12 Things Writing About Money Taught Me About Money

When you write about personal finance, people assume you’ve unlocked some secret formula. Like, I must be the guy who has 18 months’ expenses in a high-yield savings account and never caves to delivery fees. Cute.

The truth: I live in New York City. Even if you’re good with money here, perfection is basically impossible. The rent is unforgiving, the Ubers are constant, and don’t even get me started on the $21 Caesar salads. 

Still, after writing about money for MoneyLion, I realized I’ve picked up lessons that made me better. Not perfect, but sharper. Here are 12 of them.

1. Coffee isn’t the enemy

I used to believe the latte-shaming headlines. Then I realized my credit card interest was racking up faster than my caffeine habit. Lowering your APR helps make you financially healthier. If you want a real win, look at your debt instead of your cold brew. Also, here’s an important tip: Cutting coffee makes you very, very cranky. 

2. Budgets don’t work unless you revisit them

I once made a gorgeous spreadsheet that lived in Google Drive for years, untouched. Budgets aren’t one-and-done. They’re alive, and they change with you: rent hikes, raises, random impulse buys. MoneyLion’s app can automate the “check-in,” but honestly even a Sunday scroll through your bank account is progress.

3. Your credit score is complicated but crucial

Paying bills on time is good, but credit scores care about way more: utilization, account mix, length of history. It’s like dating: They say “just be yourself,” but the truth is more math-y. Building credit with a Credit Builder loan through the Credit Builder Plus membership or keeping balances low goes further than obsessing over one number.

4. Emergency funds are everything

Nothing says “adulting” like having an emergency fund: money set aside for the random chaos life serves. I used to think I needed thousands to qualify. Turns out, even $500 tucked away changes everything. A surprise doctor bill becomes annoying, not catastrophic. Confidence looks like a cushion.

5. Side hustles aren’t passive income

I used to dream of casually funding vacations with a weekend side hustle. Reality check: side hustles are work, and sometimes harder work than your 9-to-5. The real “passive” income is compound interest or investing early. Otherwise, you’re just trading free time for cash. Which is fine, just don’t romanticize it.

6. Debt isn’t a scarlet letter 

I grew up thinking debt meant failure. Living in NYC taught me that debt sometimes just… happens. The shame spiral, though, is optional. What matters is the plan: consolidating debt, refinancing, or using tools to automate payments so the balance doesn’t grow teeth. You’re not failing. You’re adjusting.

7. Financial advice without context is pointless 

“Spend less than you earn” is a nice slogan, but not super helpful when rent is half your paycheck. The best advice meets you where you are. Apps that warn you before overdrafting or tools that actually track your spending in real time? That’s advice with context.

8. Money and mental health are related 

Money isn’t just math; it’s tied to pride, fear, and joy. Realizing that helped me stop beating myself up for feelings that were, honestly, pretty normal. I still cringe the rare times my card gets declined, even though it’s always just a fraud alert and thankfully not a lack of funds. 

9. Saving is easier when it’s invisible 

I used to transfer money manually to savings. Or, I said I would. Shockingly, I never remembered. But, automated transfers into my savings account changed everything. Even $20 a week adds up fast. By the time I check, it feels like free money. Add interest and the momentum (and money) builds even more. Turns out, automation is your best financial friend.

10. Credit cards are tools, not toys 

I used to chase credit card rewards points like they were Pokémon. And don’t get me wrong, credit card points are great, and can wind up saving you plenty of money. But points don’t help if you’re paying interest, or not paying off your balance in full. Using credit cards responsibly isn’t about denying yourself, it’s about remembering they’re powerful tools … kind of like fire. Useful, but don’t play around.

11. Small wins add up faster than big resolutions

Skipping brunch forever? Unsustainable. Cooking one more meal at home per week? Doable. Saving $100 each paycheck feels more possible than “save $10,000.” The incremental stuff adds up in ways dramatic declarations never do.

12. Perfection isn’t possible, and that’s perfectly fine 

This might be the most important lesson. No one is getting every financial decision right, especially in a city that feels designed to separate you from your money. The goal isn’t flawless execution. It’s progress, adaptability, and a little forgiveness.

The Gains Are In 

Writing for MoneyLion hasn’t turned me into a financial superhero. But it’s made me smarter about where the real gains come from — like credit, savings, and cultivating small habits — and more forgiving when I don’t nail it all.

The ultimate lesson? Coffee stays. Shame goes. And perfection was never the point.