If I could sit down with my 20-year-old self, these are the 5 money lessons I'd share – not from regret, but to help you think about money differently and earlier.
If I could sit down with my 20-year-old self and share a few money lessons, these are the things I would tell her. I recently turned 30 – and these are some of the lessons I've learned along the way.
This is not from a place of regret, or feeling that too much time has passed. It's the opposite: if a 20-year-old, or any younger person, comes across this, it can help them think about money differently than I once did.
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Most people think they have an income problem, when in reality they have a spending problem. I have seen people earning a big salary yet living paycheck to paycheck – and others earning a modest income who are steadily building wealth.
That tells us something important: wealth is not built by what you earn – it is built by what you keep and invest after earning. So I would tell her to make sure that, whatever her income, a fixed percentage always goes to saving and investing first. If you want a closer look at this trap, read why most Kenyans stay broke (and how to escape).
For many years I thought budgeting meant saying no to everything. Most of us see a budget as a tool that restricts us. But really, a budget simply tells your money where to go, instead of leaving you wondering where it went.
A simple framework like the 50/30/20 rule is a great place to start:
I wish I had embraced budgeting from a young age – I wouldn't have struggled to build the habit later in life. For a practical, sustainable approach, see our guide on budgeting made realistic.
Not all debt is bad debt – but unnecessary debt can slow down your wealth-building journey. Money used to repay debt is money that cannot be invested, saved, or used to create wealth.
So before borrowing, ask yourself one simple question: "Will this purchase still be worth paying for 6 months from now?" That gives you a clear sense of whether the debt is truly worth it.
One more tip: if you really must borrow, choose the lower-interest option. The higher the interest rate, the more you pay back. Learn how to climb out of debt and into investing in our debt to dividends wealth foundations guide.
This is a big myth. Most of us believe investing needs a lot of money and belongs to a rich, elite group. In reality, if you invest slowly and steadily – even with the little you have – you can build wealth.
What matters more is time, not the amount of money. Thanks to the power of compounding, starting early beats starting big. If the belief that you need a lot of money has been stopping you, let this be your reminder: you don't need a lot of money to invest – you need time.
Start where you are, with the little you have, and build it consistently. A money market fund is a great first step, and our article on how consistency builds real wealth shows exactly why this works.
Life happens. Medical bills appear, jobs change, you can be retrenched, cars break down. Having 3 to 6 months of expenses set aside gives you peace of mind and financial security – and that security is the foundation of financial freedom.
Remember: an emergency fund is not an investment – it is financial protection. The exact figure is relative to your needs, and everyone's number is different, but the goal is the same: a cushion that catches you when life throws the unexpected. A great place to keep it is somewhere safe and accessible, which is why we compare options in MMF vs SACCO vs shares.
| Lesson | The Takeaway | Do This |
|---|---|---|
| Habits over income | Wealth is what you keep, not what you earn | Save & invest a fixed % first |
| Budgeting is freedom | A budget directs your money | Try the 50/30/20 rule |
| Debt steals opportunity | Repayments can't build wealth | Ask: "worth it in 6 months?" |
| Investing is for everyone | Time beats the amount | Start small, stay consistent |
| Emergency funds matter | Protection, not investment | Build 3–6 months of expenses |
At Buildyourwealth, we help Kenyans turn these lessons into a real, personalised plan – building the right habits, a working budget, a healthy emergency fund, and a steady investment routine. The best time to start was at 20; the next best time is now.
If you're serious about building wealth, remember: it's not about getting rich quickly. It's about making smart financial decisions consistently.
You can't go back and teach your younger self these lessons – but you can act on them right now. Build the habit, budget with intention, borrow wisely, invest early, and protect yourself with an emergency fund.
I'm curious – what is one money lesson you learned the hard way? Share it in the comments. And if this helped, please subscribe to Build Your Wealth so we can keep building wealth the sustainable way, together.
We wish you well. See you in the next one.
Disclaimer: This article provides general financial education and should not be considered personalised investment advice. All investment decisions carry risk. Please consult a licensed financial consultant before making investment 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.
Your income matters, but your habits matter more. Wealth is not built by what you earn but by what you keep and invest after earning. Many high earners live paycheck to paycheck, while people on modest incomes build wealth steadily through good habits — so make sure a percentage of every income goes to saving and investing.
The 50/30/20 rule is a simple budgeting framework where 50% of your income goes to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings, investments and debt repayment. A budget is not a restriction — it simply tells your money where to go instead of you wondering where it went.