Financial Literacy Month: Meet the volunteer turning lessons learned into impact

As Financial Literacy Month continues, we’re proud to recognize the volunteers who help make financial education possible.

At Financial Beginnings, volunteers bring lived experience, practical knowledge, and a passion for helping others build confidence with money. Today, we’re excited to highlight Rebecca McKinsey.

Rebecca is a storyteller and editor with a background in newspaper journalism who now leads communications for a nonprofit serving people with chronic pain. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, gardening, reading, and, in her words, “incompetently crafting.”

Rebecca’s path to volunteering is deeply personal.

“I grew up without much money and with next to no financial education. That caused me to make some significant financial mistakes as a young adult — followed by a years-long, intensive personal journey of financial literacy.”

That experience inspired her to help others gain the knowledge and skills she wishes she had earlier.

“Now I’m passionate about bringing personal finance out into the open, and I love helping teach others the concepts and skills I wasn’t taught when I was young.”

Rebecca says every class offers something meaningful in return.

“Every time I teach, I learn something new from the students—their experiences, perspectives, or the best ways to make a lesson click. I love seeing those moments when something connects.”

For Rebecca, financial education was life-changing.

“It helped me realize I had control of my finances. I didn’t have to stay in debt, wait to invest, or rely on others to manage my money. I had options—and the ability to change where I was headed.”

Her advice is simple and powerful:

“Start investing now. Don’t wait until you’re older, debt-free, or feel like an expert. You can keep learning and adjusting as you go—but starting today is the best thing you can do for yourself.”

We’re grateful for volunteers like Rebecca who help build financial confidence and opportunity in our communities.