Author

Athena Valentine Lent

Athena Valentine Lent first learned the power of a budget in her early twenties. She experienced homelessness while still in high school. Her family didn't understand or teach personal finance. After learning how to budget (and acing it!), she went on to complete an associate's degree from the College of Southern Nevada and a dual bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University. She has since become a budgeting expert and is the proud author of “Budgeting For Dummies” (Wiley 2023).

Athena developed a passion for helping the Hispanic community find financial representation during her 19 years in the nonprofit sector. It was there that she learned that other first- and second-generation Latinas lacked proper money management skills like she once did. This passion led her to start the popular website Money Smart Latina and advocate for issues such as the Latina Wage Gap and multigenerational housing. 

Now, she is an award-winning financial columnist for Slate Magazine. Athena’s bylines include Buzzfeed, Tripadvisor, Prudential, GOBanking Rates, and The College Investor. She’s also a proud board member of Credit Union West, one of the largest credit unions in Arizona.  

When she’s not working, Athena can be found reading a Stephen King novel with her leading man, a polydactyl cat named Harrison George. 

Areas of financial expertise

• Budgeting

• Personal Finance 

• Insurance

• Debt 

• First-generation college and finance 

• Tax write-offs 

• Small business

Education

Dual Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice and Criminology, Arizona State University

You should know

Writing is Athena’s second career. For almost 20 years, she served in the nonprofit sector, working with opportunity youth and local law enforcement. Her proudest moments include sharing the stage with the Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff at the 19th Represents Summit in Chicago, and being chosen to sit on the Board of Directors for Credit Union West, to explore ways to provide financial services to the underserved community.

Athena has grown to love the Sims 4 so much that she now considers herself a gamer. Sul sul!