When I was 18, money felt like something I’d figure out “someday.” Budgeting seemed boring, credit cards felt like free money, and retirement planning? That was for people who owned houses and could fold fitted sheets. Fast forward a few decades, and I can see how much those early choices shaped my financial journey—and how much easier life would have been if I’d started planning sooner.
The truth is, most of us learn money lessons the hard way. We work, we save, we build, and only later do we realize that managing money is not just about paying bills. It’s about protecting your family, preserving your legacy, and making sure all that hard work doesn’t slip through the cracks. That’s where estate planning comes in.
Lessons I Wish I Had Learned Sooner
Looking back, here are four big lessons I wish I had figured out earlier:
- Budgeting isn’t punishment, it’s freedom. Knowing where your money goes means you stay in control. The same is true with estate planning. If you don’t create a plan, the courts will happily make one for you—and you may not love their version.
- Investing early makes all the difference. I used to think investing was for “rich people.” The real secret is starting small and starting early. Estate planning works the same way. The earlier you start, the more tools you have to protect your wealth from taxes and make sure it lasts.
- Debt isn’t evil, but it can derail you. At 18, swiping a credit card felt like a tiny miracle. Years later, I learned that not all debt is created equal. Estate planning works the same way—you need to know which debts your heirs might inherit and how to protect them from being blindsided.
- Invest in yourself. The best money you’ll ever spend is on building knowledge and skills. Estate planning is also an investment in yourself and your family. It ensures your values, goals, and legacy live on long after you.
Connecting the Dots to Estate Planning
Why does this matter now? Because the lessons we pick up over time are the same ones we pass on to our kids and grandkids. Without structure—through wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and real conversations—those lessons get lost, and so does the wealth. Estate planning is like giving your family the money lessons you wish you’d had at 18, but with the legal tools to protect them.
Don’t Wait to Feel Ready
If I could sum it all up: don’t wait until you feel “ready” to plan for the future. Just like saving or investing, estate planning works best when you start now.
At Voorhees Law Group, we help families turn life lessons—whether learned at 18 or 58—into estate plans that protect loved ones and preserve legacies. Ready to put the right lessons into action? Request a Consultation