The Story Behind Your Millennial Cousin (YMC)
Hey, Cousin—I’m Sophia.
I am glad you’re here! I want to share a little about who I am, the vision behind YMC, and the kind of support I hope this space can offer you.
Something important to know about me is that I did not choose the millennial life. The millennial life chose me.
Being born in the late 1900s means I’ve lived in two very different worlds. I remember life before social media, iPhones, and ChatGPT— and now I’m living in a time where all of those things shape our everyday lives.
Straddling both eras has been a strange mix of hope and uncertainty. On one hand, we were raised to dream big and believe we could build the lives we wanted. On the other, many of us carry a constant sense of impending doom about the future — especially when it comes to money.
Like many of my peers, I spent most of my twenties trying to do everything “right” so I could finally feel secure. I went to college, landed a job, and even earned a master’s degree from an Ivy League institution.
And yet… that feeling of dread still lingered — especially when it came to my finances.
Another important part of who I am is that I’m an educator.
For more than a decade, I’ve worked in several roles in education— starting as a middle school teacher (former 8th graders photographed), making my way from Assistant Dean of Students to Associate Director at a college, to cheer coach. No matter the title, my adult life has been dedicated to helping students learn, grow, and avoid some of the mistakes I made along the way.
As an educator, my goal is always to create a space where students felt safe enough to ask questions.
Because the truth is, learning doesn’t happen when people feel judged. It happens when people feel seen and supported.
Fast-forward to one Thanksgiving, when I found myself in a conversation with my cousin, who was a senior in high school. We started talking about finances and the financial patterns we had seen growing up.
She shared that she was nervous about heading to college without understanding some basic financial concepts. I offered to meet her at a cafe (coffee is always a good addition to a lesson, in my opinion) and talk about her fears, confusions, and hopes surrounding money. Because I’m an educator, I couldn’t show up to a lesson empty-handed (plus, I do love a good Canva document).
So I created a workbook for them. At the top of the page, I signed it: “Made by your millennial cousin, Sophia.” And that’s how Your Millennial Cousin (YMC) was born.
It came from a simple desire to give someone else what I wish I had when I was entering adulthood: a strong financial foundation.
While you may not be my cousin by blood, I hope you feel seen, heard, and supported here. The feelings and questions you have about money are shared by so many of us.
So whether you're a millennial or not — welcome to the family, cousin.
I’m so happy you’re here.
What YMC is Here To Do:
To provide relatable guidance, practical tools, and supportive community that help young adults build financial stability and navigate real life with confidence.
What YMC Values:
Authenticity: Money conversations should be honest and real. I believe in talking openly about finances, mistakes, growth, and everything in between.
Accessibility: Financial education should be easy to understand and available to everyone. I focus on clear, practical guidance without unnecessary jargon.
Intentionality: Financial decisions should reflect what matters most to you. I encourage thoughtful choices that align with your values and long-term goals.
Confidence: My goal is to help you feel capable and empowered when making financial decisions so you can move forward with clarity and self-trust.
The Bigger Picture
The goal of YMC is simple: to help young people build financial confidence step by step, so money becomes a tool to create a meaningful and fulfilling life.