Vivian Tu: 3 things I wish I knew when I was broke

3 things I wish I knew when I was broke

Finance doesn't have to feel like a foreign language. Wall Street trader-turned-financial educator Vivian Tu helps millions of people make sense of money, breaking down complex concepts into everyday terms you can understand. She shares how she broke free from the stress of living paycheck to paycheck — and explores how we can shift power structures to give everyone a real shot at building wealth.

For many young adults, even a Wall Street job can mean living paycheck to paycheck and facing the sting of a declined credit card. Decades of unequal systems and missing education have left most people confused about money, but that’s changing fast. With financial knowledge now widely accessible, new tools and online communities are helping more people take control. When conversations about money become open and honest, the pathway to security and wealth grows clearer for everyone.

Financial Literacy Is Power—And Anyone Can Claim It Now

Financial know-how is no longer reserved for the already wealthy. Once embarrassed by a declined card at a New York bar, she now champions a movement where anyone can learn the language of money, find community, and access modern tools that make wealth-building accessible. As conversations about money move online and apps replace outdated systems, young people are reclaiming financial power. This shift promises a future with fewer declined cards and a shrinking wealth gap.

The New Rules Of Money Empower A Generation To Build Wealth

Financial stress can feel overwhelming, even for those working high-powered jobs. One vivid moment—waiting until midnight for a paycheck to clear just to pay a bar tab—shows how common it is to live paycheck to paycheck. Deep gaps in financial education and outdated advice keep many outsiders from the tools and language of wealth. Today, new resources and open dialogue are reshaping who gets to feel confident about money and how future generations might thrive.