As adults or even young adults, taking responsibility for our finances is one of the most important steps we must take. Whether it’s budgeting, saving, or understanding how money works, no one is going to do it for us. It's something we have to grow into, and blaming others, be it our parents, schools, or the government won’t fix our financial struggles. At a certain point in life, we have to admit that we are responsible for our actions or inactions and the consequences that follow.

There was a recent example of a 21-year-old complaining that being paid every two weeks should be banned. But the real issue isn’t the system. It’s the lack of budgeting skills. There's a saying in my area that goes something like: "The money a child receives ends up being spent on bean cakes." The deeper meaning is simple: if a child is given money, they will likely waste it because they don’t yet understand how to manage it wisely. This applies to adults, too. If we don't learn how to manage what we earn, we’ll keep finding ourselves in trouble no matter how much money we make
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It’s true that some of us didn’t grow up in homes where money matters were discussed. Some of us were never taught how to save, invest, or plan ahead. But that can not be used as an excuse forever. Today, we have no reason to remain in the dark. With smartphones in our hands, free podcasts, YouTube videos, blogs, and books, information is everywhere. Learning is now easier than ever. Unfortunately, many people still spend most of their time on entertainment rather than educating themselves.

Managing money is not just about cutting costs. It’s about being intentional with how we use what we have. It’s about learning, growing, and making better choices over time. As adults, especially the older ones, we need to set good examples for the younger generation. Whether we like it or not, the Gen Z generation is watching and learning from us. If we complain that young people today are reckless with money or making poor life choices, we must ask ourselves: Where did they learn it from?

Many of the problems we see in society didn’t just appear overnight. If there are drugs, crime, laziness, or poor financial habits around, it means someone passed those things down, intentionally or not. The family, school, and community all play a big role in shaping how young people grow. That’s why we, as adults, must do better, not just for ourselves but for those coming behind us.

We must know that taking finances seriously is not an option. It’s a life skill we all need. No matter how tough our background was, we can’t keep using it as an excuse forever.