I didn’t grow up with a solid understanding of money. I didn’t know how to save it, I definitely didn’t know how to invest it, and for the most part, I thought financial success just sort of happened if you worked hard enough. Looking back, I wish I had known a few things earlier. Here’s what I would go back and tell myself.
1. Saving is easier when it’s automatic
I wasted a lot of time trying to save “whatever was left” at the end of the month. It rarely worked. Automating savings — even a small amount — would’ve helped me build momentum and confidence. It’s not about how much, it’s about consistency.
2. Investing isn’t just for rich people
In my 20s, investing felt like something other people did. People with more money, more knowledge, more everything. I now realize that starting small, even $50 or $100, is how most people actually begin. Compound growth doesn’t care if you’re clueless — it just works if you give it time.
3. Debt will slow you down more than you think
I justified credit cards and car payments because I thought I was managing them “like an adult.” But really, I was just trading future freedom for short-term convenience. Debt isn’t evil, but it’s heavy. If I had prioritized paying it off earlier, I’d have bought myself years of flexibility.
4. You don’t have to budget perfectly, just pay attention
I thought budgeting was rigid and boring. I avoided it. What I needed wasn’t a perfect spreadsheet — it was awareness. Where was my money going? Why was I broke two days after payday? Paying attention would’ve made all the difference.
5. Building wealth is about time, not timing
I was always waiting for “the right time” — the perfect job, the extra money, the perfect investing strategy. None of that matters if you don’t start. Wealth is built by showing up early and staying in the game.
Final thoughts
You can’t go back, but you can share what you’ve learned. This site exists because I’m still learning, still adjusting, and still building. If you’re in your 20s — or 30s, 40s, or 50s — it’s not too late to make better moves. Your wealth is in the works, same as mine.
