What it is: Germans LOVE cash. Like, they use it for everything. Credit cards are way less common than in the US. Why they do it: The philosophy: If you can’t afford it with cash, you can’t afford it. What we can learn: We swipe cards without thinking. Studies show people spend 12-18% more when […]
Germany: Cash is King Read More »
What it is: A “tanda” is an informal savings club, similar to Kenya’s harambee. How it works: Why it matters: What we can learn: Sometimes the “official” financial system isn’t the only way. Community-based saving can work when you have trust and accountability. Modern take: You could do this with friends—everyone puts in $50/month, and
Mexico: The Tanda System Read More »
I wrote about this before, but it’s worth mentioning again because it’s so different from the American way. What it is: Multiple generations living together and pooling resources. How it works: What we can learn: American culture is obsessed with independence—move out at 18, make it on your own. But that’s expensive and honestly kind
India: Joint Family Economics (What I Saw This Summer) Read More »
What it is: Young South Koreans are part of what’s called the “N-Po Generation” (N-give-up generation), where they’re giving up on traditional milestones like marriage, houses, and kids because they’re financially unattainable. But there’s also a counter-movement: “YOLO economy” and “small luxuries.” How it works: The philosophy: If major financial milestones (house, kids) are unrealistic
South Korea: The “N-Po Generation” Mindset Read More »
What it is: “Harambee” means “all pull together” in Swahili. It’s a tradition of community fundraising and collective saving. How it works: The philosophy: Financial success isn’t just individual—it’s collective. You help others, and they help you. What we can learn: We’re so individualistic in the US. It’s all “pull yourself up by your bootstraps.”
Kenya: Harambee (Community Saving) Read More »
What it is: “Lagom” (pronounced “lah-gom”) is a Swedish word that means “just the right amount.” It’s their whole philosophy about balance. How it applies to money: The philosophy: Enough is enough. You don’t need excess to be happy. What we can learn: American culture is SO focused on “more”—bigger house, nicer car, more stuff.
Sweden: Lagom (Not Too Much, Not Too Little) Read More »
What it is: Kakeibo (pronounced “kah-keh-boh”) is a Japanese budgeting method that’s been around for over 100 years. It’s basically a journal where you physically write down every purchase and reflect on whether it was necessary. How it works: The philosophy: It’s not just about numbers—it’s about mindfulness. By writing it down, you become more
Japan: The Art of Kakeibo (Mindful Spending) Read More »
So my mom told me last week that I should “just walk into businesses and ask for a job” and I literally laughed out loud. Like, Mom, that’s not how it works anymore. You apply online, wait three weeks, maybe get an email back, probably get ghosted. Walking in with a resume and a firm
The Things My Parents Got Right (and Wrong) About Money Read More »
Banks will charge you for literally anything if you let them. Here are the big ones: Monthly fees ($5-15/month just for HAVING an account) Overdraft fees ($30-35 every time you spend more than you have) ATM fees ($3-5 when you use an ATM that’s not your bank’s) Minimum balance fees (some accounts charge you if
Bank Fees Are a Scam (Here’s How to Avoid Them) Read More »
If you’re under 18: If you’re 18+: Good banks for people our age:
How Do I Even Open a Bank Account? Read More »
Okay so I’ll be honest—I had a bank account for like three years before I actually understood what it was for. My parents opened it when I was 13, put my birthday money in it, and I just… let it sit there. Then I got my first job and suddenly had a debit card and
Banking 101: Checking vs. Savings vs. That Random Account Your Parents Opened for You Read More »
I’m sixteen, and this summer I visited India. It wasn’t my first time, but it was the first time I actually paid attention to how people there handle money. And honestly? It changed how I think about spending, saving, and what “enough” really means. The Street Vendor Who Taught Me About Margins On my second
How My Summer in India Changed How I Think About Money Read More »
Last week, I opened Instagram for “just five minutes” before bed. An hour later, I had seven items in different shopping carts, a screenshots folder full of “aesthetic” products, and zero idea why I suddenly needed a cloud lamp. A cloud lamp. To put on my ceiling. That costs $25. I don’t even like ambient
Why Social Media Makes Us Want Things We Don’t Need Read More »
I’m sixteen. Retirement feels about a million years away. So why am I writing about senior savings plans? Because I watched my grandmother cry over medical bills last year. And I realized something: getting old isn’t just about wrinkles and gray hair. It’s about money. Or more specifically, the lack of it. What Even Is
Why Your Grandparents Need a Plan (And Why You Should Care) Read More »
I get a monthly allowance, and honestly, I used to blow through it so fast. Like, I’d have cash one week and be asking for advances the next. And the weird part? I had no idea where it all went. The Wake-Up Call Last year, I saw this really cute dress online. Not expensive, just
The 48-Hour Rule: How I Stopped Wasting Money on Stuff I Don’t Need Read More »
