Published by: Project 720
Category: TWEEN - Young Adult Education
Reading Time: 3–4 minutes

Chasing Stability: How Maya Turned Her Financial Life Around

Graduation day felt like the start of everything for Maya.
She had just finished high school cap in the air, dreams in her heart, and big plans on her mind.

She couldn’t wait to get her own apartment, buy her first car, and finally start adulting on her own terms.

But within just a few weeks, reality gave her a wake-up call she didn’t see coming.

The First Roadblocks

It started when she found the cutest little studio apartment online. She called the landlord, excited to schedule a tour.

“Do you have a credit score?” he asked.

Maya paused. “What’s that?”

That was the first time she’d ever heard the term. And it wouldn’t be the last.

At the car dealership, it was more of the same. No down payment? No co-signer? No car.

Then came the job applications one after another. She submitted resumes with her high school clubs and volunteer work. Weeks passed. No callbacks.

Everything she wanted felt out of reach. And she didn’t know why.

When “Figuring It Out” Goes Wrong

Like a lot of young adults, Maya figured she’d just learn as she went. But learning the hard way came with a price.

She opened a store credit card to “build credit,” but missed her first two payments.
She took out a payday loan to cover rent for a room she found online one with no lease and no real safety.
She signed up for a phone plan with a shiny new iPhone, only to get hit with fees she didn’t understand.

By month six, she was in debt, stressed out, and still unemployed. The confidence she had on graduation day? Long gone.

The Day Everything Changed

One afternoon, Maya ducked into the local library for some quiet time and maybe a little free Wi-Fi. That’s when she saw a flyer pinned to a bulletin board:

“TWEEN: Your Guide to Financial Independence. Free Classes. Real Help.”

It felt like a sign.

She scanned the QR code, filled out the form, and signed up. She wasn’t sure what to expect but she was ready for something to change.

8 Weeks That Changed Everything

TWEEN wasn’t just another online course or boring workshop. It was real, hands-on help that made sense. Every week tackled something she wished school had taught her:

• In Week 1, she learned what a credit score really is and why hers was low.

• By Week 2, she had a real resume, tailored to the jobs she wanted, and knew how to prep for interviews.

• In Week 3, she applied for jobs with confidence, knowing how to follow up like a pro.

• During Week 4, she opened a checking account, built her first budget, and learned how to track her spending.

• In Week 5, she got a secured credit card and set it up with autopay no more late payments.

• By Week 6, she understood how to avoid rental scams and what questions to ask before signing a lease.

• In Week 7, she built a savings plan for a used car and knew what fees to watch out for.

• And in Week 8, she discovered a career path she never considered one with paid internships and real growth potential.

Six Months Later…

Maya doesn’t even recognize the version of herself who walked into that library.

Today:

• She’s working part-time at a medical office, building experience in a field she loves.

• Her credit score jumped from 540 to 670.

• She’s renting a safe, affordable room with a lease and no shady deals.

• She saved up $1,000 and bought a used car from a private seller, all on her own.

• And most importantly, she no longer feels lost.

What Maya Wants You to Know

Maya often says, “If I had learned this just one year earlier, I could’ve avoided so much stress.”

But she’s not bitter. She’s grateful.

Because now she knows that financial stability isn’t just for people with wealthy parents or perfect credit. It’s something you can learn. Something you can build. Something you can take control of no matter where you start.

Your Next Step

If you see yourself in Maya’s story even just a little here’s the good news:

You’re not stuck. And you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Programs like TWEEN and Project 720 exist for a reason to give you the tools and knowledge that school never taught. To help you avoid the mistakes so many others have made. And to show you that financial independence is possible for you too.

👉 Ready to get started? Join Now

You don’t have to be perfect to take the first step.
You just have to start.

🤔 What’s one financial mistake, lesson, or “aha moment” you've had on your journey to independence?

👇 Drop your story or advice in the comments! You never know who it might help.