E1 · Just Keep Talking · Money Path Podcast

Hello, travelers and welcome to episode one. In this episode, you will hear from a trailblazer in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. Listen to her journey on the money trails, and learn about the two big goals she is saving for: a trip and education. Here's your chance to connect with real money and life stories that shape our communities in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Episode Transcript

00;00;00;00 - 00;03;46;08

Introduction

Hello travelers, and welcome to Money Path. Yes, we will be talking about money, but no, not in the way you might think. We’re sharing those money and life stories from communities across Nova Scotia, and today we will hike over to Pictou County Nova Scotia. Since this is our first episode you’re probably wondering who we are and what we do. We’ll start easy: My name is Bethanee, and I’ll be your trail buddy. As for Money Path, long story short, we’re an organization funded by the Federal Government (by the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada to be exact) and we’re here to help Atlantic Canadains learn more about their money. And how do we do that? We create a curriculum, and train community leaders and organizations on it, so they can incorporate money education in their existing programming. There are three nonprofits that have partnered up to operate Money Path Atlantic: MetroWorks in Halifax — that’s where I’m located — Mill Road Social Enterprises in Inverness, and Valley Community Learning Association in Kentville. If you’re interested in the longer explanation, check us out at moneypath.ca AFTER you finish this episode.

So, let’s quickly address a core thought you might have right now: You don’t want to talk about money. Yeah. But here’s the catch: how can we learn about money if we don’t want to talk about it. So we’re here to help change that by sharing real money stories within our communities. During this adventure together, across multiple episodes, you will hear from different guests. You’ll hear from Trail Guides — they’re the community leaders trained on the Money Path curriculum that help others learn about their money. You’ll also meet Trailblazers. Those are the people who are on the Money Path Trails learning more about their own finances from our Trail Guides. You’ll also hear from special guests. But more on this in just a bit.

At Money Path, we often talk about exploring paths and navigating trails, and here in Nova Scotia, we are fortunate to have many stunning, real-life trails. This land is the ancestral and traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Historical policies enforced by the government during the time of settlement, Confederation, and since, forced displacement of these communities from their land. The community of Whycocomagh is a friend of Money Path and at the time this episode airs, something the community is currently working on, are pathways forward from cultural disabilities. The Mi’kmaq have endured centuries of dislocation from the lands that traditionally they called home. They are currently finding ways for all ages to discover and celebrate their journey of connection to land, language and culture. Stay tuned for more insights into this journey and other significant stories from Whycocomagh in upcoming episodes.

Now, I would like to introduce you to the other voice you will hear this episode. You will hear from a Trailblazer from Pictou County. One of her supports is Summer Street Industries in New Glasgow, and Summer Street is also one of Money Path’s community partners. This trailblazer has diversabilities andShe has a blend of income sources, including a part time job, and some income assistance. She has two big goals she is saving for: a trip and education. Let’s meet her now.

Interview

00;03;46;10 - 00;04;10;27

Host: So, can you tell me what part of Nova Scotia you're from?

Trailblazer: I’m from Westville, Nova Scotia. Pictou County.

Host: Westville Pictou County. And have you been there your whole life?

Trailblazer: No. I'm originally from Colchester County.

Host: Nice. What do you do here at Summer Street?

Trailblazer: I do what's called co-packing. It's working with Big Cove foods from Thorburn. And what we do here is we…

00;04;10;29 - 00;04;38;28

Trailblazer: We mix and we bottle and we package all the different spices, and then they take it and they sell it out in the community.

Host: And how did you learn about Money Path?

Trailblazer: Through staff here and also seen your group a couple times here. I wasn’t really involved with it till now.

Host: Okay. So you you're kind of then, kind of starting.

00;04;38;28 - 00;05;01;01

Trailblazer: Yeah.

Host: The Money Path Trials. Okay. So tell me a little bit about your first steps.

Trailblazer: My first step. Well, learning about it through one of the instructors and staff, and I would, like, learn more about it.

Host: What is something about money you would really like to learn about?

Trailblazer: How to save better.

Host: That’s actually a really common one.

00;05;01;04 - 00;05;30;15

Trailblazer: Yeah. And how to utilize and try to stretch my grocery money more.

Host: What are some of these beginning steps that you're taking to reach those goals? Obviously being with Money Path and starting your… Money Path (laughs) is one, but what's a little piece of knowledge that you've already kind of learned about maybe how you could save more or be able to afford more for groceries?

00;05;30;18 - 00;06;03;10

Trailblazer: Well make sure, your main part, your main thing is to pay your rent first. Then any other small bills that come up, like internet, your power and everything. I have to pay my own power because it’s not included. So once all that stuff paid off, then I'll sit down and look at my needs and my wants, and then I'll see if I can put aside, before I get my groceries…

00;06;03;12 - 00;06;31;17

Trailblazer: I'll see if I can put aside like $20-$25 in a savings account toward a goal that I'm trying to work on.

Host: Nice. And is there a little goal that you are working towards right now?

Trailblazer: Yes I am. I’m planning, hoping to get to go over to P.E.I. to see Anne of Green Gables in July.

Host: That's incredible.

Trailblazer: Yeah, I already have a place that I can stay, a friend’s place that I can stay…

00;06;31;17 - 00;07;02;13

Trailblazer: for maybe a week or so, and then come back. Tentative dates will be July 21, and back on August 1.

Host: That's awesome. So is this kind of the first trip you've kind of planned for?

Trailblazer: On my own, yes.

Host: On your own, Okay, so tell me about some of the learning curves with figuring out how to plan this trip that you really want to go on.

00;07;02;16 - 00;07;26;20

Trailblazer: First: find out how much it will cost for the bus, which I already did. For a round trip it would be $160. So I'd have to save $160 for the bus ticket. Be prepared for the unexpected. Pack enough for snacks for the trip. I heard it's quite a long trip over…

00;07;26;20 - 00;07;47;23

Trailblazer: by bus. Make sure you have enough too for spending money and everything like that.

Host: Yeah, absolutely. There's a lot of hidden components when it comes to planning a trip. You even said yourself like making sure you have enough snacks and stuff because eating out, it's expensive. What is it about Green Gables that makes you really want to see it?

00;07;47;26 - 00;08;19;15

Trailblazer: I just love the show. I love the characters, and I just loved it. It was on my bucket list for years, but I just couldn't afford to go over. And then friends of mine, my friend, she said I could stay with her. She has a cottage, a family cottage over there. And I said I could stay at the cottage while we're going on a tour (laughs). And hopefully we’ll get a time to go over to the museum, like go through the house.

00;08;19;15 - 00;08;41;19

Host: Love it. Okay, so. So something I always like to ask about is, you know, a lot of people don't necessarily like to talk about money. What were some conversations like with money when you were growing up, with your parents, or friends, or family? What kind of money conversations did you have?

Trailblazer: Never had.

Host: You never had it?

Trailblazer: Yeah

Host: Why do you think that is?

00;08;41;25 - 00;09;04;11

Trailblazer: Just… same as when the parents don't want to talk about their medical issues with the kids and stuff. So, why should they in turn talk about money?

Host: So when did you start learning about money? Because at some point, you know, it's one of those things that you're expected to know about, but yet your parents won't talk to you about it…

00;09;04;11 - 00;09;36;01

… even friends. And you know, we’re always kind of hearing things like, “oh, we don't talk about money,” but then you're expected to know about money.

Trailblazer: Yeah.

Host: So when was it for you when you realized, like, “oh, I need to learn about money? I don't I don't know what to do.”

Trailblazer: I kinda taught myself when I was 18. That’s when I got on with the community services, and that's when I first started getting some money coming in one month and learned how to separate my part.

00;09;36;03 - 00;10;03;10

Trailblazer: I was 18, no job, living at home. And my dad, he was up in his years and stuff like that, and everything. And then by the time my mother… I was the only one home at the time, the only female home. In 1993 was when my mother passed away. So I figured, well, time for me to move on. I couldn't stay there and be stuck at the house like, no way.

00;10;03;10 - 00;10;30;26

Trailblazer: I didn’t drive. I didn't have my own vehicle or anything like that. And both my father and brother worked. So, in the summer of 1994, I moved out. My father helped me a little, help me with my first apartment, but other than that.

Host: So, it was 1994 when you were kind of out on your own for the first time, and you were learning about your finances, what were some of the challenges that you faced at that time?

00;10;30;28 - 00;11;00;25

Trailblazer: There was one time… I wasn't homeless or anything like that, thank goodness, but I there was a time I wasn't even in any programs at all. I was just struggling day to day. And I had to use food banks to make sure I’d have food and if I didn't have food, food for the week I went without, until the money came in and then back and forth like that. I was struggling.

00;11;00;25 - 00;11;28;21

Trailblazer: I was having issues with the apartment and stuff like that because I'm alone. I don't have any roommates or nothing like that. And then eventually I did get on to the Independent Living Program. I love it. They’re great help, great support. And also, I belong to a group called People First. I’ve been in it now for 15 years.

00;11;28;24 - 00;11;57;00

Trailblazer: When I started off, I was in the Truro group for 12 years and we started a group over here, Pictou County three years ago. So 15 years. With this group, I was vice president and then decided to step down and go for treasurer. And I'm going to start school, college in September of this year, taking up office administration.

00;11;57;03 - 00;12;31;24

Host: Wow.

Trailblazer: Yeah.

Host: So talk about you going to school in the fall for office administration. What have you been learning about preparing for that?

Trailblazer, Uh, trying to take a little computer lessons here [at Summer Street]. They offer free computer classes and little stuff like that. Then I have to look at my income tax and send them off and wait till May, and then I've got to start looking into tuition and stuff like that.

Host: Nice. So, you’re taking the first steps.

00;12;31;28 - 00;13;07;28

Trailblazer: Yeah. First step is trying to look at the programs to see what ones are you interested in, or might be interested in. And then the second step is to secure your seat, which I already did with some help. And then the third one is to apply, when the time comes, to apply for student loans and stuff.

Host: Absolutely. So let's say, you had the chance to give some advice to someone that has been through or is going through a very similar situation that you did in the past.

00;13;07;28 - 00;13;31;08

Host: What is something you would like to tell them?

Trailblazer: Number one, don't give up. And number two, find someone that you can really trust and sit down and get them to help you make out a budget, put it on paper so you have to see it, like see where see where your money's going and see what you can do.

00;13;31;13 - 00;14;02;22

Trailblazer: Like if you have more wants than needs, see what you cut down on or cut back on. Maybe you’ll open up a savings account if you can and just try to put a little bit in, if you can. But don't have no access to it (laughs). You can put it in, but can’t take it out.

Host: You mentioned having someone that you can trust. Who was that someone for you?

Trailblazer: The ones I trust is one of the staff here at Summer Street.

00;14;02;29 - 00;14;31;14

Trailblazer: And then I have a very good support worker over in the Independent Living that I can talk to like three days a week and talk to her about anything and whatever. And I know is not going to leave her and travel around. Coming to Summer Street, after I moved over here, like, this one home now. I've been here in Summer Street now for seven years and, they've been there.

00;14;31;16 - 00;15;06;12

Trailblazer: They've been there to help me with meals to go, once in a while. And they helped me get a part time job now and everything. Just been… just been great now. I have more ups than downs, recently. I just feel great.

Host: Okay. And is there something that we didn't talk about today that you would like to talk about.

Trailblazer: Just overall, like if you are in a situation, before it gets too bad...

00;15;06;15 - 00;15;35;04

… I know some issues can't be helped, but some can. Make sure that if you find yourself really struggling, and you think that you might end up on the street. Look the other way and find help. Find that help. Go to where you could go get resources from. Get them to help you manage your money. Get them to help you get into programs and stuff like that.

00;15;35;07 - 00;16;10;08

Trailblazer: Don't don't let your finances get you down to that low. Just keep talking and don't, don't give up.

Outro and Credits

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That was one of our Trailblazers from Pictou County, Nova Scotia. Now, you might be thinking, “Bethanee, we never learned her name!” There is a reason for that: given the topic we’re discussing, and that some of our Trailblazers are from vulnerable communities, we decided to not share their names. So, we hope you can understand.

We’re Money Path Atlantic and the three non-profits that make this possible are MetroWorks in Halifax, Mill Road Social Enterprises in Inverness, and Valley Community Learning Association in Kentville. We are funded by the federal government’s Department of Employment and Social Development Canada. I’m Bethanee, your host, co-producer, and editor. Our other co-producer is Beth — I know, little confusing: Beth and Bethanee. Beth is Money Path’s team lead.

Thank you to all the Money Path Trailblazers for taking the brave leap to have open conversations about money. Thank you to our Trail Guides and Community Partners who are on the front lines helping Nova Scotia’s communities learn more about their money.

Special shout out for this episode goes to Summer Street Industries in New Glasgow. They are one of our community partners and are one of the supporters for the trailblazer we heard from today. We use Pixabay for our music, and you can find the specific song credits in this episode’s description. Once again: I am Bethanee, and I’ll see you on the next trail.