There are two sides to a coin.

On one side of the coin we’ve got Gail Miller, an Administrative Assistant with a past purse-habit who’s dreaming of happy morning “sighs” where all is right with the world. On the flip side we’ve got a single income, tight budget, and dreams of retirement.

On any given day you can flip the coin. Gail is finding her way and figuring out you can be comfortable with both sides of the coin. 

What is your occupation?
I’m an Administrative Assistant with an engineering firm.

Where do you live?
I live in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Where are you from originally?
The best little town in Saskatchewan, Churchbridge!!!

What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I’m terrified of speaking in front of people.  Well . . . unless they’ve been drinking . . . then maybe . . . nope, nope . . . still couldn’t do it.

What is your favourite quote?
“Life is tough, my darling, but so are you.” – Stephanie Bennett Henry

My proudest money moment:
My proudest money moment would have to be actually taking the step and contacting Connor. Money was never my thing . . . I was the mom, the planner, the nurse, the taxi . . . money was just what I used to obtain things and to pay the bills. Now with my new life, money has become a whole new animal. One that I need to pay attention to and learn about . . . thank god for Connor . . . he has broken things down for me and I actually “somewhat” understand what is going on now.

What is your top money frustration?
The lack of it. Not even kidding . . . I went from a household with two incomes, mine being the smallest, and now it’s just me . . . with the smallest. Trying to “not look too far ahead” and worry is the hardest for me. Will there be enough, will I ever be able to own my own home again, can I go on a vacation? Not ‘another’ vacation, just ‘a vacation’. It’s something that will always be at the forefront now – making that dollar stretch.

Money and I get along like:
Okay . . . that’s not even funny Connor . . . money and I, we don’t get along. You are teaching me to not run away screaming . . . but we aren’t there yet!!

Financial security to me means . . . 
It has been said often, and it sounds simple . . . but it really is freedom.

It is also sleeping peacefully, having a roof over your head, knowing if there is an emergency I’m covered. It’s that sighhhhhhhhh when you wake up and everything looks amazing . . . that’s what financial security would mean to me . . . every day being able to wake up with a happy siggghhhhhhhhh.

What is your favourite splurge?
I’m not going to lie; my kids have always been my favourite splurge. My daughter had more Lululemon leggings than anyone I know and my son . . . let’s just say the Lego collection that kid had . . . man!!!! Okay, okay, I used to have a purse problem . . . but that has been over with for a long time!!!

Now, I don’t splurge . . . I will need a car . . . I will need groceries . . . I will need to pay rent. Yes, I will need a new purse . . . eventually.

If you had a chance for one do-over in life, what would you do differently?
I would say that I would have loved to become a nurse, but no school out there would have taken me!! But if it’s a “do-over” then I can do what I want right?  So yes . . . I would have gone to school and become a nurse!!!

What is the best piece of financial advice that you have ever been given?
John: Gail, go see Connor.
Gail: Okay John, I’ve actually made an appointment.

It was the best decision ever. Connor didn’t make me feel stupid, he spelled things out for me . . . literally with a poster size flow chart. I can now see what I need to do. It may not be pretty . . . but it is doable.

TCM: While a tight budget and lack of planning may have had Gail avoiding her finances in the beginning, she realized that she didn’t have to face this challenge alone.  We so enjoy working with you Gail, and are happy to be there to provide advice, on whichever side the coin may land.