Hi, my name is Ronnesha "Ro" Smith.

I am a native of Blackshear, Ga. I am the daughter of Ronald B. Smith Sr. and Karla Johnson. Post high school, I earned my undergraduate and graduate degree from the real GSU, Georgia Southern University.

I am passionate about showing others through my character and actions that they can succeed no matter the background they hail from. Also, I understand the change I want to see must first begin with me! My mission is to be a good steward of the knowledge the Lord has entrusted me with while building community. I enjoy bringing people together to achieve something greater than themselves.

My Financial Journey

I've never heard anyone say the word "budget" before until a more mature friend of mine mentioned it in 2013. Then another friend of mine mentioned it again in 2014. In 2015, my sister suggested that I listen to a money podcast. After some time passed, I was inspired to try this thing all out called a budget. My first budget ever was in March of 2016. As you can see below, I didn't do a great job starting out! Nonetheless, I didn't give up. I paid off my undergraduate student loan on June 3, 2017. In addition, I cut up all of my store credit cards in June of 2018.

In May of 2018, I decided to go back to school for my master's. Out of fear that I wouldn't be able to provide for myself financially, I took out another student loan. In the meantime, I planned out all of my trips and paid cash for them while saving to pay off my second student loan debt after I graduated with my master's degree.

During the summer of 2018, I went on two cruises. Also, I went to Cancun for my sister's 30th birthday in September of 2018. In addition, I went on three mission trips in 2019. On top of that, I went to Virginia for a bachelorette weekend right before COVID.

In July of 2019, I did it! I graduated with my master's degree. Then I started throwing everything towards my debt. After much intentionality and determination, I paid off my second student loan of $16,513.14 in 8 months. I've been debt-free since April 15, 2020. I created a healthy balance of having fun while enhancing my financial situation.

I can't forget to mention that my vehicle got totaled in an accident in October of 2019. Also, I got let go from my regular 9-5 job due to anticipated budget cuts because of the pandemic on May 12th, 2020. Fortunately, I managed the expected expenses and prepared for the unexpected, which caused no real financial crisis.

That is what brings me here today. I want to equip and empower you to manage the expected and prepare for the unexpected with your finances.

The feeling you get when you don't have to worry about your finances.

Outside of work, I enjoy listening to music, playing the keyboard, team sports, team building, officiating and broadcasting basketball games, playing tabletop board games, learning foreign languages, traveling, increasing my financial literacy, attending church, going on mission trips, and spending time with friends and family. One of my favorite quotes is by Zig Ziglar: "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time."

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