When I was in grade six, we had the option between choosing an English path, or Bilingual for high school.

I opted for English, because at the idea of having to attend a math class in French sounded absolutely awful to me. I remember my grade six teacher asking me to step outside when she read my application papers.

Imagine me, people pleasing, teacher’s pet Yasmeen being called outside to talk to the teacher. Anxiety was high.

“Having French will help you get a better job, and you will have so many opportunities, you will make more money and have a nice house!”

For a twelve year old that was simple enough.

Good grades = Good job = More money = Rich!

Throughout my school experience this idea was repeated again, and again, and again.

Well, here is what they did not consider:

When you are not given the privilege of financial literacy, more money does not necessarily give you an easier life.

What this belief actually does, is set us up for disappointment, financial avoidance, and shame.

Because once we get the good job, and our financial situation hasn’t drastically changed – we blame ourselves.

Here is the truth:

Without financial awareness, most of us actually follow the exact same money patterns as our parents or even grandparents – no matter how much money we have, or don’t have.

In college, most of my friends had parents and grandparents who had made lots of money in the stock market. They were optimistic about banking, stocks and confident in their own ability to achieve the same results.

I on the other hand, spent most of my childhood hearing that we are so fortunate not to be living in poverty, that rich people are inherently greedy (and definitely not religious) and that the only way for me to be accepted is by getting a prestigious job.

It’s no surprise, that even if I had the exact same job as my peers in college, we would have drastically different financial habits.

Yet so many of us blame our own actions for our financial situation, without considering where they may have come from.

It’s only as I moved through my career at the bank, that I recognized is that wealth accumulation had very little to do with income – and much more to do with our environment, the stories our families tell us about money and the emotions we attach to it.

When I learned this, I was so upset that nobody was talking about this unfair advantage so many people around me had been given.

And then I realized.

I didn’t need a higher paying job to be financially free. I didn’t need to go back to school and do an MBA, or get my Masters degree.

I just needed to learn how to manage money.

And I did.

I was the first person in my family to buy a rental property. I was the first one to understand investing and strategically building wealth.

And there is nothing stopping you from being that person in your family.

We cannot change the stories we were taught about money growing up and we cannot change the financial experiences of our parents and grandparents.

We can become aware of our own money beliefs, and we have the power to change them.

And here is how:

Ask yourself these questions:

1. What were my earliest experiences or memories related to money and finances? How might these experiences influence my current beliefs about money?

2. What messages about money and wealth did I receive from my family, friends, or society while growing up? How have these messages shaped my beliefs about what is possible for me financially?

3. How do I feel when I think about wealth or financial success? Do I experience any feelings of guilt, fear, or unworthiness? If so, where do these feelings come from?

4. What stories do I tell myself about money and success? Are these stories empowering or limiting? How do they impact my actions and decisions related to finances?

Take Action to Overcome these Barriers:

Set Clear Goals and Priorities: Define your financial goals and priorities based on your values, aspirations, and long-term vision for success.

Invest in Education: Continuously invest in your education, skill development, and personal growth to expand your opportunities and capabilities.

Expand Your Network: Surround yourself with diverse and supportive networks that challenge and inspire you to reach new levels of success.

Seek Mentorship and Guidance: Find mentors and role models who have achieved the level of success you aspire to and learn from their experiences and insights.

Challenge Limiting Beliefs: Identify and challenge self-limiting beliefs that may be holding you back from pursuing your full potential and take proactive steps to cultivate a growth mindset.

While our finances are influenced by social, economic, and psychological factors, we have the power to overcome these barriers and create our own path to financial independence and success.

By recognizing and addressing the underlying challenges, setting clear goals, and taking proactive steps to pursue growth, you have the power to change your finances in a powerful way and pave a new path for those who follow.