Eva Baker is a high school student who is very focused on preparing for her financial future and helping other teenagers do the same. When she’s not rock climbing or planning for a future wedding, she shares her financial journey on TeensGotCents.com.

There are countless things to buy these days, and as a seventeen-year-old surrounded by advertisements, I know all about the latest must-haves. However, I don’t want to end up like many people who are overwhelmed by debt. I often hear about families with huge credit card debts and college graduates who can’t buy a home because of their loans. I refuse to go down that path. My plan is to avoid credit card debt, steer clear of student loans, and live within my means. I don’t aspire to be super rich or travel the world; I just want to be free—free to help others, contribute to valuable causes, pay my bills on time, and someday take my grandkids to Disney without financial stress. True freedom can’t exist under the burden of debt. So here’s my plan:

THE ENVELOPE SYSTEM
Using the envelope system has been crucial for making smart financial decisions. Spending cash rather than using a debit card helps me make thoughtful choices and allocate my money wisely. By sticking to this method, I believe I’ll maintain the self-control necessary to achieve my financial goals.

EMERGENCY FUND
Inspired by Dave Ramsey’s “The Total Money Makeover,” I was determined to save my first $1,000 for emergencies in 2012. It took almost a year, but I did it! Having an emergency fund is practical because life’s unexpected events can otherwise lead straight to credit card debt, which can be detrimental in the long run.

NO CREDIT CARD
I’ve decided against having a credit card to avoid the risk of debt. Although some people advise having one for emergencies, it’s probably best to keep it out of sight or not have one at all, depending on your self-discipline.

NO STUDENT LOANS, EVER
I am committed to completing my education without taking on any student loans, even if it takes longer. This strict stance might seem immature to some, but I believe it’s the best strategy for my future.

SAVE FOR RETIREMENT
Saving 15% of my income for retirement is another long-term priority. Starting early allows the money to grow significantly over a lifetime. Although saving might be challenging during college due to expenses, I’m starting now. I currently have $30 in my retirement envelope and aim to save much more by the end of the year. It may not seem like much, but over the next 50 years, it will make a huge difference.

DON’T MARRY AN IDIOT
It’s crucial to marry someone who is financially responsible. I’m not putting in all this effort only to partner with someone who would squander our money and drag us into debt.

I sometimes wonder if I’ll look back and laugh at my current lack of sophistication. Maybe I will, but I doubt it. If I end up with debt despite these plans, 17-year-old me is going to be very disappointed in 30-year-old me!

Thanks to dual enrollment for free college credits, I hope I’ll manage without needing loans anyway. Thank you for reading my story!