Growing up in a town filled with poverty, I rarely heard anyone talk about investing. People worked hard just to get by, and the idea of putting money into something like stocks or bonds felt completely out of reach. Most people were focused on surviving the week, not planning for the future. But as I got older and started learning more about money on my own, I realized investing isn’t something only rich people do. It’s actually one of the most powerful tools that anyone can use to create financial stability. It’s not about how much money you make, it’s about how much you invest and how early you start. Even if someone starts small, consistent investing over time can lead to real growth and independence. The problem is, most people never get the chance to learn that. That lack of financial knowledge doesn’t just limit opportunities, it can cause people to suffer. The 2008 financial crisis is one of the clearest examples of how damaging it can be when people don’t understand the system. In the movie The Big Short, we see how a small group of investors saw the housing collapse coming because they took the time to read the fine print, ask questions, and understand the risks. Meanwhile, most of the public didn’t have the tools or knowledge to even know what questions to ask. People were getting approved for mortgages they couldn’t afford, and no one was explaining what subprime loans or adjustable rates really meant. They trusted the system, not realizing that the system wasn’t built to protect them. The Big Short highlights just how important investment literacy really is. The people who lost their homes, savings, and jobs weren’t reckless. They were just uninformed. And while the banks and financial institutions absolutely deserve blame for being dishonest and greedy, the truth is that a better understanding of money and investing might have helped regular people avoid some of the worst outcomes. Knowing how interest rates work, what kind of debt to avoid, or how to spot risky financial products could have made a big difference. It showed me that financial literacy isn’t just helpful, it’s necessary. That’s why I’m passionate about making investing feel more accessible, especially for people in communities like the one I grew up in. I want people to see that you don’t need to be rich to invest. You just need to start with what you have and be willing to learn. For my research, I plan to use credible financial sources like Investopedia, articles by certified financial planners, and real stories from people who started with little and built something for themselves. My goal is to inspire people to take control of their financial futures. I want them to see that even if you come from a place where no one talks about money or investing, you can still break the cycle. You can learn. You can build. And you can invest in yourself.

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