Why Most Financial Advice is Garbage (Do This Instead)

Let’s be honest—most financial advice floating around the internet or handed down at family dinners is… garbage.

“Skip the latte.”
“Just buy real estate.”
“Put everything in index funds and forget about it.”
“Work hard and save.”

While these snippets might contain a grain of truth, they’re often oversimplified, outdated, or completely irrelevant to your actual life. Worse, they can distract you from the real moves that build wealth and financial freedom.

So what’s wrong with most financial advice—and what should you do instead?

💸 The Problem With Mainstream Financial Advice

1. It’s Too Generic

Everyone’s situation is different—income, goals, risk tolerance, debt, lifestyle, values. Yet most advice is “one-size-fits-all.”

• A 22-year-old with student loans shouldn’t follow the same plan as a 50-year-old business owner.

• A single mom supporting a family can’t just “save 30% of your income.”

Instead: Build a financial plan that fits your life, not someone else’s spreadsheet.

2. It’s Fear-Based or Shame-Driven

A lot of advice is focused on cutting back, not building up.

• “Don’t buy coffee.”

• “Stop going out.”

• “You’re broke because you don’t budget.”

This creates guilt—not growth.

Instead: Focus on increasing your income, not just limiting expenses. A $10K raise beats a $10 budgeting app any day.

3. It Ignores the Psychology of Money

Money isn’t just math—it’s emotions, habits, and identity. Many people know what to do, but don’t do it because of fear, trauma, or limiting beliefs.

Instead: Work on your money mindset. Read books like The Psychology of Money or Your Money or Your Life. Reflect on your beliefs about wealth, success, and self-worth.

4. It’s Obsessed With Retirement—Not Freedom

Traditional advice is all about saving for a far-off future.

• “Save 10% for retirement.”

• “In 40 years, you’ll be a millionaire!”

Cool. But what if you want options before you’re 65? What if your goal is to work less, start a business, or travel in your 30s?

Instead: Think in terms of financial freedom—not just retirement. Build assets that give you choices sooner.

5. It Often Comes From People Who Aren’t Wealthy

Let’s be blunt: a lot of “money gurus” online make more from selling books and courses than from actual investing or business. Be cautious of advice from someone who’s never built what you’re trying to build.

Instead: Learn from people with real results. Study entrepreneurs, investors, and wealth builders who walk the walk.

✅ What To Do Instead: Real Financial Moves That Matter

Here’s a more effective, freedom-focused approach:

1. Increase Your Income

• Learn high-value skills (coding, copywriting, sales, design)

• Start freelancing or a side hustle

• Negotiate your salary

• Create something scalable (courses, products, services)

2. Build an Emergency Fund

• Aim for 3–6 months of expenses in a high-yield savings account

• Peace of mind = better decisions

3. Invest Intelligently

• Don’t follow hype (crypto, meme stocks) blindly

• Learn how investing works: stocks, ETFs, real estate, business

• Use tax-advantaged accounts (IRA, 401(k), etc.)

4. Automate Smart Habits

• Automatic savings & investing

• Set recurring financial check-ins

• Track net worth monthly (even if it’s negative at first)

5. Build Assets That Pay You

• Start a business

• Buy rental properties

• Create digital products

• Invest in dividend-paying stocks

💬 Final Thought

Most financial advice is focused on not losing money. But real wealth is built by playing offense—not just defense.

So skip the guilt about your coffee. Instead, focus on skills, strategy, and systems that actually move the needle.

Money isn’t just about saving—it’s about freedom.