It's never too late to learn about finances and individuals in Albany seized that opportunity at a financial literacy conference to master strategies for overcoming student loans and unlocking pathways to financial freedom.

Charles Spence, a history teacher in the Albany City School District, traded his role as an educator for that of a student at the conference, eager to enhance his financial knowledge.

Reflecting on his upbringing, Spence shared, "I grew up in a low-income neighborhood...my mother had to take care of us kids. She budgeted her money and emphasized the importance of saving."

A recent graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh and a Bronx native, Spence is among many New Yorkers grappling with student loan debt. However, the conference provided him with valuable insights and motivation to tackle his financial challenges.

"Coming here and having that motivation to set up a better budgeting plan...I feel like I'm going to get out there in no time," Spence remarked.

Organized as the first of its kind, the Financial Literacy 518 Conference brought together attendees to delve into topics such as wealth, investing, budgeting and preparing for the future. The event aimed to make personal finance accessible to communities that often lack such resources, in a culturally responsible and relevant manner.

Participants engaged in interactive sessions led by panelists, fostering both laughter and serious conversations.

James Mitchell, cofounder of the event and founder of Young Futures Inc., emphasized the importance of budgeting as a foundational skill for financial success.

"Budgeting, which can seem very basic, if you budget appropriately now, you can move into other sectors such as credit and investing," Mitchell advised.

As attendees looked ahead and focused on their personal finance journey, they expressed hope in sowing seeds that would one day reap a harvest.

Spence envisioned his future endeavors, stating, "I've got a lot of time to build it up and then take what I learned. Get into real estate one day and own a house, get rental properties for college students."