← Networth and Chill with Your Rich BFF
Networth and Chill with Your Rich BFF
From 0 to 8 Figures: TikTok Star Tefi Pessoa Gets Real About Her Money Journey
00:51:53
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- [00:00]
Teffy Pessoa
You crash one golf cart in 2003 and then you can't go back. So I think the biggest lesson my mom is like fast cash is not real cash.
- [00:10]
Vivian Tu
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- [00:46]
What'S up rich friends? Welcome to another episode of Net Worth and Chill. I'm your host Vivian Tu, AKA your rich BFF and your favorite Wall street girly. And for those of you who are new here, a few years ago I moved down to Florida. Yes, I am officially a Miami gal now. And one of the most culture shocking things I experienced when I moved was just how many people were speaking Spanish around me. And frankly, I shouldn't be surprised. Latinos account for nearly 20% of all Americans and on top of that, they account for 7% of all millionaires in the U.S. that said, in 2021, the median wealth of a Latino household was $48,720, which is only about 20% of non Hispanic white households. Median wealth of $250,400. Furthermore, this reality is often made really worse by the way popular media depicts Latino communities as foreign criminals here to steal our jobs and only worthy of back breaking manual labor. On today's episode, we are chatting with an incredible Latina entertainer and entrepreneur. Also the funniest person I know because despite unfavorable news headlines, the Latino community is building serious wealth. Today's guest is a host on Amazon Prime's Influenced, which by the way, I did make a cameo. She's a content creator, a red carpet host. Everyone, please welcome Teffy Pessoa.
- [02:08]
Teffy Pessoa
Hola.
- [02:12]
Vivian Tu
I knew you were gonna just start off buddy.
- [02:14]
Teffy Pessoa
Hola. Hola. Com estan. No, I love that. I'm super happy you brought up speaking Spanish. Yeah, because growing up in Miami, I have 305 tattooed on my neck and my mom loves that. Loves, loves, loves. But for the first time last year I went to Miami and for the first time in my life I was in a restaurant where no one spoke Spanish. I actually started ordering in Spanish and not everyone has to speak Spanish. I went to school with like, you know, I think two people that didn't speak Spanish. So not everybody has to speak Spanish.
- [02:46]
Vivian Tu
Those two didn't need it.
- [02:48]
Teffy Pessoa
No. But also my brother, my sister understand, but they don't speak Spanish because I went to my grand. My grandmother babysat me and I went. I chose language. Like, you can choose a language school in Miami where you take math and science and handwriting.
- [03:02]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [03:03]
Teffy Pessoa
In Spanish. Yes.
- [03:04]
Vivian Tu
That's awesome.
- [03:05]
Teffy Pessoa
Yeah. Yeah. But it was the first time ever that I started ordering in Spanish and the person was like, I'm sorry, no one here speaks Spanish. And I was like, what are you talking about? So Miami after 2020 has evolved past, like, what? You probably know Miami better than I do at this point.
- [03:19]
Vivian Tu
You know, I don't think that's true. That's born and bred. That's like in your blood.
- [03:23]
Teffy Pessoa
Yes. There are definitely some things. I mean, there are some places that don't exist anymore. Like the mom and pop places of like, like Cuban restaurants. And I mean, after every ballet recital, I'd go to Versailles or like a. Like, like there's La Carreta. La Carrera is a. A racetrack. But anyway, so I think Miami has evolved and this influx of like, New Yorkers or people from all over the place have kind of changed the economy of Miami too, you know?
- [03:56]
Vivian Tu
Definitely. And you mentioned your 305 tattoo that your mom definitely loves, adores. I want to play a fun little game before we get into it. I just want to ease you into the money conversation. You have some incredible tattoos. It's one of the first things you see when you go check out your social media. How much money do you think you've spent in total on all of your tattoos?
- [04:15]
Teffy Pessoa
So not that much because, really. Well, my ex, he went to school with. He went to college with his tattoo artist.
- [04:24]
Vivian Tu
Okay.
- [04:25]
Teffy Pessoa
So then when I started, I had a. I had some tattoos. Like, I think I had like four tattoos when I first started dating that person and then meeting his tattoo artist friend, I think he would charge me $100 a tattoo. And I think now I have, like 25 tattoos.
- [04:42]
Vivian Tu
Wow.
- [04:43]
Teffy Pessoa
What the fuck? But yeah, like, I think.
- [04:46]
Vivian Tu
I mean, I too have a hundred dollar tattoo, but I got it when I was like 21, graduating college. It was very sketchy. I asked the man, I was like, what are the aftercare instructions? He goes, don't worry. If anything bad happens, just text me.
- [04:59]
Teffy Pessoa
Oh, my God.
- [05:00]
Vivian Tu
And so I texted him when something bad was clearly happening and he ghosted me.
- [05:05]
Teffy Pessoa
And so I think now as I get is like, he obviously I met this person. His name is John Starr. He just moved back to Ohio to be with his nieces and nephews because he wants to be part of their life more.
- [05:18]
Vivian Tu
Oh, that's nice.
- [05:18]
Teffy Pessoa
And he married a Cuban girl from Miami by coincidence and then dragged her.
- [05:22]
Vivian Tu
And kidnapped her back to Ohio.
- [05:23]
Teffy Pessoa
She is so fucking cool. I don't know. She's like a world famous illustrator. Like, when she goes to Comic Con, people line up around the corner for her. And he's also just, like, so fucking sick. And they're the kindest people ever. But as I started to become more and more successful in my craft, he would be like, okay, 100 bucks. And be like, john, charge me more. And he's like, 100 bucks. But then next time we'll do like 300 bucks or something. And I'd be like, John, charge me 300 today. So I'd give him my phone and I'd be like, venmo yourself, what this tattoo costs? And he's like. I'm like, please don't put in $10,000. So that would really hurt my feelings. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then he would put in, like, 200 or something. But I should. If this was a person that I had, like, met in the tattoo industry, like, let's say, like, I went to, like, Bang Bang or something. Yeah, yeah. And I. I go to Gnostic Tattoo. That's in Bushwick. It's the oldest tattoo shop in Brooklyn. I think I made that up. Let's just go with it. Let's just go with it. Or the oldest tattoo shop in Bushwick. Whatever. Anyway, I think it's the only tattoo shop in Bushwick. But then. But whatever. It sucks that Popeyes on Metropolitan.
- [06:32]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [06:32]
Teffy Pessoa
And then if it was somebody that I had met, like, organically, like, through the tattoo industry, I'm sure that I would have spent, like, tens of thousands of dollars alone. But because it's John, I had a. I have a good deal now. Since he moved to Ohio, I'm seeing this girl named Tessa. Tessa taught John how to tattoo, and she's done.
- [06:52]
Vivian Tu
Oh, nice.
- [06:53]
Teffy Pessoa
She has. A lot of my tattoos are Florida based, and I don't even know why. Like, I'm not even. Like, people looking at my tattoos.
- [07:01]
Vivian Tu
Hardly home, but always repping, period.
- [07:03]
Teffy Pessoa
They're like, I'm a hometown hero, a hood hero, if you will. But, like, I have a. Like, I have a little boxer here. She did this little boxer kit, and I have a huge bird, like an Everglades bird on my back. And she did it in Two hours. Insane. Some of the best tattoos ever. And then I have a gait. A ballerina riding a gator on my forearm. That's a forearm? Yeah. Thank you.
- [07:29]
Vivian Tu
Thank you.
- [07:30]
Teffy Pessoa
That took 30 minutes. That's literally me. Yeah. But I think the biggest thing with tattoos is that I have never felt not elegant in them. Like, when I put on a gown or something. I don't. Like, when you look at me. Do you see them? I don't even see them. Like, my aunt the other day was like, you have tattoos.
- [07:49]
Vivian Tu
I feel like the way you present yourself is very elegant, and whatever art you want to put on your body just adds to that.
- [07:58]
Teffy Pessoa
Well, I think it's crazy because my mom, like, my mom says that having kids keeps you, like, modern.
- [08:05]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [08:05]
Teffy Pessoa
You know what I mean? And I remember in, like, 1997. Have I told you this about the tattoo stuff? So my brother is tattooed from his chin to his big toe. Like, yeah, full, Full. And his girlfriend, she's Filipino and probably, like, the nicest person I've ever met. And I look at her, I'm like, stand up to him. But then I met. I saw them interact, and she, like, absolutely holds her own, but she's so kind that you, like, worry that, like, should I hold your hand across the street? You're so kind. And she's a tattoo artist, so he just. She's like.
- [08:35]
Vivian Tu
She's doing it.
- [08:36]
Teffy Pessoa
Yeah, all the time, and she's really, really good. But with my brother, when my brother started getting tattoos, I was still hiding a couple for my mom, and my mom was, like, gutted, because I remember in, like, 1997, she was going to hire this new assistant, and she had, like, a Chinese symbol, this, like, Cuban girl on her foot. And she was like, I can't hire her.
- [08:55]
Vivian Tu
Why? Because she has a tattoo.
- [08:57]
Teffy Pessoa
She has a visible tattoo because she could wear ballerina flats. And now I look at my mom, and I'm like, if somebody told me or my brother, my sister has none because she's an angel. Yeah, but she's such a favorite. Literally. But I was like, if somebody came up to you and was like, I can't hire your daughter because of her tattoos or your son, you'd be like, what a fucking idiot. Yeah, I think the idea. And I am like, ew. I think I am, like, the first, like, millionaire in my family. And say it with your chest. Ew.
- [09:27]
Vivian Tu
First millionaire in your family. Bitch.
- [09:29]
Teffy Pessoa
I'm definitely the first one of her children to have, like, $1,000 in their savings account. Let's Go for sure. But I think the idea of what a millionaire was, like, when you're talking about, like a lot, a pinstripe suit or briefcase, a. My mom, I think her dream in life is for me to dress like a secretary on Mad Men. Like, that's her dream in life.
- [09:52]
Vivian Tu
Wait, can I ask you about that? Like, growing up in Miami, obviously, it's a very expensive city, like it used to not be.
- [09:59]
Teffy Pessoa
Right?
- [09:59]
Vivian Tu
Fair.
- [09:59]
Teffy Pessoa
You said $900 for a two bedroom apartment when I was growing up.
- [10:03]
Vivian Tu
When you grew up, like, your mom was a money manager. Like, did you feel like you guys had a lot of money? A little bit of money? Like, was it tough?
- [10:09]
Teffy Pessoa
So I think this is the thing. I am not a big. I'm not big on details. Right. So we had. We had a house in Coral Gables. Yeah. So I'm really proud of my mom because this is the thing. My mom and my dad are so different. I don't have a relationship with my dad anymore. But I remember he was a big spender. If there was a new Audi, he had to have it. Do you remember, like, when Dell computers were huge? Like, first of all, I was like, you don't understand. Justin is the Mac. We need to get the Mac. Like those computer. Those computer commercials. But I remember, like, every time Dell came out with a new one, I remember the day that Gwen Stefani came out with, what you waiting for? He had just gotten a new computer and I could watch YouTube HD. So she came out with her music video and I was like, oh, my God. Like, she had. He had. He had two BMWs, a Ducati, and he was very much about, you gotta spend it to make it. You know what I mean? Where my mom. It was very much like Turtle versus Hare. She was Turtle. So we rented in Coral Gables. Like, she. She. Coral Gables is a very affluent community. There's an ARC that says it's in all coral and it says, welcome to Coral Gables. I could see that from my house. Like, we were right there at the border, so I could go to that school. So we were never wanting. But it's because my mom was so anticipatory of costs. Like, she was frugal. She was. Yeah, but I don't even wanna say frugal. She was strategic. And I look back and I'm like, what do you mean I can't get the sidekick. Like, what the actual fuck are you talking about? But like. But I always. I was never wanting. You know what I mean? Like, we had a Honda Odyssey. And I remember my mom I don't know anybody else's parents that did this. She got a car broker that came to the house and brought and broke down every cost of every vehicle and what it would cost, like, all that stuff. Like, I had never heard of that ever in my life. So she's like, I got a Honda Odyssey because the BMW, suv, whatever, whatever. Doesn't have enough space. And you're gonna be. I'm gonna be taking Estaewon's friends to soccer practice. Like, she was so strategic in it. And we also had my grandparents, who. My grandmother was a homemaker, AKA she was on my ass constantly. Bitch. Constantly. That she'd be like, that elliptical hasn't been used to use in a while. Like, in my house, I had one in the garage. And then my grandfather managed, like, strip malls.
- [12:40]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [12:41]
Teffy Pessoa
But my grandfather's also really strategic in Miami. I didn't know that you had. You paid less taxes, property tax, if you had farm animals on the land. So my grandfather wake up at five in the morning every morning to go to his strip mall that sold golf. We were a golf family. That sold golf stuff. Yeah, sports stuff.
- [12:59]
Vivian Tu
Do you golf now, honey? No.
- [13:01]
Teffy Pessoa
Okay.
- [13:02]
Vivian Tu
Okay. Good chat.
- [13:03]
Teffy Pessoa
You crash one golf cart in 2003 and then you can't go back. 1.
- [13:08]
Vivian Tu
She's banned, y'all.
- [13:09]
Teffy Pessoa
One you got. You get caught one time on the golf course, one time. No, it's fine. I can't. I wish I could, but. But I'm going to start after my grandparents pass. My mom wants to get back into it, so I'm going to start taking lessons with her.
- [13:23]
Vivian Tu
Good.
- [13:23]
Teffy Pessoa
But I remember my grandfather used to wake up in the morning because he had to go feed those cows. So, like, they were always. I think there's this, like, stigma too, about, like, immigrants coming to this country and they don't know what they're doing. Babe. My parents were on their shit. And I think that's a big reason my parents, like, my mom fell out of love, essentially, or it didn't work out with my dad is because my dad. Fuck. I think I'm a lot like my dad when I talk about spending. I do love to spend, but, like. But I have the means. But I think he was also somebody that was, like, very impuls and very. There is this Latin thing obsessed with the American dream.
- [13:59]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [14:00]
Teffy Pessoa
Like, the American dream is essentially. I mean, I hate to say the T word, but essentially, Donald Trump was kind of the icon. Or. Who else, like, who else was Henry Ford, too? Like, this person.
- [14:11]
Vivian Tu
The Carnegies, the Vanderbilts.
- [14:13]
Teffy Pessoa
The Rockefellers. Exactly. Like, these are American families that come from, like, a legacy of, like, real estate investment, but also, like, owning stuff. And there's this idea of this ladder where I think there's a lot of people that came here in the 80s, and there was so much excess and so much money and, like, stocks and everything. Economy was blowing up. And I hear the cocaine was insane. Rumors. I'm half Colombia. Rumors, rumors, rumors. But, like, I think my. They went two routes. Where my mom grew up in a house of stability and investment. And my dad came here, and he hit the. He tried to hit the ground running, and it blew up in his face, essentially.
- [14:53]
Vivian Tu
I mean, I feel like that's, like, two, like, very specific courses of Latin culture, of, like, familial, like, taking care of everybody. And that's, like, so feminine. And then the machismo side of being like, everybody gotta know I got it.
- [15:08]
Teffy Pessoa
Yeah, definitely. I think. And I understand both. Like, sometimes it's like, when we go to these fashion things. Yes. And they're like, the brand won't pay for you this time. Like, basic. What happens sometimes? The camera. To the influencers of tomorrow. Yeah. So basically, sometimes, let's say you get invited to, like, a Gucci event, and you will hear that they do pay for other influencers to have their hair and makeup done and give them, like, an outfit, you know? But the first time you're invited, as you build this relationship, it's on you. So your team will tell you this is an investment. You know, like, you have to, like. And you maybe can write it off or something.
- [15:44]
Vivian Tu
You're spending $10,000.
- [15:46]
Teffy Pessoa
Yeah.
- [15:46]
Vivian Tu
You're spending 500 on makeup. Styling is a couple thou. Then you got to transport yourself to said event. Maybe there's a flight involved and a hotel, and suddenly it's thousands of dollars.
- [15:56]
Teffy Pessoa
Yeah, thousands. I think. Brand. I spent $9,000 on one event, and then they didn't. And they didn't want to continue that relationship. Cause they fucking suck. And then whatever. I was like, are you serious? And then I think after that, I had two more parties to go to, and those two continue those relationships. So, like, two out of three ain't bad. That's like, a good investment, right?
- [16:24]
Vivian Tu
In your career, especially.
- [16:26]
Teffy Pessoa
Yes.
- [16:27]
Vivian Tu
And I want to talk a little bit about the investing pie. Mom. Money manager.
- [16:31]
Teffy Pessoa
Yeah.
- [16:32]
Vivian Tu
What do you think is, like, the best piece of money advice your mom ever gave you? Mj, Come through.
- [16:38]
Teffy Pessoa
I think the best piece of money advice my mom ever gave me was to. It's kind of like the reason she does what she does is because she has good instincts. And she also is able to. She's. She kind of has to be a fortune teller and a gambler kind of. She's not day trading. I think that's a big thing, too. My mom says do not day trade.
- [17:01]
Vivian Tu
Of course, that is good advice.
- [17:03]
Teffy Pessoa
Some of my friends took courses in 2020, and my mom flew in. Actually, it's funny because one of my best friends, her wife is a lot younger than us. And I brought my mom to the party, and my friend goes up to me. She goes, somebody went up to me and said, who's this older woman at the party? And I said, teffy. Cause I didn't know your mom was here. So they said that I was the older woman. I was like, what the fuck?
- [17:26]
Vivian Tu
My feelings would be so hurt.
- [17:28]
Teffy Pessoa
So I'm like, I'm literally seven years older than whatever anyway. And my mom came to visit and she sat down and she was like, you are wasting your time. Like, this is. You know. So I think the biggest lesson in my mom is, like, fast cash is not real cash. I remember when was the Gamestop.
- [17:45]
Vivian Tu
Oh, yeah. Like, mid Pandemi, when people were like, everybody, it's free money.
- [17:49]
Teffy Pessoa
Yeah. She called me. She called me and she was like, do not fuck around with this. Like, you're just starting to make money. Yeah. Before I started content creation, I always made, like, $20,000, $22,000 a year.
- [18:03]
Vivian Tu
I have here you were making $21,000 a year as a receptionist, but then you kind of had like a low, high, low, high moment of becoming, you know, a host at a production company making $200,000 a year. But then Covid hits. How do you ride the wave of $21,000 a year to 200,000 to nothing? And then to create a career, every.
- [18:26]
Teffy Pessoa
Week on Thursdays, I go to nyc.gov and I'd ask Joe Biden for my $400 and the site would crash. Like, just go on safari. Do it again, I think. So. As a receptionist, I was also pretty used to living within those means. And my mom would not, not help me, like, if I asked her for, like, 10 bucks so I could get, like, Barilla pasta. Like, I really hustled my ass off till I was 29. And then when they gave me that contract, I went to that cold audition and I got this part or whatever, and they sent me the contract for $200,000. I sound a year. I signed it because I thought they made a mistake. And I said, ah, you can't change it now.
- [19:07]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [19:07]
Teffy Pessoa
Like, I thought it was a big mistake.
- [19:09]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [19:09]
Teffy Pessoa
And then they paid for my health insurance. Then when that ended, I guess in my mind, a confidence thing happened where I didn't. There was no plan B like, that. I'm going to do that. Like, once you meet, it's like what you do right now. Like, once you figure out, like, what you can do and what you want to do. I caught with when scissors meet wrapping paper. And that glides.
- [19:35]
Vivian Tu
And it glides. Oh, feels so good.
- [19:37]
Teffy Pessoa
I know. I wish I had some right now. Give mama what she wants. No, but I think when you figure out what you want to do and it's profitable, like, that moment, it becomes profitable, there's no going back. So that moment where I had to go back down to, like, 400 bucks, whatever, it was, like, so temporary in my mind. And I feel delusional, or I felt delusional talking about it, but I had to lean into delusion in order to continue making content. I was making, like, 40 videos a day.
- [20:09]
Vivian Tu
Really?
- [20:10]
Teffy Pessoa
What the fuck, Teffy? Have a little pride. Yeah. But I think, honestly, between my ex, I didn't want to interrupt him because he was paying for Tinder gold, and he was so consistently and ferociously cheating on me that he was so focused that I was kind of, like, left alone.
- [20:23]
Vivian Tu
Married to the game, I guess.
- [20:25]
Teffy Pessoa
Like, literally, I'm like, he's sending so many emails. Like, he must be working so hard. And it was just, you know. But also, it's not just Tinder. It was like, you know, hinge and stuff. So respect. Multitasking king. But no, we forgive. We forgive. We forget.
- [20:40]
Vivian Tu
No, we don't.
- [20:41]
Teffy Pessoa
We medicate. And I think during that time, you still weren't getting paid for content. So that was really just like prayer. Like throwing a Hail Mary. Sports, throwing a Hail Mary. And like, this is like when the.
- [20:55]
Vivian Tu
TikTok Creator Fund was paying you, like, 47 cents for 8 billion views.
- [21:00]
Teffy Pessoa
1,000%. And I'm gonna say something else too. Like, I had been looking for that validation in my life for so long outside my. Like, my. My relationship wasn't validating anymore. My family, I couldn't see them. Cause I was scared I would kill them. You know? Like, I was looking for community so bad. And I had realized at that time, too, like, some of my friendships were not gonna work out either. And I'd had them for, like, decades. And the community that TikTok gave me was worth, like, millions and millions of dollars. I would have probably continued doing that for free, you know? And then when I finally got a manager, I started getting more deals and stuff. And I remember the first check, the first content deal I ever did was $250. And I was like, I can't believe they're gonna give me 250 bucks for pictures. Like, that's crazy.
- [21:53]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [21:54]
Teffy Pessoa
And then the second.
- [21:55]
Vivian Tu
And not even of your feet.
- [21:56]
Teffy Pessoa
No, not even my girl. My feet are so. I was a ballerina. I'd have to pay you to look at my fucking feet. Like, they are so busted. I'm a 10 wide. When I was born, my mom said they look like little trapezoids. No. She was like, go get the W on the baby shoes. But I think my second check, I'll never forget. So I remember when I was younger, I'd got a tax return and they made a mistake and it was $8,000. And I put it in my account. And even though I knew I was gonna have to return it, I wanted to see it on my app, on my bank of America app, and be like, oh, my God, this. This is the. I have $8,000 in my account.
- [22:31]
Vivian Tu
That means something.
- [22:32]
Teffy Pessoa
Means something. And then they took it away and I had $8. And I said, here we go. Tale as old as time, back to normal. And then the second deal I got was $28,000.
- [22:44]
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert Flouride Kennedy Jr. Went before the Senate today in fiery confirmation hearings.
- [22:51]
Teffy Pessoa
Did you say Lyme disease is a highly likely militarily engineered bioweapon? I probably did say that.
- [22:59]
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy makes two big arguments about our health, and the first is deeply divisive. He is skeptical of vaccines.
- [23:06]
Teffy Pessoa
Well, I do believe that autism does come from vaccines.
- [23:11]
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Science disagrees. The second argument is something that a lot of Americans, regardless of their politics, have concluded. He says our food system is serving us garbage and that garbage is making us sick. Coming up on Today, explained a confidant of Kennedy's. In fact, the man who helped facilitate his introduction to Donald Trump on what the Make America Healthy Again movement wants today. Explain weekdays, wherever you get your podcasts.
- [23:40]
Teffy Pessoa
Wait, wait, wait.
- [23:41]
Vivian Tu
So you went from 250.
- [23:42]
Teffy Pessoa
250 to 20 ags to 28 GS? Yeah, and I think during that time too, I was getting about a thousand followers a day. So my second deal was probably like the next month where I had made a substantial amount of followers at that time. I remember one day I made a hundred thousand followers in one day. I don't know what it was, but obviously I think it was Like a series. Whatever. Doesn't matter. But as your follower, engagement stuff goes up. Exactly. And so does your rate. And with $28,000, I was like, this is. Guys, I can quit. Like, this will last me a lifetime. Because, like, when you're working with pennies your whole life, $28,000 I could have bought. In my mind, I'm like, I could buy a house.
- [24:25]
Vivian Tu
Did you buy anything with that first check? Or, like, did you treat yourself?
- [24:29]
Teffy Pessoa
I took me and my ex to, like, a big dinner. Or, like, I think I ordered. Yeah. But baby girl was also eating, too. I gained 30 fucking pounds in the. In the. Oh, she was good. I was like, I gotta stop washing these jeans. No, that was like. It was like a big, big dinner. And then I think I went on a secondhand shop and I got a Gucci purse for, like, 200 bucks. And it was, like, tarnished beyond belief. Like, she lived a very long life, but I think, well loved. I do. As time went on, I let go of my, like, money anxiety.
- [25:06]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [25:06]
Teffy Pessoa
You know what I mean?
- [25:07]
Vivian Tu
Where do you think that came from?
- [25:08]
Teffy Pessoa
I think. I mean, I had parents who, like, my grandparents and my mom who, like, adamantly saved. And, like, when you go to public school, you are around people who come from all different kinds of backgrounds. Like, whether they are recent refugees starting a business. I know people who were dead fucking broke and then Hurricane Andrew hit, and they had a construction business, and now they're one of the biggest families in Miami, you know? So, like, I. I think the anxiety of, okay, if the world collapses on me, like, I need at least $28,000. Like, at least. Or maybe it was 23. It was around there. But I remember thinking, this is more than I make in a fucking year.
- [25:51]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [25:51]
Teffy Pessoa
Or I used to. Whatever.
- [25:52]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [25:53]
Teffy Pessoa
And then.
- [25:54]
Vivian Tu
But did you actually set any money aside for taxes?
- [25:58]
Teffy Pessoa
I have a sad story. Wow.
- [26:00]
Vivian Tu
I want to hear the story now, because that silence was deafening.
- [26:02]
Teffy Pessoa
I didn't pay my taxes for two years.
- [26:05]
Vivian Tu
What do you mean?
- [26:06]
Teffy Pessoa
I didn't pay my taxes for two years. Sometimes time goes by really fast. And then I got. But I also wasn't being represented well, and I wasn't being taken care of well. So then finally, when I signed with uta, they were like, we're gonna set you up with a lawyer and a business manager. And I work with Jared Kroll, and Jared Kroll is the best thing that's ever happened to me. One thing I've noticed, though, is I'm very lax. Like, if you tell me that you're Taking care of it. Like, I absolutely believe you. And I've realized we literally could not.
- [26:35]
Vivian Tu
Be more different in that way.
- [26:37]
Teffy Pessoa
I'm very hands on.
- [26:38]
Vivian Tu
I am constantly clenched.
- [26:39]
Teffy Pessoa
No, he sends me my balance and stuff. I don't even open it. I know. Because. Well, it's also probably my avoidance stuff.
- [26:45]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [26:45]
Teffy Pessoa
But I also trust him so much. He likes. He sat me down, he was like, okay, one, you're fine. Yeah. Two, we're going to spend a lot of money on taxes. But most people who don't pay their taxes are rich.
- [26:59]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [26:59]
Teffy Pessoa
And I was like, cool. Cool. Guilty. That's my favorite word, you know? So he has really. He saved me so many. So much money. He's been on the phone with my mom to explain it to my mom because I am so like, what does this mean? Whatever. And my mom is like, okay, explain it to me. I'll explain it to you. Like, he is so patient with me. And he's explained to me, like, retirement and 401k and insurance and like all this different stuff that I had and stocks and investments and all that stuff. And he's been so wonderful about it. And he's. And he tolerates my mom calling him, talking to him. My mom is very. That is a gift, by the way.
- [27:33]
Vivian Tu
To have your mom call him. That's not tolerate. That's a gift.
- [27:36]
Teffy Pessoa
She's very, very involved. And then I also have an account with my mom.
- [27:38]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [27:39]
Teffy Pessoa
So I love that though. I love that she's at Raymond James.
- [27:44]
Vivian Tu
Shout out Raymond James, I guess.
- [27:45]
Teffy Pessoa
Shout out Raymond James, please.
- [27:48]
Vivian Tu
When you started making money versus when you had very little, how did your budgeting change? Like, did you move into a nicer apartment? Did you change what you were eating, living?
- [27:59]
Teffy Pessoa
I became responsible for. For like everything, essentially. Like, I was in the beginning when I started making money, I was the one then who started, you know, like paying rent and like utilities and all that stuff. So that's one thing that really changed where instead of being like, I can only pay a third or a half or like, I'm gonna be late this month. It was like all on me. And I really.
- [28:22]
Vivian Tu
And at this time you're still living with your ex.
- [28:24]
Teffy Pessoa
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And we did get to go and get into a bigger apartment in the same building. You know, like, we did get to do that. And it was a joy. Like, I think becoming. There's a saying my ex boss used to tell me, whatever you are, when you're broke, you become more of when you're wealthy. So if you're a joy generous person when you're broke. You become exponentially more generous when you're wealthy. And the other side, too, if you're like a dick, you know. So I think I found the joy in taking care of people through making money. And also I became really involved. And, like, I would go on. I would go on, like, change.com and just pay for someone's whole thing. Like, I'd just be like, just do it. And I found a lot of joy in that. So I.
- [29:08]
Vivian Tu
Do you think that's the best thing you've ever bought?
- [29:11]
Teffy Pessoa
The best thing? Yeah, probably. I mean, there are so many. I just got, like, a painting, a print of someone's olive trees. Like, I helped somebody with their Gofundme and their family's Palestinian, and her father passed away. And she sent me a picture, a print of a picture of an olive tree on her farm in Palestine. And I thought that was so beautiful. Thank you. So, like, generational, like, that's a tree that, like, her great grandfather took care of. And I think, like, those are the things that I really, really love. And money. Money doesn't make you happy, but it does make things a hell of a lot fucking easier, you know? And it does put you in a position where there's great responsibility with that too. And I take that very seriously. Like, if a hurricane happens or something, I'm in there, you know, and. Cause I'm able to, you know. So I think that's, like, the best thing that you can invest in is the people around you, you know? And hopefully one day when they become wealthy, you know, hopefully they think of, like, me, you know.
- [30:14]
Vivian Tu
No, but, like, bringing up your community as you're going, it's not just about you getting rich and then closing the door behind you. It's like bringing up the community, like.
- [30:21]
Teffy Pessoa
Inspiring people to help the people around them. For sure. Yeah. That's the best. Like, the purse gets old, you know? Yeah. There's not a. There's not a vintage purse designer person I don't own. Like, I love, like, going in. Don't get me wrong. I love walking into, like, a Marnie or something and buying whatever, but that shit gets old, you know?
- [30:39]
Vivian Tu
Nothing ever feels as good as your first bag. Oh, I've been chasing that high since forever.
- [30:45]
Teffy Pessoa
I think my first. First. First bag was a ysl, like, python bag. I didn't know it was python until after I was like, that explains that price. Yes, yes, yes, yes.
- [30:58]
Vivian Tu
And it's still Definitely your favorite.
- [30:59]
Teffy Pessoa
1,000%. I'm 1,000%.
- [31:02]
Vivian Tu
I want to take a quick step back because you genuinely are so charismatic. You are so funny. That's not something that you can teach in school. And you've talked really openly about the fact that you went to college and ended up dropping out five times. Five times. Like, talk me through that. Because normally in our society, we tell all these kids, if you want to be successful, you need to go to college. You need to get a degree. Clearly, that hasn't been the case for you, but. But were you scared when you dropped out?
- [31:30]
Teffy Pessoa
Out of my mind. Everybody. My mom is in wealth management. She got her master's at the New School. My grandfather got his master's at Cornell. Took my family over to Ithaca in 1964, and then they went back to Medellin. And he was like. He ran the biggest textile company in Colombia. My aunt went to the best liberal arts school in the country in Maine. I come from a very educated family. And then to. Look, my grandfather went to boarding school, and he's never had less than an A. You know what I mean? But I also went to school, went to a. Like, I come from a family where my mom was like, Cs get degrees. Just pass. I don't need you to get, like, a. Really?
- [32:14]
Vivian Tu
Was that her attitude?
- [32:15]
Teffy Pessoa
Yeah, she's like, if you got a D in math, but you got a one in effort, like, who am I? Like, poor baby. But, like, who am I to, like, you know? Like, obviously you're trying really hard.
- [32:25]
Vivian Tu
I'm kind of surprised by that. Just given her career trajectory and what you're telling me about your grandfather, like, there weren't these, like, crazy expectations?
- [32:32]
Teffy Pessoa
No, I think. I think my grandfather, we kind of kept him in the dark about, like, our grades and stuff. But, like, my mom was very much aware of, you can go to community college and then go to. And go to Yale. You know what I mean? Like, you can go to community college and go to, um. Or something. So she was just like, just pass.
- [32:49]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [32:50]
Teffy Pessoa
She also didn't place that much emphasis on high school. Once her friends who had, like, older kids started to, like, burn themselves out. Yeah, like, we had. I know some cousins of mine that did that, too. Like, just was. And I was graduation speaker. I was like. I had, like, a 3.9 GPA by the time I graduated high school. So I got into college, and I was burnt the fuck out. And also, I was going through a breakup with a boyfriend that I had for a very, very long time. And so I discovered alcohol, so I was partying And I'm in Miami. Okay.
- [33:29]
Vivian Tu
Oh, where the partying is good.
- [33:31]
Teffy Pessoa
I should have paid rent at liv. Like, I should have. Like, I was on tabletops. I was getting kicked out of clubs, I was getting kicked out of bars. Like, I was getting kicked, like, all this. Like I was having the time of my absolute fucking life. I thought it was Effie and Skins. Like, I was like, living. And then you're artist in residence at liv. That's exactly it. Like in Planet Hollywood, when they have the outfits. Like, they're gonna have one of my club outfits. So then I think going to school in college, like, going to college. I went to a bunch of different colleges, universities, whatever. I realized I could not handle that freedom. Like them telling me, like, if you don't come to class, we won't call your mom. I was like, you're joking. And having a car, My Honda Civic that Steve, our car broker, said was best for us. Yes. Like, I could not handle that kind of freedom. So I needed regimen and I needed, like, stability and security and I. And college is like, you're just on your own.
- [34:31]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [34:31]
Teffy Pessoa
I don't understand how 18 year old and that was in my hometown. If I'd gone to like, FSU or something or like New York, I would be homeless in three days. Like, I. I don't know how kids do it at 18 years old. That. That's probably where, like, pressure and shit comes from. Like, I have to pass.
- [34:47]
Vivian Tu
I never got worse grades than I did first semester of college. Like, because I was just drunk all the time.
- [34:53]
Teffy Pessoa
The 24 hour cafeteria card.
- [34:55]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [34:55]
Teffy Pessoa
You think I'm leaving? Yeah, like, are you joking?
- [34:58]
Vivian Tu
Tater Tots on rotation, please.
- [35:01]
Teffy Pessoa
We had one of my schools had froyo on town.
- [35:03]
Vivian Tu
Oh, it's not good.
- [35:04]
Teffy Pessoa
Get out of town. So I think that was the biggest thing in my life is I was so used to being micromanaged and smothered by my family. And just about like, good girls do this, bad girls say this, bad girls get tattooed. Like, so, like, try like my mom. My mom is besides herself that I don't own a cardigan to this day. Besides herself. She comes over and she's like, no cardigans. I'm like, well, I'm not 60 years old. Or Princess Diana. Like, Princess Diana can do whatever the fuck she wants. She could wrap it around her head and walk around and it would be like, chic. But, like her for me, she wanted me to be this like, like Hispanic nice girl.
- [35:46]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [35:46]
Teffy Pessoa
She wanted me to be like the girl that Goes to, like, private school, whatever. And I was very much, I have a woman stabbing herself in the head on my shoulder. Right. Like, I'm not gonna be that.
- [35:57]
Vivian Tu
That's why she put you in ballet.
- [36:00]
Teffy Pessoa
Yes. And no girls would see themselves that much in leggings. No. I'd be like, the tattoo should go here.
- [36:05]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [36:06]
Teffy Pessoa
No. I was very, very rebellious, but also very aware that as long as I'm like, my family wanted me to be a good person, I think I'm a good person, but just not by their, like, physical standards. When I was younger, now they don't give a shit. They thought I was never gonna get a job, and they were super scared I'd never get, like, health insurance. Thank you, Oscar. But I think now, looking at me, what a Hispanic or Latin girl looks like to them is different. Like, it's new.
- [36:38]
Vivian Tu
And what she can look like.
- [36:40]
Teffy Pessoa
I can. Because I think. I think being like, I don't need to get married. Like, I don't need to have children. Like, I don't need to do. I want to. I don't know. But, like, I don't. I don't need to, like, work at. I don't need to be a doctor. I don't need to be a lawyer for me to be successful. And I think. I think about, like, my grandparents, they're no longer physically here. And one time I got this reading from this psychic, and she said, there's an older man here and he is in a golf cart. Let's go, let's go. And I was like, oh, that's for sure. My grandfather. And she's like, well, he's not letting me talk. And I'm like, that's where I get it from. Like, he's for sure my grandfather. And she said, he doesn't understand what you do, but he's so proud of you. And I was like, it is beyond, like, their wildest dreams that I could just put up my cell phone and, like, and talk and, like, make money. You know what I mean? Like, that is beyond.
- [37:37]
Vivian Tu
That is the American dream.
- [37:38]
Teffy Pessoa
That is the American dream. Yes.
- [37:40]
Vivian Tu
You've accomplished it.
- [37:41]
Teffy Pessoa
Yes, yes, yes. But I do feel like with money and stuff, I do have to be. My mom was like, you have to be more hands on with your money because then you'll have people who are taking care of your money think that that's okay, that they can just make decisions for you. And that's been tough. Like, everything else, like being myself, making money, getting tattoos and picking the worst men. That's always Coming in easy to me, easy. I tell people, don't be flattered. If I like you, I have the worst taste ever. But talking about dating, even I was talking to one of my friends that I don't think I've had. I don't think I've had real feelings for someone since 2017. Like years, years, years. Well, this person and I, we broke up in 2021. And I don't think I've like felt like invested in someone or like really attached to someone since then or like really romantic feelings for someone, like since then, for real, in like a real way. And it's not because I haven't met like okay people or whatever, like I've only been dating freaks. It's because that jump, when you start taking care of your money and yourself, your standards change. So when I first met, like when I first started dating after that breakup, people would be like, my credit score is 530.
- [38:52]
Vivian Tu
And you'd be like, I can't, I don't wanna do that.
- [38:55]
Teffy Pessoa
I can't. Like, or like in my mind at 31, I'm like, so I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the one that's credit goes towards like a house or something, or like, God forbid, a boat or whatever. Like, or someone I would one time on a date I had to explain like a car note or a mortgage, you know what I mean? Like, they were like, they didn't understand the big short. I'm like, lucky for you, I was 18 years old living at home with MJ, so I heard it all the time, you know. So I think your standards change so much as you get older, but also as you acquire some wealth. The way people take care of themselves and their future and their finances says a lot about them. Like Oprah once said, the way that you treat your wallet is the way you treat your finances. I'll never forget that. She's like, if you have a bunch of crumpled bills and it's all over the place, like you don't really take your finances.
- [39:44]
Vivian Tu
Don't tell me that because I got a bunch of crumpled stuff in my purse right now.
- [39:47]
Teffy Pessoa
Well, Oprah said it in 2004. Maybe she has changed her mind since then because people don't have wallets. Well, I have an apple wallet and that shit is always nice and clean. Exactly. But I think that's something that I was talking about with my friend that was so important that I wish I could tell 27 year old me, like, as you're dating, ask them. And it's awkward. But ask them about their credit, ask them about their student loans.
- [40:09]
Vivian Tu
You know, this is the best advice. And I'm curious, like, what would be kind of like your financial deal breakers now? If you are dating right now, like, give me a list of five things that you're looking for in a partner.
- [40:23]
Teffy Pessoa
Financially. Yeah, financially. I need someone who reads the news. That is financial.
- [40:31]
Vivian Tu
That is financial.
- [40:32]
Teffy Pessoa
You gotta read the news. You gotta check what's going on in the world.
- [40:35]
Vivian Tu
And you gotta know how those headlines are gonna impact you 1,000%. Because I think you and I have some similar views on things.
- [40:41]
Teffy Pessoa
And when I saw those stocks rising on that night, I knew what was gonna happen.
- [40:45]
Vivian Tu
Yeah. And. And I also think it's really frustrating when so many of us, you and me in particular, vote a certain way against our best financial interests.
- [40:56]
Teffy Pessoa
I try to say that to people like, you don't think I want to.
- [40:59]
Vivian Tu
You're like, you think the amount of money I'm making, I don't want things to go a certain way. But I think it's also very hard to be a one issue voter right now.
- [41:08]
Teffy Pessoa
What good is money if your neighbor can't thrive?
- [41:12]
Vivian Tu
Right?
- [41:13]
Teffy Pessoa
That's how I feel like, I think people who are one issue voters, you have to go out in the world, you should go spend, go volunteer at a shelter, go volunteer at a youth shelter, go volunteer at a gay shelter, go to a soup kitchen, go volunteer at a library. Look at the people around you. Look at the people who come and use those computers. The privilege of being a one issue voter sometimes for me is like, come on, you know, And I think what.
- [41:43]
Vivian Tu
I was gonna say. So you said has to read the news.
- [41:45]
Teffy Pessoa
Has to read the news.
- [41:45]
Vivian Tu
They have to be.
- [41:46]
Teffy Pessoa
They have to vote.
- [41:47]
Vivian Tu
They have to vote, vote. That's a financial issue.
- [41:49]
Teffy Pessoa
Yes.
- [41:49]
Vivian Tu
But also it sounds like you want someone who is kind and generous and thoughtful with their money.
- [41:54]
Teffy Pessoa
I was gonna say one thing is I would love to be with someone and I have kind of in the past, I think, like, okay, one ex of mine, my most recent one was like one social cause that you feel really strongly about. I think is admirable. Where you spend time, you spend money. And that is an investment of like yourself, your gener, you know what I mean? And someone that is active in their communities. I think that's really, really important because you got to know where your tax money is going to. There are sometimes I go to dinner parties and stuff and people are like, well, like this mayor didn't do anything with crime, but only like potholes and stuff. I'm like, how do you know that you know, like you got to read the fucking news. And then I think another thing is.
- [42:38]
Vivian Tu
You said earlier not too low a correction score.
- [42:40]
Teffy Pessoa
Not too low. No 2. And I had one person that I was like dating that said I don't want to pay my student loans because it'll go away in seven years. I said, who the. Who told you that?
- [42:50]
Vivian Tu
Who told you that?
- [42:51]
Teffy Pessoa
Who told. So whoever told you that isn't paying their student loans. Like I sent my mom an article one saying in the cigarettes may not be bad for you. And my mom was like, whoever wrote that smoke cigarettes. You know what I mean? Like, who's ever telling you not to pay your credit or not to pay. To pay off your credit cards or not to. To pay your student loans isn't paying their credit or student loans and they're screwing themselves in the bank 1,000%. 1,000. And then I think also somebody who. I know this is so like niche, but I have my bank text me my balance every day. Every day, Every day. It's a daily text. Because when you are broke and you are so avoidant of going and checking your balance and then you go into this horrible cycle of going over, what's it called, like over overdrafting like that is like financial stress is a stress. I wouldn't wish my worst enemy. It is a noose, truly. Like going to bed knowing you have bills coming and you don't know how to pay them. It is the worst feeling in the world. And one way that I headed that on is I have my bank. You can sign up for text notifications. I want someone to know what's in their bank. Yeah, and you have to have a savings account too, I think.
- [43:59]
Vivian Tu
Yeah.
- [44:00]
Teffy Pessoa
You have to be a fucking grownup if you want to date me. You have to grow up. And if you. And it's not about having money. I don't care if you are a cashier. Actually, I fucking prefer it if you don't want to be online. That would be amazing.
- [44:12]
Vivian Tu
You know, 90 followers on Instagram is perfect.
- [44:15]
Teffy Pessoa
Shut up. And it's all like your boat or something. I don't even care. Like it's like your dog boat.
- [44:20]
Vivian Tu
Perfect.
- [44:21]
Teffy Pessoa
Ah, you know somebody that has no want or like somebody who owns like a restaurant or like somebody who like has a donut shop. A producer of some sort, whatever. But I don't care if you are a telemarketer or like Bill Gates. You have to know what's going on in your life and how you take care of yourself in case of an emergency, your daily life. And like, if you want to be with me, how are you going to help me? Are you going to be a drain or a fountain in my life? And a lot of that has to do. There are two kinds of people, fountains and drains. And if you are going to be a fountain, you have to take care of yourself too. I can't be the one. I don't want to be your guarantor, you know?
- [44:59]
Vivian Tu
Yeah, I can't co sign this for you.
- [45:00]
Teffy Pessoa
I will. I refuse. Unless there's like this huge emergency or like whatever. Of course. But. But if we're gonna start getting to know each other, I wanna make sure I'm with somebody who's like on stable foundation or at least wanting to, you.
- [45:13]
Vivian Tu
Know, and for kind of like one of my last questions. You are one of the most successful, largest, beloved Latino creators. You're always talking about your identity, like, what do you really hope to use your platform to build for the Latino community? And was there like a specific moment where you realized you were making this big impact?
- [45:36]
Teffy Pessoa
I think for me in the Latino community, I want to make sure that people feel proud of where they come from, that they don't have to hide their Latin dad because of the way that they look or a lack of Spanish. Like, what you. You cannot change blood. And there's a lot to be proud of, you know, and there's also a lot of difficult conversations in the Latin community that I have no shame talking about. Whether it be mental, whether it be finances, growing up with. Not a lot, but maybe just enough. Like, whether it be an identity of like, am I American? Am I Latin? You know, like, am I. Am I the Olsen twin today or am I Sofia Obregada? Like, that is a hard thing to walk the line of. Also, there's a lot of talk, a lot of shame. And divorce, domestic violence. There are so many things that are like, taboo. And I think we should talk about that more. So if anything, I hope to leave a mark of like, you can talk about things and still and not have to sacrifice any pride. You know what I mean? I respect vulnerability a lot. I also see a lot of things that have happened in my life and my friend's life and my parents life as just part of their stories, not their identities. Like, whatever happened to them is not who they are to me today. It's part of their stories. So I want to let go of like a lot of shame in my culture too. And I think the sickest thing that's ever happened is this girl DMed me once, and she was like, I left my man today. Like, he was super abusive to me. And the whole ride to the shelter that she went to, I was listening to your TikToks, and that's all I think we want to do for each other.
- [47:26]
Vivian Tu
Did you cry? I would cry.
- [47:27]
Teffy Pessoa
I sobbed hysterically because. And I said thank you for, like, bringing me with you, you know, like. And I think that's the most impactful thing you can do, is be there for people. Like, even if it's one thing that you've said. Like, how many people have DMed you been like, I finally did it. I got.
- [47:45]
Vivian Tu
I opened the savings account. I made the budget, I invested.
- [47:48]
Teffy Pessoa
I had my first $100,000, whatever it is. Like, that stuff. My first $1,000. I got my first apartment. I finally saved up or whatever.
- [47:57]
Vivian Tu
I had someone tell me they left their partner and. Because they finally could financially. And I was like, so real.
- [48:03]
Teffy Pessoa
So real.
- [48:04]
Vivian Tu
Me making videos in my sweatpants at home, like, help this woman out of a bad marriage or bad relationship.
- [48:09]
Teffy Pessoa
I'm like, me here with my double chin saying, yeah, like, truly, that is the most. That is what it's all about. Social media is about community and people and it. And it's not just Latin people. I also. I represent eldest daughters, you know, Miami girls, American girls, you know, like, so much. Wine drinkers or, like, Bushwick girls. Bushwick girls, tattoo girls. Like, there's a bunch of stuff that I. Sisters with gay family members, whatever. Like, all this shit and dreamers, you know? So I think that's the most impactful thing that you make sure that, like, you remain part of the people.
- [48:55]
Vivian Tu
Yeah. You know, and to close us out.
- [48:58]
Teffy Pessoa
Did I answer any question?
- [48:59]
Vivian Tu
Yes, you answered all of my questions very well. And now I flip it back on you, knowing that I talk about money, we talk about finance. Is there something that I can help you with today? A question you might have for me? Oh, I stumped her.
- [49:14]
Teffy Pessoa
I don't know. I think. I think. You know what? I'll text you if I do. Yeah, I don't think I have one right now. Only because, you know what? Maybe. No, I don't. Just a lot of love for you, but I think, honestly, your videos do help me. Like, I. Like, every time you talk about, like, trends or, like, buzzwords in the finance community, like, you really do. Like, is your LinkedIn, like, popping?
- [49:46]
Vivian Tu
My LinkedIn's pretty poppin.
- [49:47]
Teffy Pessoa
Yeah. I can see, like, people Must be like, you know, if I had you when I was, like, 23, I think I would be way ahead of my game. I'm very jealous of people that get to meet you in their early 20s. Very jealous.
- [50:03]
Vivian Tu
I'm jealous of people who get to meet me in their early 20s because I didn't do any of this stuff in my early 20s. I was at Fiddlesticks. Overdrafting on my account because Jamba Juice. Yeah, literally, like, I think we make so many mistakes, but you can always be smarter tomorrow than you are today.
- [50:22]
Teffy Pessoa
You can be. And you know what? As my last statement, it could be worse. You could have worked at Lehman Brothers. That was my mom's first job in finance. She worked at Lehman Brothers. So it could be worse. Every time something fucked up happens to me, I'm like, it could be worse.
- [50:35]
Vivian Tu
Your whole career could crash around you in a crisis.
- [50:38]
Teffy Pessoa
I still have a Lehman Brothers cap. Isn't that fucking.
- [50:41]
Vivian Tu
That's vintage. I would sell that. That'd be, like, worth money. I'd buy that.
- [50:44]
Teffy Pessoa
They'd probably buy it off me. They need it.
- [50:45]
Vivian Tu
Yeah, literally.
- [50:46]
Teffy Pessoa
No, but you're amazing. I adore you. You're an honorary Miami girl.
- [50:51]
Vivian Tu
I love that so much. Please tell everyone where they can find.
- [50:54]
Teffy Pessoa
You in your dreams. I say that every podcast. You can find me @helloteffy on Instagram and TikTok, but not Twitter.
- [51:05]
Vivian Tu
Not Twitter. Thank you so much for being here. Thank you. Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Net Worth and Chill, part of the Vox Media podcast network. If you liked the episode, make sure to leave a rating and review and subscribe so you never miss an episod. Got a burning financial question that you want covered in a future episode? Write to us via podcast at yourrichbff. Com, Follow Net Worth and chillpod on Instagram to stay up to date on all podcast related news. And you can follow me at YourRichBFF for even more financial know how. See you next week.
- [51:36]
Teffy Pessoa
Bye.