Hello. My name is Tamika. I live in Washington, DC and a mom of twins. I’m here to get financially educated and become more smart with my money and credit. I look forward to learning from you all. Life is a journey, always learning. I never want to be the smartest person in the room and I look forward to learning!☺️

We have been conditioned to be consumers, to act in a reactionary manner when it comes to money, to survive by overspending. I like this Joe, yes, a pattern becomes a habit and a habit can become an identity.

Whether we realize it or not, self-identity is the operating system of our lives. It shapes how we make decisions, what we believe is possible for us, and how we respond to pressure, opportunity, and uncertainty. Long before we think about strategy or tactics, we are acting from a story about who we are. Money is no exception. In fact, money is one of the clearest mirrors of identity. How we earn, spend, save, avoid, or obsess over money is often less about math and more about meaning. It reflects what we believe we deserve, what we fear losing, and what we think people like us are “supposed” to do. For many people—especially those who have experienced trauma, instability, or incarceration—identity has often been shaped in survival mode. When survival is the priority, money becomes reactive. It’s something to manage in the moment, not something to plan with confidence. Spending may feel urgent. Saving may feel unrealistic. Investing may feel like it’s “for other people.” None of that is a personal failure. It’s an identity shaped by experience. The challenge is that we can’t build new financial behaviors while holding on to old identities. If someone still sees themselves as “bad with money,” “behind,” or “not the investing type,” their actions will eventually align with that belief—no matter how many tools or tips they’re given. That’s why so much financial advice falls flat. It speaks to behavior without addressing identity. Real change begins when identity shifts first: - From survivor to architect - From reactive to intentional - From excluded to capable When identity changes, behavior follows naturally. Spending becomes a choice, not a compulsion. Saving becomes an act of self-respect. Investing becomes a statement of belief in one’s future. This is why, in this community and across the Think Outside the Cell ecosystem, we talk about mindset and identity alongside money. Not because it’s trendy—but because it’s honest. Numbers matter, but the person behind the numbers matters more.