Hi, I'm Tara
Your travel guide on the road to money mastery
According to the usual advice, I “did everything right.” But something was missing.
I went to college, got my degree, and landed a consulting job at a Big Four accounting firm. I attended my UW graduation on Zoom in June 2020 and started work a month later, fully remote.
A week into training, I lost my voice from stress. I had crisis-level doubts about the path I chose. Was consulting right for me? Was business school? Had I made a terrible mistake?
I stayed at that job for five years. I felt trapped by the salary and the life I’d built around it. I had an apartment in Belltown, my two cats to feed, and an Uber Eats habit. After all that, there wasn’t much left to build an off-ramp from the career I picked.
Three years in, I realized if nothing changed, I’d wake up thirty years later in the same job, feeling the same way. So I got serious about fixing my money. I consumed books, podcasts and programs and built and refined my system.
As money flowed through my accounts and I watched my off-ramp start to take shape, I felt lighter. I still worked hard, but my job didn’t control me. And when I got laid off in 2025, I met the news with more relief than fear. From a financial perspective, I was ready.
Building a financial backup plan gave me time, flexibility and options for what to do next. I founded Trek with Tara to help people build the structure to walk into a new chapter with confidence, knowing their finances have their back.
You know those people who, when you’re honest and vulnerable with them, respond with “oh wow, you really didn’t read/watch/know that already?” Consider me the opposite of that. Get excited to set achievable goals, pay off debts, and build a financial life you’re proud of - all without a shred of shade.
My principles:
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I refuse to judge! Your journey belongs to you. Wherever you’re starting, I’m here to help.
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Knowledge is money. The more you know about your situation, the better you can make changes to fit your reality to your values.
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Money means choices. That’s what I want for you. You choose how you spend your money, your time, and your life. I’ll help clarify how you can get there.
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Vulnerability is a strength. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll research it and follow up. If we’re not a fit, I’ll refer you to a coach or therapist who can help move your journey forward.
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Gatekeeping is for squares. The best results come from valuing everyone’s time. If you’re not ready or looking for just the basics, check out my free and low-cost anytime resources here.