Courtney Harrell (Host)

For Victoria, the biggest challenge is the salary. It's no secret that teachers don't make a lot of money in the U.S., but Victoria makes even less because she's still working towards her teacher's license. As a teacher's assistant, Victoria makes $35,000 a year, $29,000 after taxes, and that doesn't include health or dental insurance.

At 30, Victoria is starting to feel desperate for a little more stability than 35K can give her. And there is one thing that would change her salary dramatically, getting that teaching license. But that costs money. It costs time. And Victoria doesn't have either right now.

At 30, Victoria is starting to feel desperate for a little more stability than 35K can give her. And there is one thing that would change her salary dramatically, getting that teaching license. But that costs money. It costs time. And Victoria doesn't have either right now.

At 30, Victoria is starting to feel desperate for a little more stability than 35K can give her. And there is one thing that would change her salary dramatically, getting that teaching license. But that costs money. It costs time. And Victoria doesn't have either right now.

This week, we'll hear what it's like for Victoria to get by on a teacher's assistant wage while she tries to answer some big questions. How do I make my situation better? How can I set myself up for the life that I want? I'm Courtney Harrell, and this is What We Spend. What was money like growing up? Tight.

This week, we'll hear what it's like for Victoria to get by on a teacher's assistant wage while she tries to answer some big questions. How do I make my situation better? How can I set myself up for the life that I want? I'm Courtney Harrell, and this is What We Spend. What was money like growing up? Tight.

This week, we'll hear what it's like for Victoria to get by on a teacher's assistant wage while she tries to answer some big questions. How do I make my situation better? How can I set myself up for the life that I want? I'm Courtney Harrell, and this is What We Spend. What was money like growing up? Tight.

It was bad. What does that mean?

It was bad. What does that mean?

It was bad. What does that mean?

Victoria graduated with a degree in art administration. She thought she might be a curator in an art gallery. But she quickly found that those jobs didn't pay enough. So after college, she experimented with a lot of different ways to make money. From working as an assistant, to teaching piano lessons, to teaching yoga, to learning to code.

Victoria graduated with a degree in art administration. She thought she might be a curator in an art gallery. But she quickly found that those jobs didn't pay enough. So after college, she experimented with a lot of different ways to make money. From working as an assistant, to teaching piano lessons, to teaching yoga, to learning to code.

Victoria graduated with a degree in art administration. She thought she might be a curator in an art gallery. But she quickly found that those jobs didn't pay enough. So after college, she experimented with a lot of different ways to make money. From working as an assistant, to teaching piano lessons, to teaching yoga, to learning to code.

So how did you end up getting to preschool teacher assistant? So...

So how did you end up getting to preschool teacher assistant? So...

So how did you end up getting to preschool teacher assistant? So...

So like that moment for you was in part like, I'm going to go find something where I feel more engaged. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Victoria did think being a preschool teacher might be a good fit because she knew that she loved being with kids. Growing up, her mom was actually a home daycare provider.

So like that moment for you was in part like, I'm going to go find something where I feel more engaged. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Victoria did think being a preschool teacher might be a good fit because she knew that she loved being with kids. Growing up, her mom was actually a home daycare provider.

So like that moment for you was in part like, I'm going to go find something where I feel more engaged. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Victoria did think being a preschool teacher might be a good fit because she knew that she loved being with kids. Growing up, her mom was actually a home daycare provider.

Do you talk to them about your financial situation now?