APPLICANT #16: Amber Strickland

Amber Strickland is an 23-year-old student from Tuscumbia.

Here is Amber's video application:

Here is Amber's current situation:

Hi Guys! Well what am I up to......? I am up to everything! Except sleeping. However, over the last couple of years I have learned that sleeping is actually an indulgence and you can do without it. Currently I am working full time forty plus hours a week, taking 15 hours worth of classes a week, trying to work on all my handmade christmas gifts (great way to save!), spending time with the furry son Louka as well as the furry daughter Blitz (she was scared of the camera so she didn't appear on my first video but maybe you'll see her soon), endeavoring to find the time to drive to athens to visit with my parents and 22 month old baby sister and did I mention homework? Like I said, sleep is optional.

Here is Amber's blog post:

Freedom is running through fall leaves. Freedom is skipping to the beat of your own drum. Freedom is painting your four walls, four different colors. Freedom is lying in lush spring grass and cloud shaping. Freedom is going wherever, whenever, however, you want. Isn’t it magnificent! Until…you’re broke.

When you’re financially challenged you don’t feel free. I think that in today’s society financial freedom can be translated to simply, “Freedom.” The freedom to see the newest movie, download the latest song by your favorite artist, to take a weekend trip on a whim, to buy that cool new phone with the quirky keyboard, the sky is the limit! Well, actually, your bank account is the limit. This is something that as a twenty-three year old I am all too familiar and disgusted with. I have been financially independent since I was 18 and there have been some ups and downs. That’s why I want to be the new spokesperson for Young and Free Alabama. I want the opportunity to share with others like me, who want to be free, how to get there. How to get rid of that debt, how to save for that trip, how to afford food that isn’t microwavable, how to feel good knowing you are financially safe no matter what happens. Stopping questions like: what will I do if my car breaks down? How will I pay that bill? How will I buy my textbooks?, from keeping you up at night.

I want to help people and I want to do it the best way that I know how, by sharing my own personal experience and hard learned lessons with those in need. Everyone wants to be free! I want the opportunity to help you reach your financial freedom dreams one little step at a time. So please vote for me! Thanks for your time I know its precious.