Adulting 101: Money Basics You Actually Need

One of the biggest shocks after leaving school, college or university is how quickly money becomes something you think about constantly.

Before, money usually meant pocket money, student loans, or part-time wages that covered fun things. Suddenly, it’s tied to responsibility. Bills. Rent. Food. Saving. The future. And it can feel like everyone else understands how it works — while you’re quietly googling things late at night.

If that’s you, you’re not behind. You’re just learning.

When Money Becomes More Than Just Spending

One day you realise money isn’t just about what you want anymore — it’s about what you need.

You start thinking about:

• Saving money, even when your income doesn’t feel big enough

• Bills you didn’t know existed until they arrived

• Credit scores and why people keep mentioning them

• Rent, deposits, and the idea of owning a home one day

This shift can feel overwhelming, especially when no one ever properly explained it to you. Most of us weren’t taught how to manage money — we were just expected to figure it out as we went.

And that’s exactly what most people are doing.

You’re Not Supposed to Have It Figured Out Yet

There’s a lot of pressure to be “good with money” straight away. To save, budget, and plan perfectly from the start.

But the truth is, most adults learn about money through trial and error. Overspending, forgetting about a bill, misjudging how much something really costs — these experiences don’t make you bad with money. They’re how you learn.

Financial confidence doesn’t come from never making mistakes. It comes from slowly understanding your habits and adjusting over time.

Saving Money (Even When It Feels Impossible)

One of the biggest myths about saving is that you need to earn a lot to start. In reality, saving is less about the amount and more about the habit.

Saving might look like:

• Putting aside a small amount whenever you can

• Building an emergency buffer over time

• Saving with a purpose, not just “because you should”

You don’t need to save perfectly or consistently. You just need to start where you are.

Credit, Rent & Future You

Things like credit scores, renting, and mortgages often feel very “adult” and far away — until suddenly they’re not.

Understanding these things takes time, and you’re allowed to learn them gradually. You don’t need to master everything at once. Even knowing that these things exist and affect your future is a good starting point.

There’s no rush, and there’s no timeline you have to stick to.

A Gentle Reminder

Money can feel stressful because it’s tied to security, freedom, and independence. It’s normal to feel anxious about it, especially at the beginning.

You’re not bad with money.

You’re not irresponsible.

You’re not failing.

You’re just learning how to manage something no one ever properly taught you.

This is a topic I’ll be breaking down more in future posts — saving, budgeting, credit, renting, and everything in between — in a way that feels manageable and realistic.

One step at a time is more than enough.

— Chantelle