Why Didn’t Anyone Teach Us This? (And What You Can Try Today)
You know that moment...
…when you realize you’re supposed to be a fully functioning adult… but no one ever taught you how to manage money, budget, save, invest, or even make sense of your bank account?
Yeah. Me too.
If you’ve ever thought, “I should know this by now,” or “Why am I still so stressed about money?”,
You’re in the right place.
This blog is here to help you build confidence with money—through practical steps, mindset shifts, and real-life financial tools.
The Gap No One Talks About
Money touches just about everything—from filling up your gas tank, to date night with your spouse, to how safe or stressed you feel about the future.
How we think about money, how we use it, and how we feel around it can either support the life we want to build—or silently work against it.
It’s a tool that reaches into nearly every corner of life—and yet, most of us were never taught how to manage it in a way that fits real life.
📊 Only around 15–19% of Americans say they learned how to manage money from school (Cricket Media).
📚 As of mid-2025, only 27 states require a stand-alone personal finance course for graduation (Ramsey Solutions).
So, if you’ve ever felt behind, ashamed, or overwhelmed by financial stress—please hear this:
You’re not broken. You were just never equipped.
So why didn’t anyone teach us this?
Most of us grew up in homes where money was a source of stress, silence, or shame. And it’s not that our parents or teachers didn’t care—it’s that many of them weren’t taught how to manage money either.
When financial confidence isn’t modeled or taught, it’s hard to pass it on.
Unless you had someone in your life—a parent, mentor, or school program—who intentionally taught you financial life skills, you were probably left to piece it together yourself… usually by trial and error.
It’s not that you missed something—it’s that the system missed you.
It’s Not Your Fault—But It Is Your Opportunity
You weren’t taught this, and that’s okay. But now that you’re aware of the gap, you have a real opportunity to fill it—in a way that’s practical, personal, and grounded in who you are.
In my coaching, I use a framework inspired by cognitive behavioral therapy:
Thought → Feeling → Action → Result
What you think about money affects how you feel around it—which shapes what you do—which creates the results you're living with.
Let’s say:
Thought: “I’m just bad with money.”
Feeling: Defeated
Action: Avoid checking accounts
Result: Missed payments and more stress
Now flip it:
Thought: “Looking at my account gives me clarity.”
Feeling: Empowered
Action: Review spending weekly
Result: Fewer surprises, more peace
This isn’t just “positive thinking.” It’s about noticing the loops we’re stuck in—and choosing small, doable shifts that lead somewhere better.
What You Can Do Right Now
You don’t need a full-blown financial overhaul to move forward—
you just need one honest moment and one small step.
Here are a few to try this week:
Notice your money thoughts: Write down one recurring thought and ask, Is this actually true—or just familiar?
Check in without judgment: Spend 15 minutes looking at your recent transactions. No fixing—just noticing.
Try something small: Automate $10 to savings. Track one category. Tell someone you trust that you’re trying to get a handle on things
The point isn’t perfection—it’s movement.
It’s Not Too Late—It’s About What You Do Next
You’re not the only one who missed the memo on money. You’re not behind. You’re not less-than. You’re just in the middle of learning—on purpose.
And that matters.
Ready to Put This Into Practice?
Grab your free Thoughts-to-Action Money Tracker and start noticing the patterns that are shaping your financial life.
This is a simple tool—but it might shift more than you expect.
You’re doing the work that creates real change, and I’m cheering you on.
Want More Support?
If this post hit home and you're ready to create a plan that fits your real life—not just the numbers—I’d love to walk with you.
My coaching combines grace, structure, and strategy to help you get clear, take action, and build a life you actually want to live.
👉 Click here to apply to work with me
We'll start with a quick application to make sure it's the right fit—and then go from there.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Want to go deeper?
In next week’s post, I’ll walk through 3 of the most common money messages we’ve internalized—and how they can quietly shape the way we earn, spend, or avoid money altogether.
It’s eye-opening, a little tender, and super practical.
Stay tuned 💛
