What is Breathing Room?

A wise SaverLife member once said, “Financial health is when you feel like you can breathe…When you can finally just say, ‘It’s in the bank, it will get paid, and we will be okay.’” We were struck by the honesty behind these words, and realized that financial health means having the mental space and financial flexibility to focus on long-term goals, take advantage of wealth-building opportunities, and plan for the future.

SaverLife’s storytelling series Breathing Room: Stories from the financial health journeys of SaverLife members shares the experiences of people across the country who are working to achieve their version of financial health. It also sheds light on the systemic barriers that are making it more difficult for them to reach their goals.

SaverLife members have the insight needed to tip the scales toward an equitable financial system. It just takes all of us — leaders in the financial health field, policymakers, and other key decision makers — listening to their stories and working together to change narratives about what it means to live on a low-to-moderate income.

We’re committed to making Breathing Room the first step toward this work, so please: read these stories, share them with your networks, and, together, we can change the balance for good.