Rewrite the Story. Take Back the Pen.
At birth, I knew nothing about financial literacy.
None of us do.
I grew up in one household from my youth — the son of a carpenter and an IBEW worker. My mother was an artist: basketry, painting, childcare — a ray of sunshine to those around her. She created beauty. My father built things with his hands and earned an honest living.
They worked hard.
But there was no strategic financial plan. No excess. Money was earned and spent. Bills were paid. Life moved forward. There was dignity in the work — but no framework for compounding, ownership, or long-term investing.
And yet, one generation further back, the story was different.
My great grandparents represented a blend of business ownership, investment banking before it was even a formal job title, and engineering design. They built, invested, calculated, and structured. There was enterprise. There was strategy.
As a young person, I heard those stories. They felt like legends — a mirage of what could be. Success existed somewhere in the family tree, but I didn’t understand the mechanics of how it worked. I didn’t understand why it wasn’t happening in my immediate environment.
That gap matters.
When you grow up around earning without investing, spending without strategy, and surviving without a long-term plan, you internalize a model.
You learn to:
- Work hard and get paid.
- Upgrade vehicles regularly because that’s what adults do.
- Finance furniture because comfort feels immediate.
- Carry debt because it’s common.
- Sit in a money market account because “at least it’s designed to preserve capital.”
- Avoid investing because it feels risky.
You’re not careless.
You’re patterned.
And patterns feel normal until you question them.
Meanwhile, the world compounds.
Stocks appreciate.
Businesses grow.
Real estate produces income.
Inflation quietly erodes idle cash.
If all you know is earning to survive, you rarely shift into owning to thrive.
That shift begins with belief.
Many people carry invisible limiting beliefs:
“People like us don’t build wealth.”
“I’m not good with money.”
“I’m just not wired for investing.”
“I’ll figure it out later.”
Add to that the negative financial influences we all encounter:
- A friend who says the market is rigged.
- A relative trading off a newsletter.
- A coworker who equates spending with success.
- A social circle that normalizes debt.
- Someone who had one lucky trade and now preaches certainty.
Those voices become your internal board of directors.
If you don’t intentionally choose your board, it gets assembled by default.
Here is the empowering truth: financial literacy is learned.
I sought information. I read. (A lot). Attending the workshops and taking the courses. Made early investment mistakes and started small businesses along the way. I asked questions. I placed myself around people who understood investment ownership, asset allocation, compounding, and emotional discipline during volatility. They broke it down simply.
One dollar can become ten.
Ownership beats consumption.
Debt can be a tool or a trap.
Volatility is not the same as risk.
Time multiplies discipline.
Once those principles are understood, wealth stops being mysterious.
It becomes structured.
You are holding the pen.
The story of your upbringing explains your starting point. It does not dictate your destination.
If you are under 21 and reading this column, I will personally provide you with a copy of Rich Dad Poor Dad. That book reframes how young minds think about assets, liabilities, and ownership.
If you are over 21, I will provide you with a copy of The Millionaire Next Door. It is one of the most practical and grounding books ever written about how ordinary people quietly build extraordinary wealth.
Because sometimes all someone needs is a new voice on their board of directors.
If you have been blessed to care for children or family members, help them start writing earlier than you did. Teach them about ownership. Teach them about patience. Teach them about investing before consumption becomes their identity.
And if you are carrying mental criticisms from earlier chapters — burn them.
Burn the belief that you’re behind.
Burn the belief that wealth is for someone else.
Burn the belief that your parents’ financial habits must become yours.
The rearview mirror is informational, not directional.
You are not late.
You are not disqualified.
You are not incapable.
You are in control.
Rebuild your board of directors.
Seek mentors.
Gain professional advice.
Choose ownership.
Practice discipline.
Write intentionally.
The mirage becomes real when you understand the mechanics behind it.
You are holding the pen.
From here forward, write boldly.
Evan R. Guido, Senior Wealth Advisor, is the Founder of Aksala Wealth Advisors LLC, a 2026 Forbes Best in State Wealth Advisor, a 2018 Forbes Top Next-Gen Advisors award recipient. Evan heads a team of financial strategists for clients who consider themselves the “Millionaire Next Door.” He can be reached at 941-500-5122 Aksala.com eguido@aksalawealth.com 6260 Lake Osprey Dr. Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240. Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. The views and opinions presented in this article are those of Evan R. Guido and not of Cetera or its subsidiaries. These opinions are based on Evan’s observations and research and are not intended to predict or depict performance of any investment. These views are subject to change based on subsequent developments. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. These views should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any securities and purely for education and entertainment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The Top Next Gen list includes 250 rising advisors who help manage over $490 billion in client assets. Each advisor was nominated by their firm, then vetted and ranked by SHOOK Research. The rankings, developed by SHOOK Research, are based on an algorithm of qualitative criterion, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors who are considered have a minimum of four years' experience and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass the highest standards of best practices. The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative data, rating thousands of wealth advisors with a minimum of seven years' experience and weighing factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience, and best practices learned through telephone and in-person interviews. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. Listings in these publications and/or awards are not guarantees of future investment success. These recognitions should not be construed as endorsements of the advisor by any clients. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using these third-party ratings or award. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful.