Emilie Chowdhury: Common College Debt Traps

Common college debt traps are avoidable! Emilie Chowdhury was lucky to learn smart money habits early on, but after nearly a decade in the corporate world, she realized most of my friends—brilliant, educated women—had never been taught how to manage their finances. And the truth is, we shouldn’t have to rely on luck to learn this. Financial education should be accessible to all of us. That’s what sparked this community: no MLMs, no get-rich-quick schemes, no clickbait. Just honest, approachable, and supportive guidance. Inspired by the power of strong female friendships, Emily’s mission is to give you the tools to take control of your money so you can thrive, not just survive.

In episode 585 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Emilie decided on Northwestern University, what was special about Alpha Chi Omega, her journey from the corporate world to financial literacy education, what inspired her, how you can flip the "I'm a broke college student" mindset, what are some budgeting strategies for college students, tips to improve chapter-wide financial literacy for treasurers, how to avoid common college debt traps, how to get started with investing, and small steps you can take to own your first home. Enjoy!