As a working mother in Maryland, each day brings new challenges and joys, especially when raising a young daughter. Like so many parents, I’m committed to giving her the life she deserves and providing for her emotionally and financially. This means both covering everyday expenses and saving for the dreams that make her smile. However, as the cost of living has continued to rise and expenses no longer align with my biweekly pay schedule, it’s made it harder for me to say “yes” to things we need and want. Payday loans and credit card advances are not an affordable or sensible option for me. That’s why I use new solutions like earned wage access (EWA), solutions that allow me to keep making my own financial decisions. That said, with efforts to restrict the service nationwide as well as opposition to EWA from Maryland’s policymakers, I am worried one of the services I’ve used for years will be taken away and my family will suffer because of it.

I read Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown’s piece in The Baltimore Sun criticizing EWA, and I felt compelled to share my experience because EWA has been a crucial support in my life. Through EWA, I can access a portion of my earned wages when I need it, not on a schedule set by my employer. That flexibility has allowed me to take care of my family and make decisions that would otherwise feel impossible on a tight budget.

For example, last month my daughter had a school field trip — a big deal for her and something I didn’t want her to miss. It was scheduled right before payday, and without EWA, I wouldn’t have been able to cover the extra costs without putting something else on hold. This service gave me the freedom to say “yes” without borrowing, stressing or facing fees that harm my credit.

What makes EWA so different is the control it gives me. If I use it, I decide what, if anything, I pay. Unlike credit cards or payday loans, which come with rigid, high-interest repayment plans, I’m not forced into debt that I can’t handle. I’m able to manage my money without the fear that one unexpected cost will set me back for months. When you’re living paycheck to paycheck, this kind of flexibility is life-changing.

Attorney General Brown’s piece suggests that EWA is a “predatory” service that harms families, but in my experience, it’s done the opposite. I’ve seen how predatory lending really works, and EWA doesn’t fit that mold. Credit cards can trap you with growing interest rates and constant worry. EWA, on the other hand, allows me to navigate my financial needs responsibly without affecting my credit or putting my future in jeopardy. I find it incredibly frustrating that the clear difference between these two things is not more commonly understood.

Earlier this year, the Connecticut government put out strict rules about EWA, forcing most EWA services to leave the state. I watched people there lose access to an important tool, and now thousands of people are worse off. I don’t want that to happen here in Maryland. Restricting EWA only limits people’s choices, pushing them toward more expensive, less flexible options that truly can be harmful. My family and I deserve to make our own decisions about how we access and manage the money I’ve earned.

Every parent wants to be able to give their child more opportunities than they had, and for me, EWA is a tool that helps me do that. It lets me say “yes” to the moments that matter without sacrificing my financial health. It’s frustrating to see it mischaracterized as something harmful when it’s been such a positive, empowering force in my life. My daughter deserves the best I can give, and for our family, EWA means more choices, more stability, and the peace of mind that we’re building a better life, one payday at a time.

Shawnte Buck is a resident of District Heights, Maryland.