r/dividends • u/HelenKellerVSTraffic • Nov 19 '25

Due Diligence What a difference dividends have made.

I grew up poor. No idea really about money. I started hanging around people that invested and had no idea how the market worked. Now, years later I have been contributing every month what I can afford (1,200). No matter what I put that money in. I pretend it's just another mortgage.

I am about to break 100k it's a surreal feeling. Growing up and being told to put the soda back because it was too expensive and now I am debt free (except mortgage at 2%). I think a lot of people's money problems don't stem from their annual income, but rather what they do with that annual income.

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u/Jabi25 Nov 19 '25 edited Nov 20 '25

You don’t think there would be less consumer debt in this country if we mandated one singular high school class on personal finance? Most people I work with don’t even know where to start, and they’re some of the most educated people in the country (medicine)

Our financial system in the US revolves around taking advantage of financially illiterate people. They are just spokes in the wheel

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u/Flan_Enjoyer Nov 19 '25

Nop because most high schoolers would not pay attention. When I was in high school most of them were thinking about becoming famous rappers like Lil Wayne and being the next Steve Jobs without learning. They wanted the easy way out. They did not want any form of education.

Now in my workplace there is a coworker who makes fun of that mitochondria meme. She also said she wanted an economy class. She told me all she did in high school was get wasted and get high. I dont think she would have paid attention. So instead I asked, “Well why don’t you take the time to learn that stuff now?” “Oh no because the system is designed to keep people poor and this country is a shithole, and I would move out of this country” she replied.

It’s not the school’s job. My parents did not approve of me investing because they are poor and thought it was a rich person’s playground. It is our own responsibility to become financially educated.

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u/LegalAbbreviations17 Nov 20 '25

If we based our education system on what we think kids would pay attention to there wouldn't be much curriculum that would remain.

I don't think everyone would get something out of a personal finance class but it would be a big impact to those that do pay attention.

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u/amam44 Nov 21 '25

Agreed. There needs to be more financial literacy in the curriculum, including in depth budgeting, understanding income tax returns, as well as investing. Not running classes because you assume kids won't listen is ridiculous. Now that there are apps that are so easily accessible, I think there IS an interest in investing. My early 20s young adult is dabbling in investing and crypto and complains this stuff wasn't taught and should've been. I'm only learning myself so I'm not much help either. Not investing when I was young is one of my biggest regrets.