You make money choices every day—what to buy, what to save, what to ignore.

On the surface, these seem like adult decisions. But here’s the surprising truth: many of your financial habits were shaped long before you opened your first bank account.

Childhood beliefs about money often live deep beneath the surface, quietly steering your financial life today.

Have you heard someone say, “I hate math”? 

What does that mean? Perhaps, “I feel bad when I do math, so math is bad.”

I’ve heard a similar sentiment about money. 

• “I hate dealing with money.”

• “I’m not a numbers person.”

• “Thankfully, my partner handles our finances. It’s not my thing.”