The Bank of Mom & Dad was an eye-opening experience for me. Not only did I actually stare at my debt face-to-face, I had to take a long, hard look inwardly at myself asking, “What am I really all about?” I had such a hard time on the show trying to figure out the number one thing I wanted in life, or the number one thing I wanted to do once out of debt. Not only am I an indecisive person, but I truly didn’t know! Sometimes I feel like my life is going so fast that I don’t have time to worry about my true wants and desires. I just live life as it happens and take things in stride without actually planning and setting goals for myself. I also always have trouble when deciding my “superlatives” about myself, such as “What is my favorite movie? What is my best feature? What is my favorite restaurant? If I could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?” Maybe it is normal I don’t always know what I want. But I also realize that if I would take more time with myself and my thoughts, I might have some of these questions answered.

MY NEW BUDGET:
I have stayed on track with my budget so far! The first month I actually came in under-budget for a few areas and I was so proud and excited. But now I am beginning to fear my debt again. Sometimes I look at my situation and get very stressed and anxious and wonder if I’ll ever get out of debt. But I know it will take a lot of patience, persistence, and prayer to get me through. I haven’t purchased anything major, not even clothing-wise, since the show. I am truly trying to keep my spending at a minimum and keep my planning and budgeting at a maximum!

MY DEBT REVEALED?!:
I was extremely nervous to reveal my debt on television! I always try to “keep up appearances,” and present myself in a very confident way, as if I “have it all together.” Obviously, from a financial standpoint, this is not true. I am embarrassed of my debt. I just don’t understand how a smart, motivated girl like myself can let my money slip away like that. I blame it on my schedule and leading a fast-paced life. I was so motivated by other things that I was not motivated to keep track of my money, which lead to procrastination, which lead to despising checking my bank and card balances, which lead to debt. I wanted to be a comfortable spender without really thinking long-term.

WHY WOULD ANYONE DO THAT on TELEVISION?:
The main reason for doing the show was not to “become famous” or “be on television” but it was seriously to learn about finances. It’s daunting to face your debt crisis, so I thought this would be a fun way to do it. Besides, I knew it would cause me to work even harder to get out of debt fast because now, potentially, the “whole world” knows about my situation! Now I have to prove to every viewer out there that I can do it! It was a great way to motivate myself to get MOVING, and PAY OFF THE DEBT!

OH THE PARENTS:
My parents and I have always been pretty close, and we get along very well. Although I must admit, it was difficult to live with them for a few days straight, especially when all you deal with each day is of a financial matter. For me, I can get frustrated with my parents pretty easily as I am not entirely comfortable letting them into every aspect of my life. I like my independence. I like to pretend like a know-it-all who doesn’t need any help from anyone. I’ve realized that I need to accept help more often! My parents are super-smart, and to shut them out of areas of my life is just plain ignorant. So, now, I am willing to talk with them more about money and other things. I’ve learned to become more open to them and to remember to respect their wisdom. I love you, Mom and Dad! Thanks for doing the show and for all your help!!!

FRIENDS RULE!:
Overall, my friends think it’s pretty neat that I got to take advantage of such an opportunity! Most of them are impressed with the whole appearing on television thing. I hope that my story helps impact them to lead a financially healthy life.

MESSAGE TO PAGEANT WORLD:
The pageant world, I would hope, is supportive of my decision to do the show. Miss America girls are known for their smarts, confidence, talent, and professionalism. Revealing my debt can either make me look like a failure, or it can make me look like someone who is brave enough to tackle a problem that so many other young women face. I would hope that pageant world sees this as a “platform”: an issue I am representing and taking a stand for. I had to be bold enough to delve into my debt and share it with the world. I want other girls to find common ground with a least one aspect of my story so they can learn from my experiences, good and bad.

MY GREATEST REVELATION:
Since my experience with Bank of Mom & Dad, I’ve had not only a financial revelation, but an even deeper one. I’ve realized that although I thought I was guarded against it, I’ve let myself slip into a mindset of vanity: looking your best, constantly worrying about image and striving to attain the body you will never have. I’ve realized that those characteristics do not match what my heart is truly like

Yes, I want to look great and make good impressions and wear flawless makeup and tease my hair, but I’d rather be more consumed by my love for others, my natural optimism, my heart for charity and my faith in God.

It’s hard to break the “pageant girl” mindset, but it’s something I have to do. Although I will still be involved in pageant world with my new talent-coaching business, I need to be honest with my true self and make sure that love and selflessness prevail before all else. In pageant world it is too easy to become self-absorbed and over-confident. Pageants girls need to remember, myself included, that serving and loving others will help you to keep a clean heart when you are called to enter such an arena. Even as a two-time Miss Congeniality winner, I need to keep myself accountable.

FINANCIAL ADVICE TO MY FELLOW YOUNG WOMEN:
Listen to your parents, Don’t be afraid to take time to focus inwardly on yourself, Figure out the kind of life you really want to lead and how money plays into that, Enter pageant world with a financially savvy mind! Don’t let your heart and your faith get swept away by worldly wants. Seek God in all you do… especially when dealing with finances!

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