Money Sense 101: Lesson 1 - Relax. Money Is Weird for Everyone.

Money Isn't Just Math. It's Mood. It's Memory. It's Trauma Wrapped in a Wallet.

Let's start with the truth nobody wants to say out loud:

Most people—poor, middle class, rich, insanely rich—feel weird about money.

The difference?
When rich people mess up, they don't get punished for it.

Why Money Feels So Heavy

The world trains us to treat money as a measure of identity. It's not just currency—it's a report card on your worth as a human being.

• Got money? You're smart, disciplined, successful.
• Don't have money? You must be lazy, irresponsible, flawed.

This is a lie, but it's a lie with power.

When You're Poor, Money Feels Like Oxygen

Scarce. Precious. Panic-inducing.

You're not overthinking money—you're responding to real danger. Your brain isn't being dramatic. It's keeping you alive.

Your spending habits are responses to danger, not personal flaws.

You Don't Need to Fix Yourself

You need to understand your brain.

If money makes you anxious, congratulations: you're a normal human being and not a malfunctioning robot.

Reflection Activity

Fill in the blank:

"Money feels like ______ to me because ______."

There's no wrong answer. Just honesty.

The Micro-Win

You feel seen rather than judged.

That's where everything starts.