Let’s face it: numbers never were everyone’s best friend. As kids, we often assumed that if we just got through those math quizzes, we could leave percentages and fractions behind. Spoiler alert: adulting isn’t that generous. As it turns out, financial literacy, understanding personal finance, and smart money management are essential life skills—ones that many of us didn’t master in school. If someone had told me back then how crucial it would become, I might have paid more attention. Fast forward to my 30s, and I'm still learning the ropes of managing finances with the guidance of accumulated experience, a few mishaps, and a sprinkle of wisdom.