Applicant #18: Voula Zervakos

Voula Zervakos is a 24-year-old from London.

Voula's video application:

Voula's current situation:

Hi everyone,

I'm Voula Zervakos, I am 24 years old and live in my hometown of London, Ontario.

I just finished school!!! Yay!! I recently achieved my graduate certificate in Corporate Communications and Public Relations. I am very excited to venture into the working world - so being a spokesperson for Ontario youth is an amazing opportunity.

Before going to Fanshawe College, I went to UWO for 5 years. I accomplished my Honors Specialization in Biology and then went back to complete a Minor in Environmental Science – I have a geeky side – but, shhhh.

Along with my geeky side, I have a fun side. I love being around people. I have been a server since I was 15 years old.  You may be wondering how I managed to get myself employed at 15 year of age. Well, my parents owned a restaurant for 17 years, and I was lucky enough to work there for 7 of them. It was a great opportunity, and it was there I realized I enjoying being around, and working with others.

I couldn’t pass up the opportunity of applying to become a spokesperson.

Voula's blog post:

The Future. We are always told to think about the future. We are always told to plan for the future.
Well, easier said then done. It's challenging planning for something that is so far away.

Planning for our financial future is even more challenging. We have so many things to think about - paying tuition, putting a down payment on a car, getting our first apartment, saving for a summer vacation, and after all of that your cellphone just broke and you need a new one!

Okay, so I made that sound really scary, but it doesn't have to be. Being part of a financial institution that cares about us makes the whole process of planning for our future much less scary.

When you think about all those things you have to plan for, just remember there are thousands of others doing the exact same thing and there are thousands of others that have been there and done it.

That is what is so great about Young & Free Ontario, we can work together and help each other, because we are young and we can be free.

So, in January when I decided I really want to go to Europe. The challenge wasn't getting there, but saving for it. I needed a plan - how was a going to save for my trip to Europe? Well, I decided that every week I would put away 10% of my earnings. It didn't seem like much, but it sure added up quickly. So now I am on my way to paying for my trip to Europe.

So simple, so easy, and I didn't have to give up my weekly ice cream treat. Mmmm Oreo.

This is just one of hundreds of ideas that could help someone achieve their financial goals.

So for now, I am signing off, hopefully we will chat more about planning for our future soon Ontario.. 

Voula