The Money Lessons I Wish I’d Learned Sooner

I’m turning 40 this week.

If you’d told me at 20—or even 30—where my life would be today, I’m not sure I would’ve believed you. I’m raising kind kids, building a mission-driven business, helping people change their financial futures, and learning to live with more peace and purpose.

I’m not perfect. I still have goals I’m working toward. But I’m proud of how far I’ve come—and deeply grateful for what I’ve learned along the way.

So in celebration of this next chapter, I’m sharing a few of the money lessons I really wish I’d learned sooner.

Maybe you’ll see yourself in some of these. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll help you skip a few of the hard parts I had to learn the long way.

💸 Lesson 1: You Don’t Have to Earn Everything the Hard Way

I used to think if something came easily, it wasn’t worth much.

Now I know that ease is allowed. You don’t have to hustle every second to be “deserving.” You’re already worthy. Period.

🧠 Lesson 2: Your Income Is Only One Piece of the Puzzle

For years, I focused on earning more—which helped! But I didn’t always focus on the systems that let me keep, grow, and enjoy that money.

Now, I build systems:

• Automatic savings
  
• Bucketed accounts
  
• Clear spending priorities 

And I teach others how to do the same.

🧾 Lesson 3: Debt Isn’t a Moral Failing

I used to carry so much shame about my student loans and credit card balance. Now I know: debt is a tool—not a character flaw.

It’s okay to use it. It’s powerful to manage it. It’s transformative to plan for freedom.

🗣 Lesson 4: Talk About Money—Even When It’s Messy

Money silence helps no one. The more I opened up—to friends, family, mentors, and now thousands of readers like you—the more support I found.

Transparency builds trust. And trust builds change.

💡 Lesson 5: The Sooner You Start, the Easier It Gets

I wish I’d started saving earlier. Budgeting earlier. Asking for help earlier.

But I’m also learning to give myself grace. Because once I did start? Everything shifted.

🎁 Bonus Lesson: Joy Matters Too

This one didn’t come from a spreadsheet—it came from living.

Don’t forget to make space for joy. A little room in the budget for takeout, a trip, or a treat you didn’t “need” can make a huge difference in how sustainable your money plan feels.

🎉 What I Know Now, at 40

You don’t have to do it all perfectly.
You don’t have to do it alone.
And it’s never too late to change your money story.

If you’re just starting—or restarting—your financial journey, I wrote How to Afford Everything to give you the tools I wish I’d had in my 20s and 30s.

📘 Grab your copy here

And if you want help figuring out where to begin, my free tools are here for you too:

📥 Visit the Resource Center

Next week: Back-to-school season is here—let’s talk budgeting for families, students, and educators from pre-K to college.