_{Note: I originally wrote this the weekend of my 40th birthday and Mother’s Day, reflecting on family, finances, and legacy. Life got in the way—but the message still hits. Glad to finally hit publish.}

I celebrated 40 years on planet Earth back home in NYC last Sunday on Mother’s Day.

That weekend was full of reflection as I walked through my old neighborhood and enjoyed the cool breeze blowing off the water from the upper deck of the Staten Island Ferry.

As I think back to my adolescence, I’ve also been thinking about legacy—and what we really pass down. Not just in dollars or assets, but in mindset. What we teach, what we model, and what we leave behind.

Science says we’re all born with hardwired traits that can’t be influenced And that’s likely true. But setting a strong example for your kids? That absolutely matters.

So in honor of both Mother’s Day and my 40th birthday, I want to share a few lessons I learned from my mom, what I wish I knew sooner, and how I’m working to raise financially smart kids of my own.

Three Money Lessons I Learned From My Mom

Our first lessons in life start at home. We absorb the habits and routines—good or bad—that our parents model for us.

I see it now in my own kids when they play house: pretending to head to the gym, but making breakfast for their “kids” first before rushing out the door.

When it comes to money and finances we tend to mimic what we saw growing up—for better or worse. Here are three of the biggest lessons my mom passed down:

1. Discipline First, Then Everything Else

My mom was steady when it came to money. Bills were always paid on time. She saved for retirement. She prioritized needs over wants—but I never felt like I was missing out either.

My mother believed in saving for rainy days and enjoying life along the way. From a young age, I had a savings account and knew how to write a check. Those early building blocks became the foundation for money habits that carried into adulthood.

2. Delayed Gratification

Whether I realized it or not, she was teaching me delayed gratification.
Her mindset was old-school in the best way: save, go to college, build a career, and grow from there.

All of that requires discipline and long-term thinking—delaying what’s easy or tempting now to achieve something greater later. That mindset has served me well in both life and investing.

3. Never Stop Learning

My mom was a reader—and she passed that love for learning on to me.
We were regulars at the library, and I started using a computer at five or six just by exploring those spaces.

Of all the money lessons she gave me, this one mattered most: keep learning.
Without that, I wouldn’t have leveled up my financial knowledge or built the life I have today.

In the information age, curiosity and continuous learning can unlock doors you never imagined possible.

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What I Would Tell My Younger Self About Money

My mom helped lay a solid foundation when it came to saving and providing for yourself.

But like many of our parents, she wasn’t necessarily taught how to accelerate her finances and build wealth in the modern world.

Here are a few key lessons I learned along the way—ones I wish I knew earlier:

Stop Saving—Start Investing

Saving is important. It builds discipline and gives you peace of mind. But here’s the truth: you can’t save your way to wealth.

Most traditional banks offer interest rates of 0.01% to 0.03%, and even high-yield savings accounts typically hover around 4%. That’s not enough to outpace inflation, let alone build real wealth.

Compare that to the S&P 500 which historically averages about 10% annual returns. And if you’re willing to do some research and invest in a few great companies or ETFs, your returns can skyrocket.

It doesn’t have to be stocks—it could be real estate or any asset that appreciates over time.
Just remember: Savings are for emergencies. Investing is for building wealth.

Credit Cards Aren’t (Necessarily) Bad

Some financial experts say, “If you can’t buy it in cash, don’t buy it at all.”
And while that’s a great mindset to avoid debt—you’re leaving rewards and opportunities on the table if you don’t use credit strategically.

If you can afford it, use a credit card and pay it off in full each month. Used correctly, credit can help you travel more, earn cashback, build your credit score, and even open new doors to wealth.

But you need a plan. Not every card is created equal. Not every loan makes sense.

Learn the rules—and play to win.

👉 Want help picking the perfect card or hitting an 800 credit score?
Check out my articles here and here.

Earn Less live More

The grind is real—but the goal isn’t to stay on the hamster wheel forever.
It’s about being smart with your time and money now—so you can buy your freedom later.

There’s nothing worse than feeling stuck in a job you hate just because the paycheck feels like a lifeline.

Sure, there’s nuance. But for me? I’ll gladly trade a high-paying, 80-hour-a-week grind for a lower salary and a life I actually enjoy. Money matters but so does peace.

When you invest, your money works even when you don’t.

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How I’m Raising My Kids to Be Financially Smart

My goal isn’t to be perfect—but I do want to be intentional.

Here are a few things I’m doing right now to help my daughters build strong financial habits early:

1. We Opened Custodial Accounts

They’re still young, but we’ve already started investing for them.
They won’t understand it all just yet—but one day, they’ll see we started with their future in mind.

Hopefully, this plants a seed—sparking curiosity and eventually, confidence in managing and investing money.
Times have changed, and we want to raise financially literate women who know how to build and grow wealth.

2. We Talk About Money—Even the Small Stuff

Whether we’re at the store or saving for something bigger, I bring them into the conversation. They know money isn’t just for spending—it has purpose.

My proudest recent moment? My 5-year-old told me she wanted to invest the $100 her grandmother gave her instead of buying another doll.

3. I Try to Lead by Example

Kids watch everything. So when I’m budgeting, investing, or skipping on a want for something we need, I let them see it.

They’re not just hearing financial advice—they’re seeing what discipline and priorities look like in real life.

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Money Is More Than Math, It’s a Mindset

My mom taught me the basics: discipline, saving, and the importance of being responsible with money. She gave me a strong foundation—and a love for reading and learning that continues to shape my journey today.

Now, it’s my turn to build on that.

To grow beyond what we were taught. To pass on knowledge, confidence, and strategy—not just bills and hard work.

As a Black father raising daughters, I want them to inherit a mindset rooted in ownership, opportunity, and self-belief.

Turning 40 gave me time to reflect-on the lessons I’ve learned and the ones I’m still learning.

And to my mom: thank you for showing me the foundation. I’m building on it every day.

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