The gift of financial advice

Have you received the gift of financial advice? In celebration of Mother’s Day, some of HawaiiUSA’s financial coaches share favorite money wisdom from women in their lives.

Saving for emergencies

For Aaron Clevenger, his aunty Marjorie Nishimura’s actions said it all. “It was the example she showed: always having money aside for emergencies. You never know what may happen, or when you will need the additional funds.”

“When the rainy day comes, make sure you continue to save for the next rainy day,” reminds Lauren Sodetani-Yoshida’s mother, Sharon Sodetani. Anyone who’s had to dip into their emergency savings will agree. As soon as the rain clears, make it a priority to build the fund back up so you’re prepared when the next storm hits.

Planning for the future

For Emi Au, her parents’ divorce fast-tracked her financial independence. “My mom, a preschool teacher, was not the bread winner. In my late teens as I prepared to go to college, my mom decided she wanted to get a divorce. I was closer to my mom, so I stayed with her, but I had to financially support my college choices through student loans, financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. I also decided to focus on my career to avoid being financially dependent on another person. Her life lesson taught me a great lesson about financial freedom.”

Giving

Dana Low’s mother, Cheryl Castro, instilled in her children the values of saving and giving. “She used to say ‘Every payday, put away some money. It’s not how much you put away, it’s all about consistency.’ And that was always followed by: ‘If you have extra money, any amount, give to your favorite charity.’ I learned to treat saving like a bill that needs to be paid every payday, and that giving—even the smallest amount—means you have achieved a priceless level of financial health.”

HawaiiUSA’s financial coaches are certified professionals who have completed a rigorous study and testing program, in addition to their everyday roles at the credit union. They provide complimentary guidance to help individuals improve their financial health.

Get in touch with a financial coach today to get started with saving for emergencies, planning for your future, and more.