At just 27, Freya Yamamoto has become a powerful voice in the movement for financial literacy—especially among young women. As a former high school teacher turned financial educator, Freya knows firsthand how little people are taught about money early on.
“I used to think budgeting was just for adults with mortgages,” she laughs. “But when I got my first job and couldn’t even manage my paycheck, I knew something had to change.”
Freya began her own financial education by diving into books and online courses. She credits resources like The Balance and YouTube channels run by certified financial planners for helping her break down complex ideas.
Today, Freya runs a popular Instagram page and a weekend workshop series called Money Moves for Women. “So many young women grow up thinking money is complicated, or worse, that it’s not their job to manage it,” she says. “I want to break that cycle.”
Her workshops focus on budgeting, credit building, debt management, and investing. But beyond the numbers, Freya emphasizes mindset. “We need to normalize women talking about money—openly and confidently,” she explains.
One of her favorite lessons is teaching women how to negotiate salaries. “When I show them the potential difference over a 10-year period, they’re shocked. That one conversation could mean tens of thousands of dollars.”
Freya also partners with local schools to introduce financial basics to teenage girls. “If I had learned about compound interest in high school, I’d have started investing way earlier,” she says.
Her ultimate goal? To help one million young women become financially independent. “Money equals choices. And when women have choices, they have power.”
For those starting their journey, Freya suggests exploring free tools on NerdWallet or taking introductory finance courses on Coursera or edX. “Just start,” she says. “You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be intentional.”
