Some of My Earliest Financial Lessons Didn’t Come From Books

Some of my earliest financial lessons didn’t come from books.
They came from my grandfather and my mother.

Both of them were frugal, not in a restrictive way, but in a values-first way. They had it clear:

→ Only buy what you truly need.
→ Only buy what you can afford in cash.
→ And always ask yourself if you genuinely want it.

Those three rules shaped how I looked at money, choices, and priorities.

And now, when I look back, I realize those lessons weren’t just about money.

They were about clarity and about asking better questions before acting.

And that’s something I see founders and leaders often struggle with.

Not with finances, but with their energy and time. They forget to ask:

→ Do you truly need to do this right now?
→ Do you want to do this?
→ Can you afford the cost in attention, energy, and focus?

The same rules that helped me make sense of spending now help me guide leaders towards more
sustainable ways of living and working.

Because when you’re clear, you’re free.