This is not easy for me to write, but maybe someone here will understand.
I am the only daughter of my mother.
She raised me alone after her divorce, and life was nothing but hardship. I grew up in real poverty. There were days my mother would skip meals so I could eat. I walked to school with torn shoes, carrying a heart full of dreams and Prayer, but no money in my pocket.
For us, even earning $150 a month would have felt like striking gold. There was no financial knowledge, no savings, no safety net, just survival and prayer.
Fast forward to today⌠glory be to God, by the mercy of God, and by putting in the effort, I now make over $18,000/month from my business. Itâs more than my entire family would see in years.
But hereâs the truth Iâm scared to admit:
I donât know how to handle it.
Because I never had this kind of money before, I find myself spending without thinking. Shoes, gadgets, things I donât even need. I tell myself itâs ârewarding my hard work,â but in reality, it feels like a lack of discipline.
And then the guilt hits me.
I think of my motherâs sacrifices.
I think of the people still struggling in the same poverty I escaped.
Because deep down, I know if I donât learn to control this, I could lose everything as quickly as I gained it.
So I am asking, sincerely, for advice from this community:
For those who also came from nothing and suddenly had âmore than enough,â how did you learn to handle it?
How do you shift your mindset from survival mode to structure and discipline?
Are there books, mentors, or habits that helped you build a long-term vision instead of short-term spending?
I know God has blessed me beyond what I ever imagined, and I donât want to waste it. I want to honor my motherâs sacrifices, live with discipline, and build a future that pleases God.
Any advice, reminder, or resource you share might not just help me, but also others reading this who are facing the same struggle.
Thanks for your time and your kindness. đ¤˛