What I Would Tell My 15-Year-Old Self About Money and Growth.

If I could go back in time to when I was fifteen years old, the advice and warning I’d give myself would be based on one major thing—how I handled money and opportunities at that age.

I came across this question recently, and it really made me pause and reflect. I realized that fifteen was about seven years ago for me. Back then, I was still in secondary school, just a regular teenager with very little real understanding of how life truly works. At the time, I attended a private school, and to be honest, I had almost everything I needed. My older brother was the one taking care of our needs—he was doing well financially and made sure we were comfortable. In fact, I never really lacked anything, especially money.

But here’s the thing: I didn’t value the money I was getting. Not even a little. My brother was always there to give us what we needed, and because of that, I developed this mindset that he’d always be there, always ready to provide. I didn’t even think about saving or planning for anything serious. I saw money as something that would always be available, and so I wasted a lot of it.

I remember opening a bank account at sixteen, which was a good step. But what did I do with that account? Instead of using it to build something meaningful, I saw it as a place to stash money for my next phone or some trendy clothes I didn’t need. I was caught up in the moment, always chasing the next flashy thing, without thinking about the future.

Now, things are very different. My brother doesn’t send money like he used to, and the value of our currency has dropped so much that what seemed like a lot of money back then doesn’t even stretch far anymore. I look back now and realize how much I could have done differently. If I had saved more, planned better, or even tried investing in small but meaningful things, I know without a doubt that I’d be in a better place today.

So if I had the chance to talk to my 15-year-old self, I’d say this:

Stop wasting money on things that won’t matter in a few years. Learn to save. Learn to think ahead. Don’t depend on someone else’s wealth as if it’s your own forever, because things change. Invest in yourself, your future, and your growth. That money you blow on snacks, gadgets, or random outings might just be the exact money you’ll wish you had when times get tough.

I’d say it with love, but with all the seriousness it deserves. Because I’ve learned the hard way that time flies, and money misused rarely comes back the same way.

Posted Using INLEO