Interview Notes
Certified Financial Planner and bestselling author Shannon Lee Simmons (founder of the New School of Finance) breaks down how college students and new grads can build real-world money habits without the guilt spiral. She shares her “worry-free money” approach about aligning spending with your values, ditching shame, and using simple systems that actually work. Expect practical tactics like the two-checking-account method (bills vs. spending), splitting rent across paychecks, starting a small but steady emergency fund (in cash, not stocks), and learning when to split savings vs. debt payments.
Shannon also discusses how to evaluate side hustles, why frictionless spending via apps like Uber Eats or “buy now, pay later” can quietly drain budgets, and how to measure your emotional ROI to spend on what truly brings joy.
The big takeaway: consistency beats perfection, small wins build momentum, and keeping hope alive is the ultimate financial skill.
Key Questions Discussed
- What inspired you to focus on helping young adults develop healthy financial habits?
- How can students build a simple, guilt-free budgeting system that actually works?
- When is a side hustle worth it financially and emotionally?
- How should students start saving for emergencies without feeling overwhelmed?
- What are realistic ways to manage rising living costs without feeling deprived?
- What’s your most encouraging advice for students who feel anxious or hopeless about money?
Who is Shannon Lee Simmons?
Annie Lambert
specializes in creating authoritative content on marketing, business, and finance, with a versatile ability to handle any essay type and dissertations. With a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a passion for social issues, her writing not only educates but also inspires action. On EssayPro blog, Annie delivers detailed guides and thought-provoking discussions on pressing economic and social topics. When not writing, she’s a guest speaker at various business seminars.
