I was born in Osaka, Japan. I came to the US as an exchange student during high school. I learned how to be frugal from my parents and grandparents because they once were homeless during World War 2. When my husband lost his job after the economy crashed, I realized that I had to make sure I didn't waste anything. After things were manageable for me, I realized that people around me were wasting lots of money and running out of money before the next payday.

I speak Japanese and English fluently. I passed the November 2003 Illinois CPA exam on my first try, though I never worked as an accountant. I went back to school in my late 40s and became a Licenced Massage Therapist in South Carolina.