Somya Munjal

Financial Services Professional & Financial Literacy Advocate

Personal Notes

One situation that really tested my money management skills was when I was put into a situation where I had the opportunity to fund my own my college. I call it an opportunity because this “hardship” actually shaped me for the better in so many ways. My parents are immigrants from India and barely had enough to eat while living in India. So naturally when I told them I wanted to go to a $30,000 a year college in the heart of Chicago, I was laughed at.

They saw no point in paying for an expensive college when there was a decent cheap college nearby that I could commute to. At first I was really angry because I had worked really hard in high school and wanted to go to a top-notch school. I wanted to take out a loan, like all my other friends, and have the college experience, but my parent’s refused.

Fast forward 5 years later and I had remarkably graduated with an undergrad and masters without any loans. Although, I went to a more economical school, I still got the college experience. I put a goal in my mind. No matter what, I was going to live on campus and I was going to pay for it. If it took filling out every scholarship, working 3 jobs, whatever, I was going to do it. And really that’s all it takes. Once you convince yourself you can do something, the possibilities are endless.

Once I graduated college, I really realized how incredibly large the gap was between the rich and the poor in America. I decided to dedicate my life to helping bridge that gap. I truly believe that proper money management, hard work, and some good mentors can help turn a life around. Anything I can do to help our society become more confident in money management is truly a privilege—because it really is a beautiful thing to serve others in achieving their dreams and quests.

Bio

Somya R. Munjal is a social entrepreneur dedicated to fiscal and monetary policy reform through the empowerment of people. She’s the founder of socioeconomic empowerment EdTech Youthful Savings and the Managing Partner of CPA for the People LLP. She is also the author of Audacious Endeavors which helps all people start socially conscious business ventures that emphasize the need for the triple bottom line – people, planet and profit. Her intent is to bring the world together through responsible financial systems, integrative education and impact-driven entrepreneurship. Somya is a Certified Public Accountant and NFEC Certified Financial Education Instructor.

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