Dear human,

Here's an honest share: I'm angry.

I'm angry that financial literacy isn't taught in schools. I'm angry that basic money skills—the kind that determine whether you can afford rent, retire with dignity, or weather an emergency—are gatekept as if they're secret knowledge reserved for the wealthy.

And I'm heartbroken for every person who's been left to figure this out alone, in the dark, while drowning in fear, anxiety, and shame.

If that's you? I see you. And I want you to know: it's never too late to change your financial life.

You are not broke, you are experiencing broke-ness.

No matter what anyone tells you, even your inner [critic] voice —you can get better with money.

What they don't want you to know

We live in a capitalist society. That's just the reality.

And in a capitalist society, if you want any ability to get ahead, you absolutely need capital.

Not because money is everything. But because capital gives you:

• Power to make your own choices

• Resources to build the life you want

• Freedom to support your community

• Options to improve your quality of life

• Space to experience more joy

  
  

Here's what makes me furious: they don't teach us how to gain capital. Not in school. Not anywhere. They don't teach us how to build wealth. How to create financial systems. How to stop trading all our time for money. How to actually get ahead instead of just surviving. And that's not an accident.

Financial literacy is about liberation

Some people call it "work-optional." Others call it FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). Some say, "Be your own boss."

Call it whatever you want—I call it liberation.

I'm not living my life to work and die. And I don't want that for you either.

I want ultimate liberation for you: not having to depend on anyone. Having an actual choice. Being able to say no to things that harm you and yes to things that light you up.

In a capitalist society, that kind of freedom requires financial literacy. It requires understanding how capital works, how to build it, how to protect it, and how to use it to create the life you deserve.

That's why this is one of my Thriving Human pillars. Because in the world we actually live in, financial skills aren't optional—they're essential for true wellbeing and liberation.

And I want to share this knowledge with those who never received it.

I'm gonna be your annoying big sis, who is only trying to look out for you. But I promise to provide grace, guidance, and care alongside accountability. At the end of the day, only you know what is best for you. And also, read my disclaimer below, please! Each situation is unique, so this is not individual advice but rather general foundational information.

Building financial literacy starts with awareness

Here's an annoyingly simple truth about getting your financial life in order: you have to start with awareness.

Not judgment. Not shame. Just honest awareness.

And for those of us who "are aware" but nit doing a thing about it...I got you too, sis', we need to get some intertia in you.

Once you know:

• What's actually coming in?

• What's actually going out?

• Where are you today—and where do you want to be?

• +a lot more money skills

  
  

I understand that facing the music can feel overwhelming, and it’s perfectly okay to feel that way. However, confronting these tough situations is an important step toward self-awareness, which is truly one of the most compassionate things you can do for yourself. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey, and taking that step, no matter how difficult, is a profound act of kindness towards yourself.

You can't change what you don't acknowledge. And once you see it clearly? That's when things start to shift.

Why financial literacy matters more than you think

Financial literacy isn't just about balancing a checkbook or understanding compound interest (though those things matter).

It's about:

Freedom. The ability to make choices based on what you want, not just what you can afford right now.

Security. Knowing you can handle an emergency without your life falling apart.

Dignity. Not having to stay in situations—jobs, relationships, living arrangements—that harm you because you're financially trapped.

Community. Having resources to support the people and causes you care about.

Joy. Actually experiencing life instead of just grinding through it.

This is truly life-changing stuff. And the fact that it's not taught in school? That's not an accident—it's a feature of a system that benefits from keeping people financially vulnerable and dependent.

But you don't have to stay stuck in that system.

What actually works:

Learning money skills through practice

Here's what I know after years in change management: information alone doesn't change behavior.

You can read all the books and listen to all the podcasts, but until you actually practice the skills—with support and accountability—not much changes.

You need:

1. Skills (the how-to)

2. Practice (the doing it, even imperfectly)

3. Support (people who get it and have your back)

   
   

That's the approach I take in my Money Skills Learning and Practice Group—it's designed for people who were never taught about money and are ready to build something different.

Building financial literacy from ground zero

Maybe you're thinking, "I'm so behind" or "I should already know this."

Here's the thing: starting from ground zero isn't a disadvantage. It means you're building from a clean foundation. No bad habits to unlearn. No expensive mistakes to undo.

We start with the basics:

• Understanding where your money actually goes

• Building your first emergency fund

• Getting out of survival mode

• Creating a spending plan that works for your real life

  
  

And then we level up from there—all the way to managing significant wealth, building assets, and creating financial systems that work for you.

The people who start with nothing often build the strongest foundations because they understand, viscerally, why every dollar matters.

⚠️ Reality check: This is a long-term commitment! ⚠️ 

Please understand that this is not a get-rich-quick scheme.  Building wealth takes time and is a long-term process.

What you're committing to is learning skills that will compound over time. The work you do today—building awareness, practicing new habits, making different choices—will pay off in the long run. Sometimes in months. Often in years. Always in ways that create lasting change.

If you're looking for a magic solution or overnight transformation, this isn't it. But if you're ready to commit to yourself and build something real? This will change your life.

Where to start building your financial literacy

If this resonates with you and you're ready to finally get your financial life in order, I've created a space for exactly that.

The Money Skills Learning and Practice Group meets people where they are—whether that's ground zero or already building momentum—and gives you the skills, practice, and support to create real change.

We start with awareness and the basics, then level up as far as you want to go: emergency funds, getting out of debt, building wealth, managing assets, creating systems that run themselves.

I use a pay-as-we-build pricing model that's intentionally anti-capitalist—early supporters pay less and get lifetime access to everything as the program grows. [Learn more about how this works and why I price this way.]

[Here's everything you need to know about the group.]

You deserve to know this stuff. And it's never too late to start.

P.S. Want to start right now? Download my free Values-Based Money Decision Tracker—a practical worksheet that helps you identify your core values and make conscious financial choices that actually align with what matters most to you. [Link]

And if you want to understand why I approach financial literacy as a liberation tool, read: [Why Money Skills, Mentorship, and Leadership Are Your Liberation Trifecta]. [Link]

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Every individual or family situation is unique, so please consult with a licensed professional for personalized guidance. This information is intended to empower you with knowledge and help you effectively advocate for your wants, needs, and desires related to money, resources, energy, and time.