This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Elevating yourself financially is all within your control
Ironically, financial mismanagement occurred throughout my childhood, but my parents still thankfully introduced us to the concept of personal finance and entrepreneurship.
I got my first ROTH IRA opened at 14 and started making contributions from the money I made from my business. However, I didn’t understand how critical it was to invest consistently until much later, when I started to tackle the subject of finance more aggressively on my own. I try not to regret this massive oversight.
My parents set me up for financial success in five ways.
They introduced me to ROTH IRAs at a young age
They offered me pay to complete entrepreneurial jobs
They had us read personal finance books at the dinner table
They encouraged me to start my own music teaching business at 14
My father exposed me to millionaires and billionaires consistently (via his side hustle)
Whether your parents did or didn’t teach you about money, you can either learn what not to do or learn what to do. I learned both ways.
Self-Education
However, I have learned about finance primarily through reading books. I didn’t have any financial mentors growing up or anyone who taught me about money regularly.
I did have one constant accessible treasure, though: books.
Books have saved the day for me every single time. I’ve learned more from researching and reading books than from anyone in-person to date.
People who complain about not understanding money are only giving themselves away; what they mean to say is they aren’t willing to buckle down and educate themselves on the topic.
Don’t choose a financial author that uses over-fancified (made up word) words that make no sense. Look for an author who explains financial concepts in the simplest manner; these are the most intelligent people because they know how to effectively communicate in simple terms, which helps them reach more people.
Statistics Were Against Me
I’m an African-American female. Based on statistics, I’m not supposed to be doing that well financially, but I don’t care about statistics, which is why I choose to educate myself continually. Hence, I help not only myself but others as well.
Black women earn 63 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. We’re the most employed racial group of women, and we also experienced the highest unemployment rate amongst women during the pandemic (US Department of Labor).
There’s a disparity in financial literacy rates across different racial and ethnic groups in the United States, with Black, Hispanic, and Native American populations tending to have lower rates of financial literacy and White and Asian populations tending to have higher rates (Investopedia).
What do statistics say about you? Know that it doesn’t matter. Create your definition of success; this is what matters most.
If you’re struggling financially, get a book. I guarantee you’ll come out more brilliant and empowered than you did before you picked the book up.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.