First-Gen Latina and Making Six Figures? You Don’t Owe Anyone Your Struggle
Let me speak to the first-gen Latinas for a second, the ones about to make more money than anyone in their family ever has.
You are breaking generational cycles. You are carrying dreams on your back.
And you probably feel that guilt creeping in, right?
“Should I even ask for more?
What if I’m being greedy?
Should I just take what they offer and say thank you?”
Listen: you didn’t do all this work just to survive, you did it to THRIVE.
Six Figures Doesn’t Mean You’re Done: It Means You’ve Started
We’re told, “Be grateful.”
We’re told, “Don’t flaunt it.”
We’re told, “Others have it worse.”
But here’s the truth:
Gratitude without boundaries is self-betrayal.
Humility without confidence is a trap.
You can say thank you and still say no.
You can help your people without draining yourself.
You can rest, spend, save, and thrive without asking for permission.
Guilt Is Not a Sign You Did Something Wrong: It’s a Sign You Did Something New
First-gen guilt hits hard because you’re doing something your family never did.
You’re the translator, the trailblazer, the bridge.
You carry dreams and debts that aren’t even yours.
And now that you’ve “made it,” the questions start:
“Are you going to help everyone?”
“Don’t forget where you came from.”
“Must be nice…”
But let’s be honest:
This isn’t about being ungrateful. This is about being unbound.
You didn’t come this far to carry it all alone.
You came this far to shift the standard.
What to Say When Guilt Creeps In
Here’s how to talk back to the voice that says, “Just be happy with what you have.”
Try this:
“I’m building a life where I can take care of myself and the people I love. And I can’t do that from survival mode.”
Or this:
“I’m not being greedy. I’m being strategic. And I deserve a life that honors the work I’ve put in.”
Or when they question your raise, your career, your choices:
“This isn’t entitlement. This is repair. This is restoration. This is what my family fought for — and I’m honoring that by thriving.”
You’re Not “Too Much.” They’re Not Used to Seeing a Latina With Power
When you walk into the room now, you’re not the underdog.
You’re the expert.
You’re the leader.
You’re the one rewriting the playbook.
And yes, some people will have a problem with that.
Let them.
You’re not here to manage their discomfort.
You’re here to own your value and build the life your ancestors couldn’t even imagine.
FAQs: First-Gen Latinas and Money Power
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Set clear boundaries. Help in ways that feel sustainable, not sacrificial. You don’t owe everyone access to your income just because you made it
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Absolutely. Your worth isn’t capped at a number. Wanting more doesn’t make you greedy, it makes you human.
This Isn’t the Finish Line. This Is the Power Shift.
Six figures isn’t where it ends. It’s where it begins.
You’ve opened a door that your family didn’t even know existed.
You’re not just making money. You’re changing what’s possible.
You’re building wealth, boundaries, and legacy.
You didn’t get here by accident.
And you sure as hell didn’t get here just to feel bad about it.
So take up space. Set your rates. Own your rest.
And don’t shrink to fit anyone’s comfort.
