When I was about 8 years old, my father lost his job.
It was devastating for my family. We struggled financially, though my parents did an incredible job shielding us from the worst of it. We had a roof over our heads, food in the fridge, clothes on our backs, and we were safe.
But I still remember the details.
Like “government cheese”—which really isn’t white, and also really isn’t yellow… and may not actually be cheese. #IYKYK
I remember not wearing brand-name sneakers. We got our shoes at Payless. And yes—I got made fun of for it.
My mom called those “character building moments.”
I called it the beginning of my career in witty comebacks… and possibly when I started swearing. Who knows.
Money wasn’t something we talked about in my house.
But it was something I felt.
And what I felt was fear.
What if I didn’t have enough?
What if I lost my job like my dad?
What if everything fell apart?
That fear stuck with me longer than I realized.
As I got older—and eventually married my husband, who had a surprisingly similar experience—I made a decision:
👉 I wasn’t going to fear money.
👉 I was going to understand it.
So I learned.
I worked hard in school so I could afford college. I earned scholarships, but still graduated with debt—just like most people.
Later, we invested in real estate in the DC metro area and were able to pay off our student loans before we turned 30.
But here’s the part that matters:
Growing up without money doesn’t just affect your childhood.
👉 It shapes how you think about money as an adult.
Sometimes in good ways—like discipline and drive.
But sometimes in ways that hold you back:
- anxiety around decisions
- fear of losing everything
- over-saving or under-spending
💡 If you grew up without much, ask yourself:
- Am I making decisions from strategy . . . or from fear?
- Do I understand my money . . . or just worry about it?
- What would change if I actually felt in control?
Because here’s the truth:
👉 Avoiding money doesn’t protect you
👉 Understanding it does
That’s the buzz for today – now go make some smart money moves!