Lien goes from adversity to prosperity

This week I speak to Dr Lien Luu, Chartered Financial Planner and Associate Professor in Finance at Coventry Business School. Growing up in Vietnam, Lien’s first impression of managing money from her parents was a simple and frugal approach without luxuries. As a 13 year old, Lien and her family fled as refugees from the conflict and humanitarian problems in their home country. Arriving in the UK as a refugee, via a precarious sea journey as one of the ‘boat people’ exodus, she experienced a cultural shock. By western standards she was confronted with a sense of embarrassment at her family’s financial situation. Yet taking control, she decided hard work was the route to a better life. A humbling perspective on the value of money, the power of determination and the satisfaction of frugality.