https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 29 May 2026 15:44:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2372855 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 10:57:14 +0000 MaryM 2372855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Family mostly. </p> <p>My grandfather was very anti-debt. They never had credit cards, and figured if they didn't have the cash for it, they most likely didn't need it. Even after he retired from two careers, he kept working as a handy man (almost until he died) in order to keep money coming into the house. </p> <p>My mother picked up a lot of those behaviors, but it was a different time so she and my father also took on some debt, but a reasonable amount. </p> <p>My brother was the first in our family to incur student debt (when he went to law school), and he taught me a lot of the basics related to good debt and bad debt, and not to overpay on my student loans as long as I had other debt to pay (because of the low interest rates). I think we both took on too much credit card debt in college, but both have been able to work our way out of it. </p> <p>DH and I don't see totally eye to eye on that (he'd rather carry some debt and have more liquid cash, whereas I'd rather have less cash on hand if we're debt free). But we compromise and it works out ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2372736 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 09:54:04 +0000 snowjewelz 2372736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents, for sure! They always drill into my the importance of savings and being frugal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2372728 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 09:43:27 +0000 Alivoo01 2372728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My dad! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2372683 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 08:49:27 +0000 littlebug 2372683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, no where. And I tink that's a big part of my problem now. Sure my parents opened up savings accounts for me and my sister when we were little, but as I recall, there was never any discussion about the importance of saving, how to do it, etc. I didn't really ever start learning about savings or credit cards until it was WAY too late. My step-dad is incredible with money, so when we have money questions now, he's the first person I go to. My husband has always been good with money, too, so he helps reign me in sometimes. But I definitely think we will have on-going conversations with our kids about money. I don't want them to end up like me - a hopeless spender who has no real understanding of the consequences of building up debt until it's too late and you're in way over your head... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2372656 Mon, 30 Nov 2015 08:14:11 +0000 808love 2372656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>School of Hard Knocks. We grew up without extra money. My mom had divorce guilt so she would forgo her own clothing shopping for 10 years and run out of gas to get me a prom dress. Nobody in our extended family had money mangement skills. I happened to score a great part time job in college and was financially independent with grants so I learned from my mom's mistakes. I wasn't a saver but I never overspent because of her. I was never a shopper either. I read a few books a decade later in my early thirties-Suze, Kiyosaki and had always prioritized being debt free. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2372334 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 19:28:28 +0000 Keybee 2372334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In college! I took a family finance class that was very useful. After I was married I read some Dave Ramsay and Susie Oreman, I learned a lot from that. I plan to teach my children financial litteracy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2372299 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 18:43:46 +0000 SweetiePie 2372299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents were always extremely frugal, but didn't really "teach" me about debt or budgeting. Didn't hit the message home. I definitely got into a lot of credit card debt right after college - furnishing my first apartment, buying work clothes, etc. My husband is very anti-debt and smart with money, so he really taught me a lot while we were dating. Not really "taught", because, come on - I knew that debt was bad and I knew what a budget was. More or less he kicked my ass! Lent me money to pay off debts and I paid him back every penny, interest free - even into our marriage I kept "paying" him. I'm glad because it did show me that I have to be responsible for my debts and I didn't get a bailout. </p> <p>Now I pay off everything in full and only have 1 personal credit card (outside of our single joint card). I never want to be in that position again In case something happens to my husband. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2372151 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 13:38:38 +0000 BKCaribBaby 2372151@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>On my own through the years. I grew up with a single mother who didn't make much money, so there was very little to save or invest after the bills were paid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2372139 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 13:18:12 +0000 MrsRoo 2372139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsrain: @Greentea: oh I'm with you ladies. My parents never thought be anything about budgeting or saving. DH and I have only really figured it out in the last 5 years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2372130 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 12:57:21 +0000 Greentea 2372130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsrain: omg thank you! I was like... I can't be the only one that wasn't given guidance/ advice... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2372120 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 12:38:11 +0000 mrsrain 2372120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: yep, this. My parents opened me a bank account when I left for college and that was about the extent that I was taught to manage my finances. It wasn't until recently that my husband and I finally found a budgeting method that works for us. Oh the wasted money over the years! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2372061 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 10:15:30 +0000 winter_wonder 2372061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My dad! When DH and I got married he really encouraged us to set up a plan for paying off student loans, creating a budget, and saving. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2372058 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 10:12:42 +0000 DillonLion 2372058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was a mixture between lessons taught by my parents (avoid credit card debt), and lessons I learned by avoiding what my parents did (lived paycheck to paycheck, got help from family constantly). </p> <p>We also took a lot of lessons from Dave Ramsey's program. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2372036 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 09:28:21 +0000 Bao 2372036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My dad taught me all of this. The second that bill lands in your mail box you pay it. I try and follow that rule as best I can but sometimes it's not possible. We don't own credit cards and that helps a lot too. Overall he taught me not to spend what I don't have. DH's parents philosophy was "if you don't have the money, get a loan" yikes. We definitely have loans but not for things that aren't necessary (car, house). I'm thankful I was raised not to spend spend spend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371961 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 05:13:54 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2371961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom taught me the importance of saving, investing, and living below your means. I learned even more from my husband later about smart investments.</p> <p>As a child I helped my mom pay bills. Opening the envelopes, sorting them for her, writing out the info in the checkbooks, filing bills by month etc. This taught me that everything we had had a cost associated with it. By practice I learned to pay credit cards off in full. I learned record keeping although I don't do it today. </p> <p>My parents openly discussed 401ks, so I knew how important that was to set up and contribute to when I started working. My parents always shopped for the best deals for large purchases like furniture and even smaller ones like clothes. It was ingrained in me you don't have to pay more to get what you want. Just wait. As a kid that was sometimes frustrating, but if push comes to shove I know I could do it now.</p> <p>My parents let me make money mistakes too that I learned from myself. For instance my dad picked me up from my first babysitting job and we went straight to Express at my request to buy a green shirt I had been eyeing. I spent my all the money I just earned in one afternoon. When I started at my first real job- actual paycheck in HS. I bought Steve Madden shoes with my first paycheck, but didn't blow the entire check that time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371927 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 02:11:51 +0000 sunny 2371927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents taught me this starting at a young age. They always stressed how important it was to save for a rainy day and not spend all the money you have. Other practical things they did:<br /> * My parents opened a bank account for me and helped me regularly deposit money from gifts or earned from chores (and showed me how the balance was growing due to the interest that accrued)<br /> * We discussed the power of compounding interest -- in the context of working for and against you.<br /> * At the store, we discussed coupons and buying things on sale (or forgoing items that weren't on sale!)<br /> * In elementary school, we played stock market simulation games as a family (the local paper sponsored one annually).<br /> * My parents helped me apply for my own credit card and helped me understand that 1. I should continue to pay it off each and every month (they checked in on me from time to time, even though I was 18+ at that point) and 2. explain that I needed to build my credit score so I could eventually be eligible for a mortgage.<br /> * My parents steered me towards a university which they could afford and a major which had a clear path towards employment prospects. I'm eternally grateful I didn't have to learn this the hard way. </p> <p>I think all of these cultivated a keen interest in healthy personal finances and I have continued my education as an adult by learning about how to save and grow my money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371916 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:18:51 +0000 HLK208 2371916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My dad always talked about the dangers of consumer debt and how important it is to save...but they had tens of thousands in credit card debt and I don't think they ever had a savings while I was growing up 😁 </p> <p>DH and I had to learn for ourselves how much debt sucks, to put away a certain amount per month and to not spend beyond our means. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371911 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:09:30 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2371911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was a kid my dad told me "it's better to be frugal than frivolous," and that stuck with me into adulthood. At the beginning of our relationship DH and I had quite a bit of debt together. We worked hard to get out of it and established a budget to help us do it. Since then we haven't wanted to go back. My MIL is the one who taught me about retirement savings and investments. We go to her for a lot of financial advice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371909 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:07:20 +0000 autumnlove 2371909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom taught us stuff like this. I never wanted to listen when I was younger bit it has come in handy as an adult. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371907 Sun, 29 Nov 2015 00:00:17 +0000 gingerbebe 2371907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, school of hard knocks. </p> <p>My parents have always (and still do) have massive financial problems. They literally never had any money to save or invest - we lived hand to mouth most of my childhood - and my parents declared bankruptcy when I was in high school. They even got audited at some point. It really sucked to grow up in our house.</p> <p>I've had part time jobs since I was 16 and worked 3 jobs to get through college. Luckily, I had lots of scholarships and came out with relatively little college debt. Same for my brother. I guess because of that we've both had to learn how to save the hard way. I was also fortunate enough to marry someone who's always been frugal and good with money. Our only "setback" has been our massive law school loans, but we're aggressively paying them off.</p> <p>Because of the incredible stress my parents' financial issues put on their marriage and our family, I was super crazy about budgeting and financial planning in premarital counseling. I went the total opposite of my parents and I'm super conservative when it comes to money. We seriously spent more time discussing financial planning our first year than just about anything else. We were familiar with Dave Ramsey, but went over it again together as a couple. It was so worth it - its such a relief to have that security in my life now. We do a monthly cash-based budget, save for retirement, save for our son's college fund, and are still able to help my folks out. We've literally never fought once about money in the almost 5 years we've been married and we constantly work on our financial literacy. </p> <p>I will for sure be crazy about teaching all this stuff to our kids for sure! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371902 Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:51:45 +0000 Corduroy 2371902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't grow up with a ton of money but savings was always drilled into me. I saved every cent I got (gifts and earnings) until I was about 15. It never occurred to me to spend it because my parents always pushed saving. At 18 my grandparents gave me $2k to start a Roth IRA. Probably the best gift I'll ever get since it taught me a lot about investing and retirement so early on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371890 Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:23:45 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2371890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked starting in hs, and helped pay for bills, so that taught me a whole lot about budgeting. Theres nothing like life experience to teach you a lesson. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371888 Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:18:31 +0000 yoursilverlining 2371888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: my middle school and high school both had "life finance 101" type courses and for most of us, it didn't make a lick of difference regarding college debt. i think classes like that are important...but at least for me (someone with tons of advantages - involved and open parents, family members in finance, started working when I was 15, etc) college debt was all just theoretical before I was really an adult - and I mean well into my mid 20's. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371877 Sat, 28 Nov 2015 23:05:05 +0000 jhd 2371877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: that's even better! I hadn't thought about that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371872 Sat, 28 Nov 2015 22:52:56 +0000 mrbee 2371872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: Totally agree! And maybe they could even require it by junior year, so people can make informed decisions about how much student debt to take on for college! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371871 Sat, 28 Nov 2015 22:50:09 +0000 Greentea 2371871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Um, the school of hard knocks? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371866 Sat, 28 Nov 2015 22:38:28 +0000 jhd 2371866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: I think it's great. Now they just need to make sure students take this course as a senior before they go off to college and have people offering them free tshirts and pizza if they sign up for a credit card! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371863 Sat, 28 Nov 2015 22:32:53 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2371863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents taught me a ton about being smart about finances. </p> <p>I had my own savings account from an early age and had to learn how to balance my statements, fill out withdrawal/deposit slips, etc. I also got an investment account (mutual funds) as a teenager so was taught the importance of saving, about long-term investing, the value of compounding, etc. </p> <p>They also taught me to never carry a balance on a credit card and to this day I have never not paid off my card in full each month (except for a 0% interest furniture buying deal). I don't buy things unless I already have the money in my account to pay for it.</p> <p> All that said, I have said for years that schools should teach a course on budgeting, investing, retirement savings, compounding, etc. I think it should also include things like signing leases, buying homes, car purchases, and other such things. Basically a "life skills" course. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371862 Sat, 28 Nov 2015 22:30:40 +0000 mrbee 2371862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: It's great to hear that things are changing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/where-did-you-learn-financial-basics-importance-of-saving-avoiding-debt-etc#post-2371861 Sat, 28 Nov 2015 22:28:58 +0000 PawPrints 2371861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My dad started teaching me about the relative value of early saving/investment when I was super young. Like as soon as I grasped arithmetic, kind of young. I knew the importance of paying off your credit card every month before I really knew what a credit card was. It's totally due to him that I have stayed away from debt and been so proactive about saving in my early adult years. I'm lucky to have had that lesson. </p>