Real $tories Episode 68: Lorrena Black
For Lorrena Black, saving money when she was young didn’t come naturally. Raised by a hard-working single mother, she modeled a deep work ethic but struggled to save. When she joined the Army, her discipline and sense of duty grew — but her spending habits stayed the same. Her real turning point came years later, during a short-lived career as a financial advisor. Helping others with their finances forced her to take a closer look at her own. Though she eventually pivoted her career in a new direction, the lessons she learned about budgeting, saving, and planning for the future finally began to click. Today, Lorrena channels that hard-won wisdom into mentoring and leadership development, with a focus on serving veterans. She’s passionate about helping others unlock their potential — financially, personally, and professionally. Key Moments 2:25 Lorrena’s upbringing influences her work ethic. 5:01 When she joins the military, she ends up spending all the money she makes. 7:58 She incurs some credit card debt in her 20s but eventually leverages her budget to pay it down. 12:01 She starts a career as a financial advisor and applies the teachings to her own life. 14:54 Lorrena retires from the army and loses some of her financial focus initially. 17:46 She launches a small business. 21:19 She strives to develop leaders, with a focus on veterans. 22:32 She talks about her goals related to her business, retirement and giving. 23:20 She shares her favorite money tip: pay yourself first. GreenPath Financial Service GreenPath, A Financial Resource If you’re interested in building healthy financial habits, paying down debt, or saving for what matters most, take a look at these free financial tools. Free Resources Free Resources