On this week's episode of the podcast I'm talking to Carmen Perez who had to face the truth about her credit and finances when she was sued over her student loan. She then hustled to pay off $57,000 of debt in a little over 2 ½ years and with a background in finance and a six-figure salary to match, Carmen went from being a “Wall Street dropout” to a woman who codes. Besides being a successful software engineer, Carmen is also the creator of Make Real Cents, a blog dedicated to helping people achieve financial greatness by teaching them about personal finance. In this week’s Journey to Launch podcast, you’ll learn what tools Carmen used to get her personal finances in order, pivot in her career, and go to coding school for free.  In this episode you’ll learn: Steps you can take to get your financial house in order What is zero-based budgeting and why you need a budget Several ways to pay off debt How to make a pivot in your career Ways to get your education for free, and so much more Check out today’s sponsor of the podcast Empower. Save more with Empower plus get $5 when you use the code JOURNEY at sign up. Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: If you liked this episode you might love, Episode 85 – The Colors of FI- Roundtable Chat on Financial Independence, which also features Carmen and others in the financial independence space. Also, check out:  Episode 128- Self Education and Ultralearning as a Means to Reach Your Financial Goals & More with Scott Young Other podcast episodes about alternative careers and education. Get the Free Journeyer Jump Start Guide here. Check out the other tools that help me with my finances and business here. Check out the Journey To Launch Podcast index here which categorizes all of the Journey To Launch podcast episodes by subject. Now you can binge on your favorite topics or type of episode. Join The Weekly Newsletter List Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! Watch me on News12  Watch my latest segments on News12 YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. Connect with Carmen: Website Instagram: @MakeRealCents Twitter: @MakeRealCents Facebook: @MakeRealCents Connect with me: Instagram: @journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: Journey To Launch Join the private Facebook Group Join The Money Launch Club  Jumpstart Guide