From Undocumented to Financially Free: Charly Stoever’s Money Journey

In a world where financial advice often feels detached from real-life experiences, Charly Stoever brings a refreshingly authentic perspective to money management. As a formerly undocumented Mexican-American who transformed into a successful stockbroker and now travels the world as a money coach, Charly's journey offers powerful lessons about financial resilience, identity, and pursuing freedom on your own terms.

Charly's story begins in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico, before moving to rural Washington state at age three when their family overstayed their visas. Growing up undocumented created a complex relationship with money from an early age. When Charly was just five years old, their father asked to borrow money he had previously given to Charly—a seemingly small moment that instilled a deep association between money and uncertainty. This early experience shaped Charly into becoming the "saver" in their family, taking on an adult-like responsibility while still a child.

What makes this immigration story unique is the context—their family wasn't fleeing persecution or extreme poverty. Rather, they came from a middle-class Mexican background with privilege, and their father simply "wanted to" move to America. This nuance adds layers to Charly's perspective on immigration, identity, and the various paths people take to find their place in the world. They remained undocumented until age 14, when their mother married their neighbor, providing a pathway to legal status.

The financial journey took a significant turn when Charly received a full scholarship to Wellesley College. Despite their academic success, Charly spent their twenties working in underpaid positions with organizations like the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, often relying on food stamps to get by. It wasn't until a friend showed Charly a simple chart of the stock market's growth over time that their financial mindset shifted dramatically. This awakening led them to Charles Schwab, where they became a stockbroker earning $45K—a substantial increase from their previous income.

Working at Charles Schwab provided more than just a paycheck. It gave Charly invaluable insights into how everyday millionaires managed their money. They observed that these successful investors weren't constantly trading or obsessing over the market—they were methodically building wealth through consistent investing in retirement accounts first, treating brokerage accounts as secondary. This practical education formed the foundation for Charly's current approach to financial coaching.

Today, Charly runs a successful money coaching business focused on helping LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and neurodivergent individuals create passive income streams. Their specialty is working with six-figure earners who, despite their high incomes, haven't optimized their finances. Charly's approach combines practical financial strategies with sensitivity to the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities, particularly those without traditional family support systems to fall back on.

What truly sets Charly's story apart is how they've integrated financial freedom with a location-independent lifestyle. Currently traveling through Europe after visiting 36 countries, Charly has created a sustainable approach to seeing the world while running their business. They've mastered the art of pet sitting to reduce accommodation costs, though they've had to adapt their strategy as they moved from the Pacific Northwest to international destinations.

Perhaps most inspiringly, Charly's journey includes overcoming significant health challenges. A year ago, they faced a severe health crisis with debilitating inflammation and eczema that traditional medical approaches couldn't resolve. By investing in holistic health coaches and making significant lifestyle changes, Charly has reclaimed their health—a reminder that wealth means little without wellbeing.

Charly's story teaches us that financial freedom isn't about following a predetermined path. It's about understanding your unique circumstances, healing your relationship with money, and creating systems that support the life you truly want to live. Whether you're dealing with immigration challenges, health issues, or simply trying to make your money work harder for you, Charly's journey offers a blueprint for approaching finances with both pragmatism and authenticity.