For Sean Lee, financial security means showing up for his family

For Cleveland, Tennessee-based husband and father Sean Lee, Cash App and Afterpay are part of how he manages his money, prepares for life's unexpected moments, and shows up for his family.

Sean Lee has worked hard to build a life focused on supporting and showing up for his family. From taking on side jobs to teaching his son the value of financial responsibility, he's always believed that showing up for the people you love starts with planning for whatever life brings.

Along the way, he's learned that life can change in an instant and that having financial flexibility can make all the difference.

Based in Tennesse, Sean Lee uses Cash App and Afterpay for many of life's moments - whether it's for planned milestones or unexpected expenses.

Finding breathing room during life’s unexpected 

Earlier this year, Sean's wife was diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis, forcing her to stop working before undergoing surgery. As the family adjusted to living on one income, they were suddenly balancing mounting medical bills alongside everyday expenses.

"It was a terrifying moment," Sean said. "Even if you're getting paid $30 an hour, you're still scraping by."

Looking for a way to manage those costs, Sean and his wife turned to Afterpay¹. By spreading eligible purchases into interest-free installments², it gave his family the flexibility to navigate an already stressful season without adding to it.

That flexibility extended beyond healthcare costs. Earlier that year, Sean’s family found themselves between homes and needed to cover the cost of an $800 weeklong hotel stay. Afterpay once again helped make a sudden transition feel more manageable while keeping life as normal as possible for their children.

"[Afterpay] was a colossal blessing," Sean said. 

Throughout these life events, Afterpay gave the family peace of mind in managing their expenses, allowing them to focus on what mattered most: taking care of one another.

Making room for life's biggest milestones

Some of Sean's favorite memories are tied to moments his family had spent years looking forward to.

After nearly 10 years together, he and his wife finally had the wedding they'd dreamed about since they first started dating.

"We always agreed we wanted a Halloween wedding," Sean said. "Year after year, we just didn't have the funds for it."

When they were finally able to celebrate with their loved ones, the couple planned a honeymoon in Pigeon Forge. Afterpay helped them book their accommodations, giving them the flexibility to enjoy the trip by splitting up their payment without paying the full cost upfront.

Looking back, it's one of the memories that still stands out most because it was a chance for the couple to celebrate a milestone they'd spent nearly a decade waiting to experience together.

Beyond travel expenses, Sean Lee and his wife also enjoy using Afterpay for smaller purchases such as date nights and beauty products.

Seeking joy throughout the moments in between 

For Sean, security isn't just about preparing for life's biggest expenses. It's also about preserving the cash flow that makes everyday life feel normal. From date nights to family hair-dye sessions and his wife's favorite nail polish, Afterpay helps the family spread smaller purchases over time while staying within the budget they've carefully built.

"We've got a budget of about $300 for those purchases," Sean said. "We keep everything under that margin. It gives us that little wiggle room so we can go out and have a date night. It makes it a blessing."

For the Lee family, those everyday choices have shaped a thoughtful approach to money, one they hope to pass on to their children.

Building healthy money habits at home 

That mindset has helped to shape Sean’s financial routine: he’s focused on planning ahead and making intentional decisions while giving himself room to stay flexible. Cash App has become an important part of that routine, helping him receive payments for side work, transfer money between accounts, and build his savings — including with Round Ups, which automatically saves his spare change.³

Cash App has also given Sean and his wife a way to help their 10-year-old son start building healthy money habits. Through a parent-managed account for kids, they send him chore money that he can choose to save or spend with his Cash App Card.⁴ 

"My son will actually save up his money for stuff that he wants," Sean said. "Anytime he gets his chore money, we put it on the card, and he's able to buy whatever he wants with his own money."

A sense of security goes a long way

Looking back on the last year, Sean says the experience changed how his family thinks about preparing for the unexpected.

When he reflects on the past year, one word comes to mind: security.

1.  Afterpay is offered and managed through your Cash App account - no Afterpay account needed. Eligibility is based on several factors and is not guaranteed. Afterpay is not available in all states. Afterpay loans issued by First Electronic Bank, serviced by Square Capital, Inc. View state licenses at sqcapitallicenses.com/us/en/legal/capital/capital-licenses
2.  You must be 18 or older, a resident of the U.S. and meet additional eligibility criteria to qualify. Late fees may apply. For complete terms see Afterpay terms. Loans to California residents made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license.
3.  Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card at cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement, for the Sutton debit flex card at cash.app/legal/us/en-us/debit-flex-card-agreement-sutton and for the Bancorp debit flex card at cash.app/legal/us/en-us/debit-flex-card-agreement-bancorp. Savings and Round Ups feature provided by Cash App, a Block Inc. brand.
4.  Parents and legal guardians can open a managed account for kids 6-12. To view the eligibility requirements for sponsoring a teen or child, please visit the Sponsored Accounts section of the Cash App Terms of Service at cash.app/us/en/legal/tos#sponsored-accounts