In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Neeka flips the script and interviews co-host Inga about her journey from Eastern Europe to academia, financial planning, and entrepreneurship.

Inga shares how growing up in a financially stressful household shaped her lifelong relationship with money, pushing her toward control, structure, and eventually a career helping others manage their finances. She walks through her unconventional academic path, from triple major undergrad to corporate finance, teaching, and a highly strategic approach to earning a PhD in finance during the financial crisis.

The conversation explores the realities of academia versus real world finance, how financial mindset evolves over time, and what it actually takes to build financial peace, not just wealth. Inga reflects on major life decisions, including paying off a house for emotional reasons rather than pure optimization, learning to spend without guilt, and finding balance between saving and living.

They also discuss practical advice for early career academics, why financial organization matters long before you feel “rich enough,” and how getting professional guidance early can dramatically shape long term outcomes.

This episode is part career story, part money mindset evolution, and part practical guide to building financial confidence at every stage of life.