Name: Him and Her
Age: Late twenties
State: Illinois
Our other blog: www.makelovenotdebt.com
Our favorite personal finance blogs: www.consumerist.com

Why did you start blogging?
In 2004 we started looking at finances and reading personal finance blogs. Back then, there were only a handful to read; we recognized that we could fill in a niche that wasn't being covered in personal finance blogging. We were unique in that we were one of the first to report a negative net worth, we blogged as a couple, and had a voice that reached out to other urban twenty-somethings.

What do you think is the most important personal finance issue for our generation?
The rising costs of a college education and a starter home, combined with the easy availability of credit, have made it very difficult for our generation to achieve and maintain the American Dream.

What is one thing you know now that you wish they taught in high school or college?
We wish that high school taught students how to reasonably predict how their college and career choices will affect their financial future. High school students need to know how much income they can expect to earn in their chosen field, and how much of that income will be directed toward student loan obligations. They should learn how to prepare a household budget based on the income they can expect to earn, and compare that to real-life living scenarios. Will they be able to pay for housing and food? Will they be driving the kid of car they had imagined? High school students need this kind of information in order to make the right decisions.

What do you do in your free time?
We are wine enthusiasts and also enjoy sports.

What are your personal financial goals?
Our short-term goal is to raise our net worth to zero (it’s currently negative). Our long term goals are to purchase a home and save for a comfortable retirement.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?
We would really love to spend time in China and Australia, though currently those trips are not in our budget.

Who do you admire the most and why?
Her – I admire Yves St. Laurent greatly. His forward-thinking style democratized fashion and advanced the opportunities for women in business by creating the women’s pant suit. He also desegregated the runway, proving that no matter what industry you are in, you can use your skills to make the world a better place.
Him – I admire my late grandfather. Even though there were language, generational, and cultural barriers between us, he taught me so much. He overcame huge odds and sent all of his 7 children to college and raised me to be the person who I am today.