My Path
What nobody taught us
Real-life experience and knowledge. Nobody taught me credit, business or trades, so I learned the hard way. Today I invest every week with DCA, and I bought my first house with a USDA loan for my family of 4. Here's what actually worked. No paid opinions, just real info.
Read a little more about me
I grew up first-gen. My parents are from Mexico and still don't speak English. I've been through a lot, including more than 10 years in prison. When I came home, I started over from zero: built my credit, got a boiler license, started my own business, and bought a home for my family. If I could do it, you can too.
The order matters
Money steps, in order
A simple order to follow, inspired by popular debt-free coaches.
- 1
Save $1,000 starter emergency fund
Keeps a flat tire from becoming a payday loan. - 2
- 3
Get a skill that pays
A cheap certification (EPA 608, OSHA 10, CDL) can help you earn more — see the Trades tab. - 4
Kill high-interest debt
Smallest balance first (snowball) for motivation, or highest rate first (avalanche) to save the most. - 5
3–6 months of expenses saved
Keep it in a high-yield savings account, separate from spending.EverBank high-yield savings18+ (usually for ages 18 and up) - 6
Under 18? Here's how it works
- Everything you learn here is for you. Teens 13–17 can use RealWay on their own, no parent sign-off needed (unless a law where you live says otherwise).
- Buttons tagged 18+ (investing apps, credit tools, most bank accounts, loans and travel jobs) usually need you to be 18 to sign up on your own. Until then, a parent or guardian can open one with you, like a custodial or teen investing account (Fidelity's Youth Account is one for ages 13–17) or a joint savings account at a bank or credit union.
- Have a job? Money you earn from work can go into a custodial Roth IRA that a parent opens with you.
- Never fib about your age to open an account, and never give your login or Social Security number to anyone offering to “flip” or grow your money. That's a scam.
- Before a big money move, talk it over with a parent or another adult you trust.
What worked for me
Start your own business the right way
Here's the simple order I followed.
- 1
Form your LLC with your state
An LLC keeps business money separate from you. In Minnesota it's $155 online ($135 by mail) through the Secretary of State. MN: start a business - 2
Get your EIN — free from the IRS
An EIN is your business tax ID number. It's free at IRS.gov and takes minutes. Never pay a website for it. Get an EIN (IRS) - 3
Open a business bank account
Bring your LLC papers and EIN to your bank or credit union. All business money goes in and out of this account only. - 4
Save for Uncle Sam on every payment
I move 20% of every payment into a separate savings account. Many people save 25–30%, because self-employed people also owe 15.3% self-employment tax. Pay quarterly estimated taxes so April isn't a shock. Keep it in high-yield savings so it earns interest while it waits.EverBank high-yield savings18+ (usually for ages 18 and up) - 5
Write off real business costs
Business miles (or gas), the business share of your phone, tools, and work trips can lower your taxes. Keep every receipt and a mileage log. Whatever's left of your tax savings after filing is yours to keep.
Have a record?
A record doesn't have to stop you. My own credit union approved me for loans even with mine, because I had history with them and paid on time. On the government side, in 2024 the SBA removed most criminal-history restrictions on its loans, including for people on probation or parole. People currently incarcerated are still not eligible. Rules can change, so confirm with the SBA.
My story
I hit a deer and paid $0
One month after buying my car, I crashed it. Full coverage plus GAP paid it all off.
Full coverage
Comprehensive pays for things like hitting a deer, theft, or hail. Collision pays when you crash into something. Lenders require both on a financed car.
GAP insurance
New cars lose value fast. If it's totaled, insurance pays what the car is worth, not what you owe. GAP covers the difference so you aren't stuck paying for a car you don't have.
Tip
What happened next: my credit union had my back
After that first car was a total loss, my credit union (HomeTown Credit Union in Owatonna, MN) gave me two car loans, both with $0 down, at about 5% with a credit score around 700. Why? I already had history with them and showed good faith by paying on time.
Lesson: pick one local credit union, build a real relationship, and they'll look at you as a person, not just a number. And remember: no credit is better than owing $50,000.
Friendly reminder: set your money up once — a bank that treats you right, bills on autopay, a little saved and invested automatically — then let it run. A good credit union plus weekly DCA does exactly that. (Same idea as the book I Will Teach You to Be Rich.)
Little or no money down
How to buy a house
I bought my first house with a USDA loan for my family of 4. Which loan fits you depends on your income, your family size, and where you want to live.
USDA loan — $0 down
For eligible rural and many suburban areas. Household income limits are based on your area and family size (about 115% of the area's median income). Most lenders want a credit score around 640.
Check address & incomeConventional 97 — 3% down
At least one buyer must be a first-time buyer (no home owned in the last 3 years). Usually needs about a 620 credit score. You pay mortgage insurance until you have 20% equity.
FHA — 3.5% down
Easier credit rules (580+ for 3.5% down). Mortgage insurance usually lasts the life of the loan unless you refinance.
Down payment help
Many states, like Minnesota Housing, offer down payment and closing-cost help. A free HUD housing counselor can walk you through it: 1-800-569-4287.
Minnesota HousingNo Social Security number
Building credit with an ITIN
You can file taxes and build credit without an SSN.
An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) comes from the IRS using Form W-7. It is for tax filing, and many banks and credit unions accept it to open accounts and secured cards.
Free tax help, including in Spanish, is available through VITA sites for people earning about $67,000 or less.
For your parents
Helping parents who don't speak English
You have rights to free language help.
• Hospitals, Social Security, and many government offices must provide a free interpreter — ask: "Necesito un intérprete, por favor."
• Add them as an authorized user on your card (low limit) to start their credit history.
• Call 211 for local help in Spanish — food, rent, utilities.
Free
Free places to keep learning
Protect yourself
Scams that target our families
Red flags
- • "Notarios" offering immigration help — in the US a notary is not a lawyer.
- • Anyone asking for gift cards, Zelle, or crypto to "fix" a problem.
- • Credit-repair companies charging upfront fees (illegal under federal law).
- • Calls pretending to be IRS or ICE — they don't call demanding payment.
Ask the AI anything
Tap 'Ask RealWay AI' at the bottom — you can ask in Spanish too.
RealWay is for education only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Program rules, limits, and prices change — always confirm with the official source before you apply. Last checked October 2026.