Diva Toolbox™ Interviews Clarky Davis, the Debt Diva

Before I slipped into the title The Debt Diva, I was the poster child for poor financial decisions. In my 20s, I learned the hard way that you have to stay in control of your finances. I grew up in a fiscally conservative household in Louisburg, N.C., a small town outside Raleigh, N.C. My father was a banker and taught me at an early age the differences between right and wrong, cash and credit, checking and savings. My parents and our small town provided a sanctuary from labels, brands and frequent shopping escapades. Shopping excursions for clothes were carefully coordinated three times a year (once in the spring, during July and after Christmas) by my loving and thrifty mother. But once I left home for college, I dropped my family’s fiscal wisdom like last year’s styles. I’m in my 30s and still have battles from time to time with money. But, I no longer let clothing and impulse purchases sabotage my finances. If I really want it, I know it’ll go on sale. It took a few years and some hard-won lessons, but I found my style for less, and I’ve dedicated my professional career as The Debt Diva to helping others discover how they can, too.