10/30/2026
Repost
Money advice that broke my heart, but saved my life.
Some of these things were really hard for me to accept because they meant letting go of habits, expectations, and ways of thinking about money that I had gotten comfortable with. But as much as I didn't want to hear some of this advice at the time, I can honestly say I'm better off because of it.
1. Learn how to take care of yourself financially, even when you have someone helping you.
I don't care how much somebody loves you or how long you've been together. You still need to know how to manage your own money. Having support is wonderful, but you also need to know that if your circumstances change, you can figure out how to take care of yourself.
2. A budget isn't going to fix everything about your relationship with money.
You can have every dollar accounted for and still be afraid to spend money, feel guilty when you buy something for yourself, or constantly worry about not having enough. At some point, you have to start paying attention to why you feel the way you do about money, not just where it's going.
3. You need to save money for things other than emergencies.
This one took me a while because when you've spent so much time trying to get ahead financially, saving for something fun can feel irresponsible. But I had to realize that I didn't want to spend my entire life putting money aside for everything that could go wrong and never have anything set aside for the things I actually wanted to experience.
4. You have to stop guessing where your money is going.
It's one thing to say everything is expensive, and it's another thing to sit down and look at your transactions. Sometimes the numbers are going to confirm that you really don't have enough coming in. Other times, they're going to show you some spending habits you need to work on. Either way, you need to know.
5. Avoiding your finances doesn't make your financial problems disappear.
The bills are still due. The account is still overdrawn. The credit card still has a balance. And I know how uncomfortable it can be to look at your money when things aren't going well, but avoiding it usually leaves you with fewer options than you had before.
6. Making more money won't automatically fix how you manage money.
Now, sometimes more money really is the answer because you simply aren't earning enough to cover your expenses. But I've also learned that as your income increases, you have to be intentional about what happens to that extra money. Otherwise, you can find yourself earning more and still wondering why you don't have anything left.
7. You don't have to earn the right to enjoy your own money.
I used to think I needed to reach certain financial milestones before I could spend money on things I enjoyed. But I've learned that there's always going to be another bill, another goal, or something else that needs my attention. I still have a life to live in the meantime.
8. You need a system for managing your money, not just good intentions.
You can tell yourself you're going to do better with money every single payday, but if you don't have a plan for your bills, your spending, or your savings, you're going to keep finding yourself in the same situations. Even a simple system is better than constantly trying to remember everything.
9. You have to stop treating debt like something you should be ashamed of.
Having debt doesn't make you irresponsible, and it certainly doesn't make you a bad person. But you do have to be willing to acknowledge what you owe and figure out how to manage it. You can't change what you refuse to address.
10. You have to be willing to learn what you don't know about money.
And sometimes that means starting all the way at the beginning. I don't care how old you are or how much money you make. There is nothing embarrassing about having to learn how credit works, how to budget, or how to start saving money.
