspiring journey. Your story serves as motivation for anyone striving to improve their financial health.

To all our readers, consider Natasha's journey as an inspiration to take that crucial first step towards financial empowerment. It's not about drastic changes overnight but rather about small, consistent actions. Whether it's setting aside a small amount regularly or tracking your bill payments, every step counts.

Your story matters too! We encourage you to share your experiences, challenges, and triumphs in your journey towards financial well-being. Together, let's create a community where everyone feels empowered to take control of their financial futures.

Join us in celebrating these small victories and inspiring others on their path to financial wellness!