Why do some people fear spending while others overspend without thinking? The answer often begins in childhood – and the good news is, habits can change.
Have you ever wondered why some people fear spending money while others spend it without even thinking twice? The truth is, most of our money habits actually begin in childhood.
Today we are talking about something not many people think about: how our childhood experiences influence our relationship with money as adults. Understanding this is the first step to building healthier habits and lasting wealth.
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As children, we grow up watching how the adults around us spend, save and think about money. We absorb their words and their behaviour long before we ever earn a shilling of our own.
Some people grow up hearing messages like:
Others grow up seeing budgeting, saving, investing, and financial stability modelled in front of them every day. And without realising it, those early experiences – good or bad – follow us all the way into adulthood.
Let us look at a few common examples of how those early lessons play out later in life:
Someone who grew up around financial stress may fear saving money, avoid investing, or feel tense whenever their balance drops. Money feels like a source of anxiety rather than a tool.
Someone who lacked things as a child may overspend later in life – because buying things feels emotionally rewarding. The purchase is not really about the item; it is about the feeling it brings.
And if nobody ever taught them financial discipline, they may struggle with budgeting, planning ahead, or saving as adults – not because they are careless, but because the skill was never modelled for them.
Here is what you most need to hear: just because you grew up around unhealthy financial habits does not mean your future is doomed.
You can learn better saving habits, smarter investing, financial discipline, and healthier money mindsets. Old patterns are not a life sentence – they are simply patterns, and patterns can be rewritten.
Remember: wealth building is not just about income. It is also about a person's behaviour and mindset.
Awareness is the first step. Honestly ask yourself:
You cannot change what you do not notice. Naming your triggers is where the shift begins.
You do not have to master everything at once. Build your knowledge gradually – one area at a time:
Everyone's financial journey started differently. Comparing your chapter one to someone else's chapter twenty only breeds discouragement. Focus on your own progress, one step at a time.
Remember: sometimes financial struggle is not about laziness or lack of ambition. It is simply the unhealthy money habits we picked up while growing up – and the good news is, those habits can be changed and wealth can be built step by step.
Many of these habits keep people stuck without them realising it. For a closer look at the patterns that hold us back, read why most Kenyans stay broke (and how to escape).
| Childhood Experience | Adult Money Habit | Healthier Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Grew up with financial stress | Fear of saving or investing | Start small, automate saving |
| Lacked things growing up | Emotional overspending | Notice spending triggers |
| No financial discipline taught | Struggles with budgeting | Learn one skill at a time |
| "We can't afford that" mindset | Scarcity thinking | Build an abundance, growth mindset |
| Compared to wealthier peers | Discouragement & pressure | Focus on your own journey |
At Buildyourwealth, we help Kenyans understand their money mindset, break unhealthy habits, and build practical, personalised plans for saving, investing and lasting wealth – no matter where you started.
You may have carried some money habits from childhood – but you do not have to live with them in adulthood.
With awareness, patience and the willingness to learn, you can build healthier habits and a stronger financial future. Money habits can be changed, and wealth can be built step by step.
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Disclaimer: This article is for general financial education and money mindset purposes only and does not constitute personalised financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial consultant before making financial decisions. All information is current as of June 2026.
Linda Jerono is a CPA Finalist and financial coach with a Master's degree in Accounting & Finance. She specializes in personal wealth management and financial education for Kenyans. With years of experience helping individuals, couples, and businesses navigate money management, Linda combines practical expertise with a passion for demystifying finance and empowering people to build sustainable wealth.
Build Your Wealth is a financial coaching platform founded by Linda Jerono to help everyday Kenyans master money management, invest wisely, and build lasting legacies. We offer personalized one-on-one coaching, practical financial guides, and educational resources covering budgeting, debt management, investing, retirement planning, and business finance—all tailored to the Kenyan context.
Most money habits begin in childhood. As children we watch how the adults around us spend, save and talk about money, and we absorb beliefs like "money is hard to get" or "we cannot afford that" — or healthier ones like budgeting, saving and investing. Without realising it, those early experiences follow us into adulthood and shape how we spend, save and invest.
Yes. Growing up around unhealthy financial habits does not doom your future. You can learn better saving habits, smarter investing, financial discipline and healthier money mindsets. Wealth building is not only about income — it is also about behaviour and mindset, and both can be improved step by step.