It’s hard to imagine what life would be like without money. For so many young people, dealing with major financial decisions for the first time is just a normal part of settling into adult life — leaving school, starting a career, getting married and starting a family, beginning to plan for the future.

Real Stories is a documentary series that follows several young people as they face these financial challenges on path to pursuing their dreams and goals.

Sam and Veronica

Talking about money can be tough. As newlyweds Sam and Veronica manage debt and build a household budget, they're also learning to talk openly about money to build a strong financial relationship.

Paulette

When Paulette finished college, some people wondered why she chose to travel and not start a career. While she didn’t have a career or financial plan in place, she always knew that some day she’d have to start planning for the future.