Life is moving fast! Don't get left behind…

The Author

Debi Kaufmann

My Story: The Inspiration Behind i Millennial

If you know me, you know I love learning through deep conversations and am always willing to help, sometimes to a fault. That instinct kicked into high gear in 2020. When COVID-19 hit, I watched my two high school-aged sons, Luke and Eric, attend classes via Zoom from their bedrooms. It struck me that despite all their schooling, they were about to graduate without being fully prepared for what the real world had in store.

I realized they needed a crash course in “adulting.” Suddenly, the massive Self-Help section at Barnes & Noble made perfect sense. I wanted to give them a guide to everything at once—financial skills like credit reports, budgeting, and compound interest; mental wellness tools for anxiety, mindset, and finding purpose; and practical advice on everything from organizing your life to avoiding a bad car loan (yup, that happened to me at 18!). That’s where the idea for this book was born.

Research and Creation Process

Over the next five years, this personal project grew into a mission. I delved into hundreds of books and spent thousands of hours learning from experts to gather the best available information. I rewrote the entire book four times, determined to create a concise guide my boys could keep in their backpacks—a reference they could turn to whenever they had a question.

Growing Interest and Feedback

Soon, friends started asking for copies after I finished and recommending new topics for their kids or family members, including taxes, budgeting, and effective communication. What began as a personal project became more valuable as more people recognized its importance.

The Journey and Commitment to Quality

Five years later, the project has grown far beyond its original scope. Although I may not see myself as a professional writer or an avid reader, the process has been both enriching and educational. After thorough research and reviewing over 200 topics, I rewrote the entire book four times to ensure quality, continually adding and removing issues as needed. I felt a strong sense of responsibility to make it as close to perfect as possible, knowing there was no similar resource available for students. My conversations with Millennials, Gen Z, and anyone willing to listen motivated me to create something truly helpful.

My Big Takeaway from Writing this Book – Bottom Line!

After five years of research and writing, I realized all these topics were connected by one central theme: finding your purpose. Discovering your “why” is the most essential part of life. It provides the clarity and direction you need when things get confusing. It’s the inner fuel that keeps you motivated, whether you’re building a new habit, crushing a job interview, or just staying focused on what matters.

With purpose, anxiety fades and fear loses its grip. Don’t confuse it with passion—they aren’t always the same, but a true purpose will almost always ignite your passion. You’ll often find it’s connected to something you’re naturally good at or a desire to help others. To find it, pay attention to the moments you feel most alive and engaged—that feeling is your clue. I suggest jotting down notes when it happens. One day, you’ll look back and see how the puzzle pieces fit together.

Life will always bring challenges, but a strong sense of purpose is the ultimate tool for navigating them.

I hope this book helps you on your journey.  Enjoy!