Ezra is 23 and just recently aged out of the foster care system. For the first time in his life, he’s living entirely on his own, no caseworker, no group home, no social worker to check in on him. He has no parents or relatives to call for help. And now, he’s trying to survive in a world that expects him to know how to budget, build credit, and plan for the future.
He works part-time at a warehouse loading trucks. The job pays $18 an hour, and he tries to pick up extra shifts when he can. He’s also going to community college, slowly working through a liberal arts degree because he isn’t sure what career he wants, but he knows he needs more than just a high school diploma. He receives some financial aid and qualifies for EBT and housing assistance. Even so, money is always tight.
Ezra has never had a credit card. He doesn’t have a safety net. If he loses his job, he has no one to help him pay rent. He sometimes skips meals when his EBT runs low. He uses his phone to watch YouTube videos about budgeting and money, but most of them seem like they’re made for people who already have savings and support, not someone like him.
He wants to do better. He’s determined not to end up homeless. But everything feels so overwhelming, bills, school, trying to build a life from scratch.
Where Does Someone Like Ezra Start?
Let’s be honest: most financial advice doesn’t work for someone like Ezra.
He doesn’t have the luxury of getting it wrong. If he makes a bad money decision, it can lead to eviction, hunger, or dropping out of school. So the first step isn’t just budgeting, it’s survival with dignity.
1. Stabilize the Basics
Ezra is already doing something incredibly wise: he’s using what’s available to him. EBT and housing assistance might come with stigma, but they are crucial stepping stones. The goal right now is to stabilize.
- Track Food and Essentials: Know how far the EBT will go and avoid impulse spending.
- Maintain Benefits: As income increases, benefits may decrease, so he must be cautious and document everything. Even a small raise could cut off crucial support.
- Document Paperwork: Keep digital or physical folders of tax forms, financial aid letters, housing agreements, and ID documents. Organization protects him.
2. Build a Financial Identity
Ezra needs to build trust in himself and in systems that weren’t built for him. That means slowly creating a financial identity:
- Open a Bank Account: A checking account with no minimums or fees is a must. Credit unions or online banks may offer more forgiving terms.
- Start a Credit File: Consider a secured credit card with a very low limit ($200–$300) and only use it for one recurring bill like a Netflix subscription. Always pay it off. This creates a credit history with minimal risk.
3. Learn the System Without Judgment
People who age out of foster care often haven’t had anyone explain taxes, interest rates, or budgeting. Learning now, at 23, is not a failure. It’s a power move.
- Use Free Education: Blogs like this one, insightful writing from people like Joshua Kennon, or even personal finance books from the local library can help Ezra learn in a way that feels grounded and relevant.
- Talk to a Mentor: Whether it’s a professor, someone at work, or a counselor, ask questions. Ezra isn’t supposed to know everything. Nobody is.
4. Work on Income First, Then Saving
In Ezra’s case, saving $5 is a win. The focus should be on increasing income gently:
- Warehouse Work: See if there’s an opportunity to cross-train or move into roles with more pay or stability.
- School Resources: Many colleges offer work-study programs, grants, or connections to employers that understand students.
- Avoid Gig Apps: Most pay poorly and drain time and energy. Ezra’s energy is limited; it should be invested in sustainable paths.
When he has a little more breathing room:
- Emergency Fund: $100 in a separate savings account is a huge deal. Start there. Then aim for $500.
5. Heal While Moving Forward
There’s trauma here, abandonment, uncertainty, self-doubt. These things don’t just go away with budgeting.
- Therapy: If available through school or community health, therapy is a financial asset, not just an emotional one. It builds resilience.
- Boundaries: As Ezra builds adult relationships, he’ll need to protect his time, money, and peace. Not everyone deserves access.
Conclusion: Building a Life That’s Truly Yours
Ezra doesn’t need to become rich. He needs stability, dignity, and freedom. His success will come not from following cookie-cutter financial advice, but from building a foundation that reflects his lived reality.
For now, every step counts:
- Every paid bill.
- Every smart choice.
- Every moment he refuses to give up.
Ezra isn’t behind. He’s beginning. And that beginning is powerful.
The Broke College Student 
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