The Spark
“I don’t know anything about money.”
“I’m just not good with money.”
“Money stresses me out.”
“I’ll figure it out someday.”
Sound familiar? Most of us have thought — or even said — something like this before. And if we’re being honest, many of us have secretly hoped someone would come along to finally help us figure it out.
My goal with The Wealth Ethic is simple: to help you stop saying those things — for good.
I first became interested in personal finance during the aftermath of the 2008 Financial Crisis. I had just graduated college and was lucky to have a job lined up — but I was scared. Scared of losing it. Scared of not making ends meet. Scared of how much I didn’t know about money.
Over the next 17 years, that fear turned into fascination. I dove into learning about personal finance, investing, how markets work, and how everyday people — without finance degrees or six-figure salaries — can build confidence and clarity around money.
If I could go back and give my 2008 self one piece of advice, it would be this:
“Don’t worry about being ‘good with money.’ Focus on what good looks like for you.”
Because here’s the truth: there’s no universal test for being “good with money.” It’s about finding what works for you — not for someone on a podcast or in a bestselling book. Personal finance isn’t a destination; it’s a journey that evolves as your life does.
The Problem with Most Money Advice
Too often, personal finance is presented as a rigid formula — and worse, it’s often served with a side of shame.
“You should have 12 months of emergency savings.”
“Stop everything and save $1,000 right now.”
“Why are you behind if you’re not saving 20% for retirement?”
I’ve seen headlines like these everywhere. While there’s some truth in them, they’re often unrealistic and unhelpful if you’re just starting out — or if your life doesn’t fit neatly into a spreadsheet.
These “rules” can feel more like ultimatums than guidance. They overwhelm people. They create shame spirals around debt. They make it seem like money is only for the spreadsheet-obsessed. And that’s tragic — because everyone deserves to feel confident about their finances.
What I Believe Instead
Here are a few things I’ve come to believe about money over the years:
- Wealth is about peace of mind, not just a number.
- How ‘wealthy’ you feel is relative to your lifestyle.
- Spending money can be joyful — if it truly brings you joy.
- How you think about money matters just as much as what you do with it.
- Avoiding big mistakes is more important than always getting it perfect.
None of these beliefs require a finance degree — or even a calculator. They start with you: your goals, your values, your personality. Yet most personal finance content skips right to savings rates, net worth targets, or asset allocations by age. Those things matter — but only after you’ve built a guiding philosophy.
My Goal with The Wealth Ethic
The word “ethic” means a guiding philosophy. That’s what this space is about: helping you shape your own philosophy toward money.
I want this to be a kind, judgment-free space — not another platform for a “guru” telling you how to live. No finger-wagging. No shame. Just honest reflections on what has worked (for me at least), approachable tools, and ways to think differently about money’s role in your life.
What You Can Expect
Here’s what you’ll find here:
- Gentle habits to manage money with confidence
- A mindset-first approach to building wealth
- Common money mistakes to avoid (and how to recover from them)
- Tools and mental models to reduce money stress
- Book and article reviews worth your time
- Reflections on how money intersects with meaning
One more thing: I’ll never recommend a specific investment. Ever. I may share how I personally invest or save — but only to illustrate, not advise.
This is a journey we’ll walk together. If you want to live well, spend mindfully, and escape fear-based financial advice… you’re in the right place.
Welcome to The Wealth Ethic.
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