Financially independent students, myself included, can attest to the constant stress that comes with supporting oneself through college. I used to think this constant pressure was the main challenge I had to face as a financially independent student. This realization deepened my curiosity about other financially independent students and their own perceptions and lived experiences. Working and, by extension, making money have become deeply connected to the ways in which we financially independent students understand ourselves and the world we live in. I believe we should work towards societal change—making living more affordable and reducing the weight placed on financially independent students.