The Girl Behind the Keyboard 🐹🎀

Hi there 👋

I’m Gaby, a 30‑year‑young Canadian 🍁 millennial and first‑generation Chinese immigrant, happily married to the most supportive husband I could ask for 💍. He has such an abundance mindset, and honestly, it’s something I’m still learning from as I work through a scarcity money mindset that’s been with me for as long as I can remember 💭.

My Parents

I was raised by parents who gave everything to build a life for me and my two siblings ❤️. They worked hard, sacrificed immensely, and did what they believed was best for our future. As a kid, all I wanted was to fit in, but my reality looked different. “We can’t afford it” was something I heard often, and it quietly shaped how I viewed money, worth, and belonging. I know I’m not alone in that experience.

You’ll notice I talk about my parents a lot because they’re a big part of who I am. This blog is about my journey, but it’s also a tribute to their resilience, their dreams, and the lessons that still echo in my life today 🕊️.

My parents worked long, grueling hours to buy a house in Markham, Ontario. They put in 12‑hour days, every day, often missing birthdays, graduations, and holidays, not out of neglect, but because working meant safety and stability.

Back then, it felt like money mattered more to them than I did 💔. But as I got older, I realized money, for them, wasn’t about status; it was about survival. It meant food on the table 🍽️, a roof over our heads 🏠, and a small sense of peace.

Today

Today, I live in Barrie, Ontario, which was a financial choice and a lifestyle choice that aligns with my health, financial, and personal goals. I’m grateful to be in a place where I don’t have to live in survival mode anymore 🙏. I’m learning to redefine what money means to me: freedom, generosity, independence, and security 🌱. The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) community and the DINK (Double Income, No Kids) lifestyle have taught me a lot about flexibility and financial momentum. These communities have changed a lot of my money mindset, and although it’s a great start, it’s not my end goal.

This blog is where I share it all — the good, the bad, and the awkward. Writing helps me process the stories I once felt ashamed of, and somehow they feel a little lighter when I share them ✨. You’ll also find bits of creativity sprinkled throughout, my way of keeping things true to me and adding a little fun along the way 🎨.

I’m learning and growing as I go, one story at a time 📚. I welcome honest thoughts and perspectives, but please remember I’m human 🐹 — still figuring things out, one step, one lesson, and one discovery at a time.