2024 Reflections & Wicked Pay’s Journey: A Year of Growth, Community, and Big Plans for 2025!

💸✨ 5 Big Sis Tips for Crushing Your Finances (Pt.2)

Let’s continue where we left off last time, shall we? Here are some of my learnings and personal lessons from the past year continued:

1. Debt is not inherently bad
   With Americans carrying over $17 trillion in collective debt, the fear and stigma around debt are understandable. But if you're one of those who owe money, know that most of us take on debt for honest reasons - to better our lives. While racking up credit card debt for luxuries you can't afford is unwise, borrowing for education, business ventures, or emergencies shows courage and foresight. What matters is using debt wisely: choose loans with fair rates that help you grow, like student loans, mortgages, or business funding. Stay away from risky debt like credit cards that charge too much. Think of debt like a ladder - it can help you climb higher if you use it carefully and know where you're going. of debt as a ladder. As Dave Ramsey says, "Don't let your money own you." Same for debt. And remember, your worth isn't measured by what you owe, but by how purposefully you're investing in your future.

2. Reconsider the Cost of a College Degree
   College can be expensive, and not every career path requires a degree. I started with Computer Science at a community college to save money and later transferred to a university. By the end of junior year, I realized I wanted to pivot to UX design. Instead of completing an expensive degree, I joined a UX BootCamp for a fraction of the cost. Now, as a startup founder, I’ve seen firsthand that skills and results matter more than where you studied (unless it’s an Ivy League school 🤑). While skipping college has its trade-offs, for the right person, it can also be a freeing and practical path—one where you learn independently and showcase your skills through real work, not just a diploma.

3. Set Up Financial Goals for 2025
   We all focus on our health and fitness while thinking about New Year’s resolutions, but managing your finances should be just as much of a priority. This year, think about your biggest financial goal—whether it's paying off debt, setting up an emergency fund, starting to invest, launching a business, or saving for a vacation—and write it down. Having one clear financial goal helps you stay focused and build good habits like budgeting and consistency to make it happen. For me, my personal goal is to set up a Roth IRA this year—what's yours?

4. Prioritize Financial Learning
   We often find ourselves lost in random social media content, but we can use that time to our advantage. Start following financial experts and educators who provide valuable insights into managing money. By filling your feed with content that supports your financial goals, you’ll be constantly exposed to helpful tips and reminders. Subscribe to their newsletters, watch their videos, and let them guide you toward better financial habits. It's an easy way to stay informed and motivated about your financial journey.

5. You Have the Power to Change Your Financial Story

   I want to take a moment to speak to those of you who didn’t inherit any financial wisdom or resources from your family. Maybe you grew up in a household where money wasn’t talked about, where frugality and fear of debt were the main lessons. Maybe your parents never had a financial plan, or worse, they expected you to be their safety net. If that’s your story, I hear you, and I want you to know it’s okay. Your past doesn’t define your future, and you don’t have to repeat those patterns. The fact that you’re here, reading this and trying to learn and improve, shows that you’re ready to break free. It takes courage to step away from what you’ve known, but I believe in you. You are more than capable of building a better financial future for yourself. It starts with the choice to change, and you’ve already made that choice. Just keep going, you got this! ✨ 🫶 

⚡️ Wicked Pay Wrapped 2024

I’ve got a ton to share, but before we dive in, thank you. Seriously, your support, whether it’s cheering me on, sharing your thoughts, or just following this journey means the world to me. 💌 

Now, let’s talk about Wicked Pay: how it started, where it’s going, and why it’s so important to us here at Wicked Pay.

🌍 The Why Behind Wicked Pay

I grew up in Nepal, where financial systems often work differently and the “credit culture” is non-existent. When I moved to the U.S., I had to navigate an entirely new financial world—one where “building credit” was critical. Back in 2019, I got my first credit card. Like so many others, I was told I needed to “build credit,” but no one explained why or how. I stumbled my way through, learning what worked (and what didn’t) the hard way. Fast forward a few years, and I figured it out: how to build credit responsibly, enjoy the perks, and leverage it to improve my financial health.

But it wasn’t just me struggling. I realized so many young folks are overwhelmed by credit—whether it’s choosing the right card, understanding rewards, or just knowing where to start. And that’s where Wicked Pay comes in.

Wicked Pay is built for people like you and me, simplifying credit and making it work for you instead of against you.

📲 What Wicked Pay Is All About

Our mission is simple: we want to help the next generation understand and leverage credit for a healthier financial future. Starting with credit cards (because that’s often people’s first step into credit), our app makes it easy to manage, understand, and use credit responsibly.

Here’s what we’re building within the app:

1. A dashboard to track your credit cards, rewards, benefits, transactions, fees, and spending all in one place.

2. Actionable tools and features to turn “credit hacks” and knowledge into habits that stick.

3. The “Best Card” feature helps you pick the right card for every purchase and maximize rewards.

4. An AI financial advisor that deeply understands your financial situation and goals to guide you—from credit-building tips to rewards strategies to financial decisions.

Wicked Pay goes beyond just providing tools—it’s about creating an environment that inspires and empowers. 🌟 

Financial growth isn’t just about having the right tools—it’s about creating habits that last and building resilience. And you can’t do that with just fancy tech. People need to feel like they’re part of something bigger—a space where they can share experiences, learn together, and realize they’re not alone in navigating the complexities of credit.

Through open conversations and shared goals, we aim to shift the mindset around credit. It’s no longer something to fear but a powerful tool to master. At Wicked Pay, we’re here to inspire confidence, break down barriers, and build a smarter, more connected community.

🎉 What We’ve Accomplished So Far

2024 has been all about learning and growing. We launched our beta, gathered tons of feedback, and are fine-tuning the product to make it even better. Outside of the app, we’ve been experimenting with community events—think trivia nights, picnics, workshops, and more. Each one has taught us something new, and we’re just getting started!

Personally, I’ve spent a lot of this year learning, writing, meeting amazing people, and building relationships. As a first-time founder, I didn’t come into this with a business background or a huge network, but I’ve worked hard to change that. On that note, an exciting update: I’m now part of the 2025 Milestone Circles Program at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center supported by Wells Fargo! This program is a huge opportunity to grow Wicked Pay with the right resources, strategies, and community support. 🎊 

🚀 What’s Next for 2025

Next year is all about launching the Wicked Pay mobile app, gaining traction, and proving the impact we’re here to make. Expect a polished app with fancy tech (hello, AI!), exciting events, and unique collaborations and partnerships (can’t wait to announce them in the upcoming week 👀 ). We’re also doubling down on social media, so if you’re not already following us, now’s the time!

To everyone who’s been with us so far—thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support fuels this journey, and I can’t wait to see where we go together.

2025, let’s do this! 🚀

🚀 Action Items for Wicked Club Fam

🔍 Got questions? We've got answers! Don't hesitate to reach out if you have anything on your mind about the app.

⬇️ Want to optimize your credit card rewards? Download our app to start maximizing your rewards today!

🚀 Been a tester of our Wicked Pay app? We value your early insights. Share your thoughts through our survey form here.

📰 New to the crew? Subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates, and spread the word to your friends!

💬 Connect with fellow credit card enthusiasts? Join our Discord server for the beta testers and other credit card enthusiasts here.

✨Want to see behind the scenes of how we’re building Wicked Pay? Follow our CEO Pooja on Instagram at @poojabuilds.