We’ve All Made Money Mistakes

Hey Simplifiers,

We’ve all done something financially... questionable. Whether it was swiping our credit card one too many times in college or “investing” in something that never paid off (shoutout to whoever spent $700 on Beanie Babies 😅), financial mistakes are more common than we like to admit.

A recent survey uncovered the top financial regrets Americans have—and some of them hit way too close to home:

• Falling into credit card debt

• Not saving enough for retirement

• Buying a car that was out of budget

• Helping family or friends to their own detriment

• Overspending in their younger years

• Selling investments too early

• Starting a business without a plan

• Getting married—or divorced—without thinking about finances

• Investing in something they didn’t understand

• Not having an emergency fund

And then there are the less serious (but still painful) regrets:

Why These Mistakes Are So Common

These regrets have one thing in common: they’re emotional. Most people don’t mess up their finances on purpose. They make choices from a place of hope, fear, pressure, or poor advice. In our 20s, we spend freely. In our 30s, we scramble to catch up. And in our 40s and beyond, we wish someone had told us sooner.

That’s why financial literacy matters—not just knowing what to do, but why it matters for your future.

If You’ve Made a Mistake (or 3)…

Here’s what to do:

✅ Forgive yourself – Seriously. Beating yourself up doesn’t help your money grow.
✅ Get clear on the numbers – Know exactly how much you owe, what your goals are, and where your money goes.
✅ Make a realistic plan – Whether it’s a debt payoff strategy or building savings, start with where you are.
✅ Learn from the Ls – Every mistake is a lesson in disguise. Use it.

Quick Tip: One way to avoid future mistakes is to slow down big financial decisions. If it can wait 24 hours (or 30 days), let it. Sometimes, time is all you need to think clearly.

💡 Want help turning mistakes into a plan? Download our Financial Freedom Guide for support you can actually use.

Let’s stop normalizing financial regrets—and start celebrating financial growth.

Till next time,
C
Founder, The Simple Adult