Living with my parents in Hawaii helped me afford the most expensive state. It was the best option for me after graduating.

• After graduating, I moved in with my parents in Hawaii — the country's most expensive state.
• It allowed me the opportunity to teach myself about personal finance, and now I have a savings.
• I'm now hoping to own a home in Hawaii, so I'm saving for a down payment.

In 2020, I was living with my boyfriend in Austin. As a native Hawaiian, the Texas life proved to be cheaper than island living — from groceries to gas. Plus, having a partner to split bills with gave me more dollars to put toward graduate school.