Courtney Harrell (Host)

Before college, she'd been interested in being a public defender, or exploring creative opportunities, maybe in the fashion industry. But she knew neither of those paths guaranteed stability.

By giving up the dream of the perfect job, Helena achieved another dream, financial independence.

By giving up the dream of the perfect job, Helena achieved another dream, financial independence.

By giving up the dream of the perfect job, Helena achieved another dream, financial independence.

Helena and her boyfriend Ollie have been together for three years, and when they started dating, Helena could immediately tell that he felt much more financially free.

Helena and her boyfriend Ollie have been together for three years, and when they started dating, Helena could immediately tell that he felt much more financially free.

Helena and her boyfriend Ollie have been together for three years, and when they started dating, Helena could immediately tell that he felt much more financially free.

What do you think happened? Like, what happened for you at the point between him saying you're never going to be able to enjoy your life if you don't work on this and you being able to be on a trip and spend money and be like, oh, I'm enjoying this. Like, what do you think happened?

What do you think happened? Like, what happened for you at the point between him saying you're never going to be able to enjoy your life if you don't work on this and you being able to be on a trip and spend money and be like, oh, I'm enjoying this. Like, what do you think happened?

What do you think happened? Like, what happened for you at the point between him saying you're never going to be able to enjoy your life if you don't work on this and you being able to be on a trip and spend money and be like, oh, I'm enjoying this. Like, what do you think happened?

Helena knew a lot of her friends' parents had taught them how to open an investment account somewhere like Merrill Lynch. And she decided to pursue that herself. So she set up an appointment with an advisor and then opened an account where she started putting a portion of every paycheck.

Helena knew a lot of her friends' parents had taught them how to open an investment account somewhere like Merrill Lynch. And she decided to pursue that herself. So she set up an appointment with an advisor and then opened an account where she started putting a portion of every paycheck.

Helena knew a lot of her friends' parents had taught them how to open an investment account somewhere like Merrill Lynch. And she decided to pursue that herself. So she set up an appointment with an advisor and then opened an account where she started putting a portion of every paycheck.

Total for day four, $204.90.

Total for day four, $204.90.

Total for day four, $204.90.

On day five, Helena also filled up her tank for $70, bringing her total for the day to $106. On day six, Helena worked from home, then ran by the grocery store to grab a couple things for a dinner party at a friend's house.

On day five, Helena also filled up her tank for $70, bringing her total for the day to $106. On day six, Helena worked from home, then ran by the grocery store to grab a couple things for a dinner party at a friend's house.

On day five, Helena also filled up her tank for $70, bringing her total for the day to $106. On day six, Helena worked from home, then ran by the grocery store to grab a couple things for a dinner party at a friend's house.

On day six, Helena also made a $500 donation to a retirement fund for an acquaintance, bringing her total for the day to $676.92.