"We were not taught financial literacy in school. It takes a lot of work and time to change your thinking and to become financially literate."

Growing up, many of us never got the chance to learn how to handle money properly in school. It's like we were taught all these complex math problems and historical dates, but nobody sat us down to explain how to budget, invest, or even understand taxes. And let's be real, figuring out how to manage money as adults can feel like trying to solve a puzzle without having all the pieces. We have to put in a lot of effort and time to shift our mindset and really grasp financial literacy.

Think back to when you got your first job. Maybe you were a teenager, excited about earning your own cash. But did you know what to do with that paycheck? For most of us, the answer is no. We blew it on things we didn't really need because we just didn't know any better. This lack of early financial education leaves us playing catch-up.

Let's take a look at a real-life example. Meet Sarah. She graduated college with a ton of student loans and no idea how to manage them. She got a decent-paying job, but her financial life was a mess. She didn't know how to budget or save, and she was clueless about investing. It wasn't until she hit her late 20s, frustrated by living paycheck to paycheck, that she decided to do something about it. Sarah started reading books, listening to podcasts, and even took a few online courses about personal finance. She realized that becoming financially literate was going to take time and a lot of effort, but she was determined.

So, how can you apply this wisdom to your own life? First off, start small. You don't need to become a financial guru overnight. Begin by tracking your spending for a month. Just write down everything you spend money on. Trust me, it’s eye-opening. Next, create a budget. You can use apps like Mint or YNAB (You Need A Budget) to help you. Set aside a certain amount for savings, even if it’s just a little. The key is to be consistent.

Investing might sound scary, but you can start small here, too. Look into opening a Roth IRA or start investing in index funds. There are tons of resources out there that break down these concepts into bite-sized pieces. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. You're not going to change your financial habits overnight, but every little step you take gets you closer to where you want to be.

Imagine you're out with friends at a coffee shop, chatting about life. One of them, let's call him Jake, mentions he's tired of always feeling broke. You share with him how you started tracking your spending and made a simple budget. Jake's skeptical at first—he's never been great with money. But then you tell him about Sarah, and how she turned her financial life around by taking small, consistent steps. Jake's intrigued. Maybe he decides to give it a try, starts noticing patterns in his spending that he can change. Over time, Jake starts feeling more in control and less stressed about his finances.

We weren’t handed a financial playbook in school, but that doesn't mean we can’t write our own. It takes effort, a willingness to learn, and a bit of patience with ourselves. But it's doable, and the freedom and peace of mind that come with being financially literate are worth every bit of the effort. So, what’s your first step going to be?