Hi, I’m Ethan, and my relationship with money has changed a lot over the years. When I was a teenager, I didn’t really think about it. If I had some cash, I spent it. I bought snacks, games, and things I didn’t need. I didn’t save because I felt like saving was only for “older people.” My first real job changed that. I worked part-time and got paid every two weeks. At first, it felt amazing. I finally had my own income, so I treated myself all the time. But then I had a month where everything happened at once: my phone broke, my friend had a birthday, and I had to pay for a course. I realised I had no safety net. I wasn’t in debt, but I felt stressed because I couldn’t cover everything comfortably. After that, I started doing something simple. I divided my money into three parts: essentials, savings, and “fun.” Essentials were transport, food, and phone bills. Savings were small at first—maybe 10%. Fun was whatever was left. The system was not perfect, but it gave me control. I stopped feeling guilty about spending because I knew I had already saved something. One of the biggest lessons I learned was about subscriptions and small daily spending. I used to think, “It’s only a coffee,” or “It’s only a small fee,” but those small costs add up. When I checked my bank app, I was shocked. I had multiple subscriptions I didn’t even use, and they were quietly taking money every month. I cancelled most of them, and the difference was real. Now, I still enjoy life, but I try to be intentional. I don’t buy things just because they are on sale. I ask myself, “Would I buy this at full price?” If the answer is no, I usually skip it. I also try to save for experiences, not only for objects. For me, money is not only about having more. It’s about having less stress and more freedom.

Hello, I’m Sofia. My money story is not dramatic, but it is very real. For a long time, I felt anxious about money because I didn’t understand it well. I knew how to work hard, but I didn’t know how to plan. I often said, “I’m just not good with money.” Now I think that was only an excuse. A few years ago, I moved to a new city for work. At the beginning, my salary was okay, but the costs were higher than I expected. Rent, transport, and groceries were expensive. I also spent money when I felt stressed. If I had a bad week, I would “reward myself” with shopping or food delivery. It felt good for one day, but then I felt regret when I saw my balance. So I decided to change my habits. I didn’t want to become strict or miserable, but I wanted to feel stable. The first thing I did was track my spending for one month. I used a simple notes app. I wrote down everything: coffee, taxi, snacks, cosmetics, even small things. It was uncomfortable, but it helped me see patterns. I noticed I was spending a lot on convenience. Then I created a basic budget. I chose realistic goals, not perfect goals. For example, I didn’t stop eating out completely, but I limited it to once a week. I also started cooking more at home and taking lunch to work. That one change saved a lot. Another important step was building an emergency fund. I didn’t have one before, and that meant every unexpected problem felt like a crisis. I started with a small target: one month of expenses. It took time, but it gave me peace of mind. When my laptop suddenly needed repair, I didn’t panic. Today, I still enjoy spending money, but I think more before I buy. I ask, “Do I really need this, or am I just trying to change my mood?” That question has saved me many times. Money can be emotional, but planning makes it less scary.

Hi, I’m Daniel. I want to share a personal mistake I made with money, because it taught me a strong lesson. When I finished university, I got my first full-time job. I was proud, and I wanted to look successful. I started upgrading my lifestyle too fast. I rented a nicer apartment, bought expensive clothes, and went out a lot. I told myself, “I deserve it. I work hard.” At first, it was fine. I could pay my bills. But I didn’t pay attention to one key detail: I was living close to my limit. I wasn’t saving much, and I was using my credit card too often. I didn’t feel like I was “in trouble,” because I always paid at least the minimum. That was the trap. Minimum payments feel safe, but they can keep you in debt for a long time. Then my company had a difficult period, and my hours were reduced for a couple of months. My income dropped, and suddenly my lifestyle was impossible. I had to make changes quickly. I felt embarrassed and stressed, and I realised I had built my life on unstable spending. I made a plan. First, I cut unnecessary costs: delivery food, random online shopping, and expensive weekends. Second, I negotiated with myself. I didn’t say “I can’t have fun.” I said, “I can have fun, but it must be affordable.” I also started paying more than the minimum on my credit card to reduce the balance faster. It took time, but it worked. The biggest lesson for me is that money is connected to identity. Sometimes we spend because we want to feel confident, or because we compare ourselves to others. Now I focus on long-term stability. I still buy nice things sometimes, but I try to save first, then spend. I also set goals: travel, learning, and investing in skills. For me, real success is not expensive clothes. It’s having options, even when life changes unexpectedly.