Jakarta – Millennials are often told they’re bad with money. What’s less discussed is how they inherited an economy where homeownership, affordable education, and financial stability slipped further out of reach — even as they earned more than their parents.
Casie Ellison, a 38-year-old mental health advocate and founder of Change the Face of Depression, is one of many millennials who had to learn the hard way. In her case, passion and purpose came with a price: credit card debt, underpayment, and emotional exhaustion.
“I thought the passion would somehow pay for itself,” she said. “But passion without a financial plan is a fast track to burnout and debt. Debt doesn’t care about your heart.”
Rebuilding from the Bottom Up
Ellison’s commitment to nonprofit work led her to max out credit cards early in her career. What followed were a series of career pivots, job shifts, and personal financial resets. But instead of staying down, she learned to build better.
Those experiences taught her to say no. “I stopped chasing exposure and started requiring fair compensation. My peace grew the moment my rates did.”
The Cost of Undervaluing Yourself
Her second big regret? Not charging her worth. “I undervalued my time, energy, and expertise,” Ellison said. “Others profited while I struggled.”
This shift — from scarcity to sustainability — took root when motherhood entered the equation. As a mother of five, she saw that her children were also absorbing the instability of her finances and work life.
From Surviving to Sustaining
“I give every dollar a job,” she said. “I separate business and personal finances. I track my time like it matters — because it does.”
Today, structure and boundaries are not just buzzwords for her. They’re survival tools.
A Message for Her Younger Self
“Don’t wait to be rescued. Learn how money works. Study taxes, credit, investing — even if it intimidates you. Don’t mistake self-sacrifice for generosity. Protect your energy like it’s currency — because it is.”
Advice for Fellow Millennials
“Wanting stability isn’t greedy — it’s wise. Financial literacy gives you the power to choose your life instead of reacting to it.”
Her parting wisdom? “Before you swipe or sign, pause. Ask: ‘Am I spending to soothe, or spending to invest?’”
The Link Between Money and Mental Health
Ellison also reminds us that money problems aren’t just logistical — they’re emotional. “When you’re in survival mode, budgeting and planning can feel impossible. That’s why grace and mental health support must be part of any financial strategy.”
Her story is one of many in a generation forced to self-correct, self-educate, and redefine what wealth means — not in spite of hardship, but because of it.
