Hey there. Thanks for stopping by. I’m Katie Scarlett (a pen name inspired by Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind) and I write about personal finance, achieving financial independence and early retirement (FIRE), getting out of generational poverty, career, and other related topics. I’m currently based in South Korea.
Like my favorite comic Michelle Wolf said, a blog is a conversation nobody wants to have with you.
It’s hard to find like-minded people in real-life willing to discuss and dissect all things money. That’s why I started writing down my personal experiences and research on this blog because, apart from my innate need to (over)share, I also want to find my tribe, wherever in the world they may be.
Plus, I find it very relaxing to lay down everything in a clear, easy-to-understand manner. It’s like spa for my brain.
My blog mission
Having grown up in a poor family and having faced a lot of obstacles in overcoming challenges associated with generational poverty, I feel like I offer a unique perspective on discussions about money and investing. Money advice for people who are starting from negative is very different from the advise you give to those who start from zero. Giving people with negative net worth advise that are fit for those who are at zero is misleading and causes unnecessary heartache and lost time and money.
My mission in this blog is to fill that gap.
Another mission I have is writing from the consumer’s point of view. I noticed that most online money advice for Filipinos are provided by financial advisors/agents/employees associated with insurance companies and/or investment houses. While they’re providing a necessary (and free!) service, there is always the possibility that their biases (to make a sale) may cloud their recommendations and advice.
Meanwhile, I write and review products and services as a knowledgeable consumer. If I have biases, at least it’s in favor of consumers and not of the insurance and/or investing companies. I mean, do these companies deserve their fees? Maybe yes, maybe not. But definitely not at my and my readers’ expense.
Also, I’m so tired of being treated like sh*t and/or a criminal by big banks and companies. I’m sure you are too. It’s time for us to express our opinions as consumers.
Lastly, I want to show that it’s possible to escape generational poverty. Because I’ve done it.
I’ve been poor. It was a drag. I don’t want to be poor again. So here I am obsessed with trying to find ways not to go back to being poor AND succeeding.
I want to inspire those who are on the same path and to show them that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Because maaaan, the path out of generational poverty is long and hard.
I’ve written several articles sharing more information about me, if you’re interested to read them, here are the links:
I share my experiences in the past decade, how I got from negative net worth to zero net worth, and finally, to positive net worth during the 2010s.
I wanted to give my readers a background on why I want to achieve FIRE so much. And also to show cute photos of myself when I was little.
More on Katie Scarlett
Outside of blogging, I’m also a mother, a daughter, a professional, and a feminist. I love reading (holler to Lord of the Rings fans!), adventure travel, yoga, and studying ukulele (even though I’m terrible at it). I’m living my best life.
I’m a strong female character.
What’s next for me after getting to zero?
I want to achieve financial independence. I want my first million dollars in the next 10 years! I need to get to FIRE!
KSNM appearances on the web
My article Why I Want to FIRE – A Personal Tale of Early Woes and Awesome Wins was featured by Camp FIRE finance, an online personal finance community for those who are seeking financial independence and early retirement.
My blog was mentioned by Professor Leloy Claudio in his Basagan ng Trip series with Rappler, episode: Why finance experts should challenge mutual funds.
