Occupation: I’m studying for my Series Six test, to be a financial planner. I work at New York Life in Stratford. Primarily, I work with people to help take stress out of their lives. I help them organize their assets and accomplish their goals. One thing I feel strongly about is financial literacy. If you educate people, they’ll feel more comfortable around financial decisions. I especially like working with women. I think it’s an underserved population. I’ve started doing workshops around town, and just finished one April 30 in the Alexandria Room

Family: I have two brothers, Ryan and Scott. My parents are Scott and Diane Buchanan, and they raised us here in town.

Pets: I have two cats, Panda and Sammy. They’re both black and white “tuxedo” cats.

How long have you lived in Newtown? I’ve lived in Newtown my whole life. I went to St Rose School and to Newtown High School. I graduated in 2006, and went to Fordham University in the Bronx. I moved back here in 2010.

What do you like to do in your free time? My favorite thing in the world is traveling. I love to cook and I love reading. I do a lot of cooking with my mom and her friends, and get a lot of great recipes that way. One of the things I love about Newtown is that you can do lots of things outdoors — kayaking, hiking, and things like that. Sadly, work takes up a lot of my time.

What are you currently reading? I just reread Pride and Prejudice for about the 12th time. It’s kind of an easy stress reliever for me. It was one of my favorite books growing up, so it’s like a good friend. It’s comforting, because I know it so well.

Do you have a favorite vacation destination? That’s hard. I have to say Italy, because I’ve been there a lot. We traveled there for vacations, and when my parents retired, they started renting in Italy for a month each spring. They let me and my brothers come visit for a couple of weeks. I also did study abroad there, in Rome. But I think Budapest is a gorgeous city, and the coast of Croatia is so beautiful. The first place abroad I ever visited was Scotland, so it has really stuck with me. It’s ruggedly beautiful. Clearly, I like the food best in Italy and the wine, but if I want to be on a beach, maybe I’ll be in Croatia.

What is the best thing about Newtown? It’s the community aspect of it. My dad is the chairman of The Resiliency Center in town, and my mom volunteers there. Seeing what they do and how the town has stood behind it and supported it is the most impressive thing about Newtown. A thing like 12/14 could have really fractured a community.

What has been the greatest influence in your life? All of the traveling I got to experience, because of my parents’ willingness to take us places. My parents have been the greatest influence because of the travel, showing us the importance of education, and the community work they do. Those are the three biggest things they’ve tried to instill in us.

Did you have a favorite toy, growing up? Oh gosh — Barbies! I’m such a cliché! I did play a lot with my brothers’ Ninja Turtles, though, to balance that out.

Do you have a guilty pleasure? Probably getting some great food, somewhere like Marketplace in Danbury; and a glass of wine and a good book.