I Was Broke Before I Had Bills: My First Money Lesson

As I sit and reflect, I first realized I was bad with money back in high school.

Growing up, I didn’t really have many “good with money” examples in my life. I mean, I had my aunt and uncle, who were pretty financially affluent from what I could tell. My uncle was a well-to-do pharmaceutical sales rep, and my aunt worked in sales at AT&T. But that was about it. And even then, I don’t really recall them instilling any real financial wisdom in me. It felt more like they were just doing their best to cover what my mom couldn’t.

Then, sometime around 10th grade, I got my first real job at Mr. Alan’s. For those not old enough or not from the Detroit area, this was the “$29… two for fitttttyyyyy ($50)” shoe and clothing store.

I was making pretty decent money for a high schooler. It was commission-based, so I earned a percentage of everything I sold. And in the days of Air Force 1 hype, Jordan packs, and Girbaud jeans, those checks were solid. A few hundred dollars a week if I was really on my game.

But with all that money came some massive holes in my pockets.

Every day off, I was at Fairlane Mall (yeah, I’m showing my age a little 😅). I was at the movies trying to take somebody on a date. In Aeropostale or American Eagle chasing that “swag.” If I had a little extra, I’d stop in Hollister. At work, I was giving the money right back. Girbaud. Akademiks. South Pole. Lot 29. If you couldn’t tell, I was still trying to figure my personal style out.

Long story short, I was spending everything. Living paycheck to paycheck before I even had real responsibilities.

Then it was time for college.

All the working I did. All the graduation gifts I got. And I still showed up to campus broke.

Mind you, I graduated valedictorian. So you’d think I would’ve had some common sense there. I did not.

I remember my first week on campus going to Taco Bell with some of my new roommates and barely having $5–$10 in my account. Refund checks didn’t help either. I didn’t fully understand the gravity of student loans, and I was spending money on everything I thought I needed. New Xbox. New iPod. You name it.

Looking back now, 15–20 years later… mannn, I blew through some cash. And I struggled because of it.

I wish I could go back and fix even half of those mistakes. If I would’ve saved just half. If I would’ve known about investing and put even a little bit away, future me would’ve been in a much better position.

But at the same time, I wouldn’t have today’s testimony without all that testing.

That’s really why I created The Urban Profit.

It’s more than just making financial principles easier to understand for people who grew up in spaces and communities like mine. I created it in hopes that people could avoid some of the mistakes I made. But also to be what I didn’t have growing up: a financial guide.

Someone who understands the importance of making early financial sacrifices so the future can be a lot easier. Someone who understands that better money habits today create more options tomorrow. Someone who wants to save others from the stress that comes with constant financial pressure.

Because of the struggles I endured, I now understand the importance of budgeting and saving. I understand the benefits of investing and making your money work for you.

And my biggest goal is to help others realize the same.

More importantly, to realize it’s never too late to start making better financial decisions.

You deserve it.
Your family deserves it.
Your future deserves it.

And sometimes, all it takes is one small habit snowballing into a system of success.

If you’re trying to avoid learning money lessons the hard way, I broke down the basics that I wish I had earlier.

👉 Download the Money Move Manual (free) and grab the Lunch Break Budget Kit to start building better habits today.

Your future self will thank you.