Financial Lessons I Wish My Parents Had Taught Me (and How I’m Learning Anyway)
by Anoushka Mirchandani, Founder & CEO
When I graduated from college, I thought I was ready.
I had the degree, the job offer, the big plans.
I also had student loans, a low-paying job, a car to pay off, and rent to cover—none of which my paycheck could really handle.
What I didn’t have?
A clue how to actually manage my money.
No one warned me how fast store credit cards could snowball just for 10% off.
No one explained that starting early with saving and investing mattered more than how much I could put away.
I figured I’d learn as I went.
Spoiler: I learned the hard way.
Most of us didn’t grow up talking about money—and if our parents weren’t taught, how could they teach us?
So here’s what I wish I’d learned sooner—and what I’m still figuring out now.
Saving Isn’t Just for Big Goals—It’s for When Life Falls Apart
Growing up, saving was always framed around big milestones—college, a house, maybe retirement if you were really on top of things.
No one talked about saving for the stuff that actually hits hardest:
Unexpected bills. Time off work. Life happening.
A few years ago, I went through a health scare.
It completely knocked the wind out of me—and the medical bills didn’t help.
On top of everything else, I was suddenly trying to figure out how to cover thousands of dollars I hadn’t planned for.
I wasn’t prepared. And I learned the hard way that emergencies don’t wait until you’re financially ready.
That’s when I realized, saving and investing isn’t about having a lot of money.
It’s about putting aside whatever you do have—$10, $20, $50, whatever—and letting it grow.
Because when life throws something big at you, even a little buffer can make a massive difference.
What I wish I’d known:
Saving isn’t about hitting some magical number.
It’s about building a habit that protects your future self—no matter where you’re starting from.
Debt Isn’t Always Evil—But It Can Swallow You If You’re Not Careful
When I started my career, I made $48,000 a year.
Rent was $1,000.
Car payment? $350.
Student loans? $1,000.
Utilities and basics? Another couple hundred.
After taxes? There was nothing left.
And I was in my 20s—new city, new job, trying to make friends, build a life. I went out. I said yes to things.
I wasn’t reckless—I was just trying to feel normal.
But the credit card debt added up fast.
Soon I was living off it, watching the balance climb and telling myself I’d figure it out later.
What I’ve learned:
Debt itself isn’t bad. Avoiding it is.
It doesn’t go away just because you ignore it.
Even a messy plan is better than shame and silence.
Talking About Money Isn’t Rude—It’s Survival
Growing up, my mom actually did teach us about money—but mostly through work.
When I wanted the trendy shoes or bags the other kids had, she’d say, “If you want it, you have to work for it.”
So I did.
I tutored through high school, worked through college, and learned how to earn—and respect—money early on.
But we didn’t talk about how to grow it.
Not about saving, or investing, or negotiating a salary.
Looking back, I don’t think my mom ever felt confident in those areas either—and I get it.
If no one taught her, how could she pass it on?
Later in my career, I saw younger coworkers doing what I never learned to:
Asking questions. Pushing for more. Advocating for themselves.
Not because they were greedy—because they understood their worth.
What I wish I’d known:
Talking about money isn’t awkward.
It’s necessary—if you want to build a life that works for you.
Final Thoughts: Learning Now Beats Regretting Later
Would it have been easier if I’d learned all this earlier? Definitely.
Would I be richer by now? Most likely.
But here’s what I’ve come to realize:
It’s not too late. It never is.
Getting good with money isn’t some secret skill you need a fancy degree for.
It’s just a bunch of small choices you start making differently—one at a time.
And every step forward means a little less stress, a little more freedom.
That’s why we’re building SIMMER.
Learn money. Create freedom.
No guilt. No jargon. No “you should’ve known this already” energy.
Just the stuff we all deserved to learn a long time ago.
Feeling a little more in control already? Good. Keep going.
Join the SIMMER waitlist and let’s figure this out—together.
