A French immigrant’s remarkable journey from small paychecks to financial empowerment, helping thousands master their money
It was 2016, and Priscilla Tshibemba-Petit sat in her Washington D.C. apartment staring at a number that made her stomach turn: $180,000 in debt. Fresh out of law school with degrees from three countries, she had believed her legal career would unlock financial success. Instead, she found herself drowning in student loans despite landing a coveted position at a U.S. federal agency.
That late-night reckoning with her finances would spark a transformation that would not only free her from debt but create a movement helping thousands of others take control of their financial futures. Today, Priscilla stands as the founder of Voilà The Budget, a thriving personal finance platform that has guided countless individuals toward debt freedom and financial literacy.
From France to America: The Foundation of Financial Struggle
Priscilla’s story begins far from the halls of prestigious law firms. At 19, she left her native France to work as an AuPair in the United States, armed with dreams but little understanding of the American financial system. This early experience of managing life on a modest income while navigating a foreign country’s economic landscape would later become the bedrock of her relatability as a financial educator.
“Even while working as legal counsel in a big law firm and raising a family today, I never forget the financial struggles that shaped me, they’re the reason I built Voilà the Budget,” Priscilla reflects.
Her academic journey took her across continents, earning law degrees in the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. But with each diploma came mounting debt, and by the time she began her professional career, the financial pressure had reached a breaking point.
The Turning Point: When Google Became Her Guide
Faced with her overwhelming debt load, Priscilla did what many millennials do when seeking answers: she turned to the internet. Typing “how to get out of debt” into Google opened her eyes to a world of personal finance content, particularly from women who made complex financial concepts accessible and engaging.
This discovery introduced her to the fundamentals she had never learned: budgeting, saving, investing, credit building, and strategic debt repayment. But more importantly, it showed her that financial literacy didn’t have to be intimidating or complicated.
The Zero-Based Budget Revolution
Armed with new knowledge, Priscilla implemented a zero-based budgeting system that would become the cornerstone of her debt elimination strategy. The results were immediate and dramatic: in her first year and a half, while splitting time between Paris and New York City, she paid off over $25,180 in debt.
This early success proved that her approach worked, even under challenging circumstances. The momentum continued to build, and by 2024, Priscilla had eliminated more than $154,000 in student loans, leaving her with just her final $20,000 to conquer.
Building Community Through Vulnerability
In late 2021, Priscilla launched her Instagram account @voilathebudget to document her debt-free journey and share her financial strategies. What started as personal documentation quickly evolved into something much larger: a supportive community she affectionately calls her “VTB fam.”
Her content resonated because it combined professional credibility with personal vulnerability. Here was someone with advanced degrees and a prestigious legal career who openly discussed financial mistakes and struggles. This authenticity attracted thousands of followers who saw themselves in her story.
The platform expanded beyond social media to include practical tools, offering budget templates ranging from free to low-cost options. Her TikTok presence further amplified her reach, bringing financial education to younger audiences through short-form, digestible content.
The Power of International Perspective
What sets Voilà The Budget apart in the crowded personal finance space is Priscilla’s unique international perspective. Having navigated financial systems in multiple countries and built her career as an immigrant, she understands the additional complexities many face when managing money in unfamiliar territory.
Her background as a legal counsel adds another layer of credibility. The analytical skills and attention to detail required in law translate perfectly to financial planning and debt strategy. This combination of lived experience and professional expertise creates a trustworthy foundation for her educational content.
“I don’t just teach theory, I share strategies I’ve actually used to get out of debt and build financial stability,” Priscilla emphasizes.
Balancing Act: Legal Career, Family, and Financial Mission
Today, at 36, Priscilla exemplifies the modern woman’s balancing act. She maintains her demanding role as legal counsel at a major law firm while raising a family and building her financial education platform. This juggling act isn’t just impressive, it’s inspiring to her audience, many of whom face similar challenges in pursuing financial goals while managing career and family responsibilities.
Her success demonstrates that financial transformation doesn’t require sacrificing other life priorities. Instead, it’s about creating systems and strategies that work within real-life constraints.
The Ripple Effect of Financial Education
Through Voilà The Budget, Priscilla has created more than just content, she’s fostered a movement. Her community members share their own victories, from paying off credit cards to building their first emergency funds. The platform serves as proof that financial literacy can be accessible, practical, and empowering.
Her approach bridges the gap between academic financial theory and real-world application. By sharing both successes and setbacks, she creates a safe space for others to learn without judgment.
The Final Financial Frontier
With just $20,000 remaining on her debt journey, Priscilla stands on the threshold of complete debt freedom. But her mission extends far beyond personal financial goals. Through Voilà The Budget, she continues to expand her educational offerings and community impact.
Her story serves as a powerful reminder that financial transformation is possible regardless of starting point. From an AuPair earning modest wages to a legal professional conquering six-figure debt while helping others, Priscilla’s journey illustrates the power of persistence, education, and community.
For anyone feeling overwhelmed by debt or intimidated by financial planning, Priscilla’s story offers both hope and practical guidance. Her combination of professional expertise, international perspective, and genuine relatability creates a unique voice in the financial education space, one that continues to grow and inspire.
About Voilà The Budget
Voilà The Budget is a personal finance platform founded by Priscilla Tshibemba-Petit, dedicated to making financial literacy accessible and achievable. Through practical strategies, budget templates, and community support, the platform has helped thousands of individuals take control of their finances. Learn more at voilathebudget.com, follow on Instagram, and connect on TikTok.
