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 is what I want you to know: Money stress isn’t a personal failure. It’s the result of a system that never gave you the tools you needed. And the good news? You can choose to learn now, in a way that actually aligns with your values and the life you want.

Money stress doesn’t have to be the norm.

Don’t wait another month to feel peace with your finances. Grab my free guide 3 Real-Life Steps to Stop Stressing About Money and start today.

The Gap No One Talks About

Money touches nearly everything, how safe we feel about the future, how we care for our families, even

how we enjoy time with the people we love. And yet, most of us were never given the tools to manage it well.

📊 Only about 15–19% of Americans say they learned how to manage money in school.1
📚 As of 2025, just 27 states require a stand-alone personal finance course for graduation.2

So if you’ve ever felt behind, ashamed, or overwhelmed, please hear me when I say:
You’re not broken and you’re definitely not alone.  

You were just never equipped. 

For many of us, money wasn’t something our parents talked about openly. And even if they did, they often didn’t have the tools themselves. Without healthy modeling, it’s easy to grow up thinking financial stress is just “normal.” But normal doesn’t mean healthy. And here’s the good news: the cycle doesn’t have to continue.

This is why no one ever taught us about money. It wasn’t in school, it wasn’t modeled at home, and most of us were left to figure it out by trial and error.

Why This Matters

For years, I tried to figure money out on my own. I read the books, highlighted the advice, even made a few spreadsheets. But when it came to putting it all into practice, I felt stuck. The books didn’t talk about the emotional side of money, or the way real life doesn’t always fit into neat formulas. And honestly? I was embarrassed. Money felt like something I should already know how to handle, so I kept it quiet.

The truth is, money management in most families is more caught than taught. If stress, silence, or shame is what gets modeled, that’s usually what kids carry into adulthood. They step into the world without basic money skills, left to learn by trial and error, and often start behind, weighed down by debt or confusion. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to stay that way. When parents (or even individuals) choose to get a handle on their finances, they not only change their own future, they give the next generation a huge advantage.

And this isn’t just about numbers. When you start aligning money with your values, everything shifts.

Instead of reacting to bills or following what you think you’re “supposed” to do, you begin to make intentional choices that actually support the life you’re called to live. For some, that means setting aside money for experiences. For others, it means creating stability, generosity, or more breathing room in everyday life.

When you see money as a tool, not a measure of worth, the shame lifts. Decisions stop being about fear, and start being about purpose. That’s the shift that changes everything.

Financial literacy isn’t just about numbers, it’s about building a life that reflects your values, reduces stress, and creates more freedom.

Actionable Steps: What You Can Try This Week

You don’t need a full-blown financial overhaul to move forward. Just one honest moment and one small step. Here are three places to start:

1. Notice your money thoughts.
Many of us carry unspoken money thoughts that shape how we spend and save. For me, one of those thoughts was: “Budgeting will limit me.” I wrestled with it for years because it felt like restriction. But when I started budgeting around my values, it actually gave me more freedom, it helped me say “yes” to what mattered most and “no” to what didn’t. Take a moment to write down one thought you have about money. Then ask yourself: Is this actually true, or just familiar? That small awareness can spark a big change.

2. Check in without judgment.
Spend 15 minutes reviewing your recent transactions. Don’t try to fix anything, just notice. What patterns do you see? What story does your money tell? Is it aligned with your values, or is it mostly reacting to the demands of the moment? Whether you’re single or managing finances with a spouse, this exercise is about awareness, not shame. When you see clearly, you can begin to make intentional choices without carrying guilt.

3. Redirect one expense.
Look for one habit or purchase that doesn’t really serve you. Maybe it’s another streaming subscription, frequent takeout, or impulse buys that add clutter instead of joy. Then ask: What would feel more life-giving than this? Redirect that money, whether into savings for a trip, a date night fund, or simply breathing room in your budget. This small swap is often the first step toward living your values on purpose.

The point isn’t perfection, it’s progress. Small, intentional steps like these are how you begin rewriting your money story.

Resources

Before you close this tab and go back to your day, take a moment to grab something that can actually help you move forward.

• ✅ Free Guide: Start with 3 Real-Life Steps to Stop Stressing About Money. It’s simple, practical, and will give you easy wins you can try right away.
  
  

• 📖 Book I Recommend: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel, a powerful reminder that managing money well isn’t just about numbers, it’s about how we think and behave with it.
  *As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
  

• 🤝 Want a guide in your corner? If you’re ready to go deeper, start by visiting my Work With Me page. You’ll see how coaching can bring clarity and peace to your finances, and when you’re ready, you can book a free 20-minute Q&A call to explore if it’s the right next step for you.
  

You don’t have to figure this out alone. The tools are here, and I’d love to help you use them with hope and purpose.

Footnotes

1. ABA survey: Only 15% of people learned most financial concepts from school ↩
   
   

2. ExcelinEd report: 27 states require a stand-alone personal finance course (2025) ↩

3. Note: Some of the links I share may be affiliate links. That just means if you decide to purchase, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend resources I truly believe will add value to your financial journey.