Hi 👋 friends,
Lately, I’ve been thinking about the difference between making quick money and building something that lasts. If I were to win the lottery today, would I even know how to use it to actually improve my life? And why is it that nearly one-third of lottery winners end up broke?
Having money and knowing how to use it are two completely different things. Entrepreneurs who’ve been through the ups and downs—making money, losing it, and then making it again - often build generational wealth. But those who come into quick money without financial knowledge or a clear sense of needs vs. wants tend to lose it just as quickly.
🔧 1. What’s Working for Me
Reframing money as a tool instead of a solution. Asking myself: Why do I want this? What would I actually do with it? The more I clarify the role money plays in my life, the easier it becomes to spend (and save) in a way that aligns with what I value.
🎧 2. What I’m Listening to / Reading
Two books that shaped my thinking on this: Rich Dad Poor Dad and The Psychology of Money. Both explore how mindset and behavior around money matter far more than the numbers themselves.
🌆 3. Life in the City
I’ve been noticing how people around me spend. Some prioritize experiences and self-development, others stretch for status symbols like cars and brands. It’s fascinating to see how different money philosophies play out in day-to-day city life.
💠4. Thought
If you talk to someone who’s built wealth from the ground up, they’ll tell you it’s a long game. Yet so many of us look for shortcuts - wanting results without the patience it takes to get there.
The irony? Most people who fantasize about winning the lottery don’t even buy a ticket. Not that I recommend it (statistically, you’re more likely to be struck by lightning). But it highlights something: we want outcomes without action.
That mindset often leaves us dissatisfied, when instead we could ask: What’s really holding me back?
What I’ve noticed is that entrepreneurs - those who do build lasting wealth - spend differently. They invest in self-development, education, and experiences that genuinely bring them joy. Compare that to lottery winners or those who inherit money without learning its value - spending big but often ending up empty.
Seeing money as scarce creates fear. Seeing it as a tool creates freedom.
👉 If you’re just starting out with personal finance, I made a video breaking down the basics - from mindset to first steps. You can watch it here.
I’d love to hear your perspective: what does money mean to you, and how satisfied are you with your relationship with it?
And as we build this community, I’d love to know what topics interest you most. What’s one thing you’re currently struggling with that, if solved, could have the biggest impact on your life?
Shermeen