Project Money 18: Meet Ana

June 22, 2026

My History

I moved to Madison WI on October 11th, 2003. I met my ex husband in Caracas-Venezuela
where I am originally from. We met there, fell in love and got married there and, before the
political situation in my country got worse, we made the decision to move to the USA.

We had two beautiful kids, born and raised here in Madison. After 11 years of marriage,
we found ourselves unable to maintain our relationship, and for reasons beyond my
control, we decided to break up. So I had been a single mom for 10 years.

It has not been easy for me to start over by myself, while in the meantime understanding
and learning cultural aspects, but for me personally; the financial system has been one of
the hardest to understand and grow. Still I had struggles to keep my badgers, covering
monthly and emergencies expenses. But on the other hand I could say that I had been
standing up and I am ready to reach my personal goals.

Goals

1. Pay off my credit card.
2. Make a budget plan that really works for me.
3. Add more money monthly to my retirement plan.
4. Add more money monthly to my actual saved account.
5. Fix my car's front bumper.( I would like to learn how use my car insurances benefits,
seem like I do not know how use it)
6. Invest in stacks.
7. Develop my business plan.
8. Buy a house.
9. Help my kids to make a professional career.
10. Continuing to help my family economically in Venezuela, until the economic system
improves there.

What I had been learning from my couch?

I learned that I could build personalized money management skills, focusing on actionable
steps like: creating a budget, a plan to pay off my credit card, and how I could increase my
income to add more into my savings, account and retirement plan.

We discussed what I would like to achieve; build an emergency fund, I need to fix my car’s
front bumper, ( How I can use my car insurance to fix it) ,develop a business plan I have,
buy a house and also help my kids with college. We reviewed my monthly and emergency
spending through my statements and spending receipts.

We determine the days and hours we are going to work together through.

My Financial Habits

I set up recurring bills on auto- pay to avoid late feeds, I route a portion of my
payment check straight into my retirement plan. I used to review my account,
categorize my spending and adjust my goals if necessary.

I am working on paying off my credit card.

My Ah-Ha moment was last year when I finally paid off my car.

What am I proud of

I feel very proud to still be standing up, after the whole process I had been living since I
moved to the USA, and still have the strength to build a better financial future for myself,
my children and my family. I am so proud that I am still here and showing myself that
everything is possible to reach and not giving up is the best way to grow doesn't matter
where you are.