Money Is Not the Boogeyman: A Simple Guide to Taking Charge of Your Financial Life

Learning to manage your money is a journey. Start with simple, safe steps to gain confidence and build a secure financial future.

Scared about money? Learn once and for all how to manage your finances simply and safely. See how to avoid common mistakes and make your money grow for the future, even starting from scratch.

(Introduction: Taking care of your money )

Imagine a time without the internet. Without cell phones. Without Google. To find out anything, you needed thick books or to ask an "expert." That's how the father of a good friend of mine started his life.

He was an engineer, earning a good living, but no one had told him how to save money for the future. One day, an insurance salesman knocked on his door. It seemed like the perfect solution: life insurance that also saved money. He signed up. That was the first time he'd considered investing... and he was already 50 years old!

Later, he attended a very expensive seminar and discovered that ordinary people, like himself, could also invest in the stock market. The solution presented was mutual funds. Courageously (and somewhat hastily), he made a risky decision: he borrowed money using his grandparents' house as collateral and invested it all in these funds.

Shortly after, a major global crisis hit, the market plummeted, and his money dwindled. His family needed cash, and he, inexperienced and frightened, sold everything, took a huge loss, and was left with a huge debt.

The question remains: how could he have done things differently? The answer is: with the right information, at the right time.

His story isn't uncommon. Many people go through this. But the good news is that the world has changed! Today, you can be the best manager of your own money. And I'll show you why and how , in a way you'll never forget.

The new generation of investors: with free information and accessible tools, anyone can learn to manage their money with confidence and security.

Why Your Father Was Wrong (And How You Can Make It Right)

In your father's time, knowledge about money was closely guarded. Only the very wealthy or the "gurus" who charged a lot seemed to understand. People blindly trusted professionals, who didn't always give the best advice.

This leads us to questions you may also have:

• Where do I start organizing my finances?

• Who can I trust for advice?

• How can I invest without losing everything, but making my money grow for retirement?

• Is it possible not to do something stupid?

The answer to the last question is a resounding YES! And it's possible because today we have three superpowers

der 1: Information is Free and in the Palm of Your Hand

Think about it: when you don't know how to do a math problem, where do you look? YouTube. When you want to learn how to change a light bulb, where do you go? YouTube.

Now, imagine learning about money with the same ease!

In 2008, during a major financial crisis, I was alone. Scared, watching TV, with no one to explain what was happening or to calm me down. There were no online communities or blogs to read.

Now, let's move on to 2020. Another crisis, Covid. The market fell very quickly. Do you know what happened? Unlike in 2008, a new generation of young investors didn't panic. They used the internet! I even recorded a video explaining why it wasn't time to be afraid. Over 400,000 people viewed that video.

Around that time, my online financial literacy community grew stronger. We went live to talk to everyone. And the incredible thing happened: instead of selling, young people bought . They saw the decline as an opportunity to buy good things at a lower price.

The Big Shift: Free information replaced expensive seminars. Online communities replaced solitary "gurus."

Two incredible examples of the power of free education:

1. A video of a teacher teaching fractions to children: 2.6 million views.

2. A video we made explaining "How the Stock Market Works": 2 million views.

Today, you can be listening to music on Spotify and, with a tap, switch to a podcast that teaches you everything about finance. Knowledge has left the cave and gone into your headphones. Learning about money has never been easier.

Superpower 2: You Can Learn From Other People's Mistakes (Without Making Them Yourself)

Knowledge is good, but applied knowledge is power.

I told you my father's story. By sharing his mistake of investing with borrowed money, thousands of people now know that this is a huge risk.

And it's not just me. Hundreds of thousands of people share their real stories, experiences, and case studies openly on platforms like:

• YouTube (with videos and testimonials)

• Reddit (with discussion communities)

• Blogs and Newsletters (with in-depth texts)

• Discord (with real-time chats)

This means you can take a free course on "what not to do" with money, based on real mistakes made by real people. You don't need to burn your hand to know that fire is hot. Just see other people's burned hands.

Superpower 3: Everything Just Got Much, Much Cheaper

In the past, my friend's father had to go to a physical fund store and pay a huge commission, which could have cost him a used car!

When I started investing, things were already better: I was paying 20 euros per purchase order.

And today? Today it's almost free. You can start investing and gain experience with a tiny budget, like 50 or 100 reais per month.

And it's not just brokerage fees that have become cheaper. Better, cheaper products have emerged: ETFs ( Traded Funds).

For those who know me, ETFs are my favorite financial products. They were created for professional managers at large banks who don't buy into the bullshit and just want the essentials: low cost and efficiency. And this marvel is now available to us!

Participating in the financial market has never been so accessible, transparent and social .

You don't need to be an expert to get started: the journey to financial independence begins with small steps, clear information, and a good, low-risk strategy.

How Not to Make a Mistake: Your 4 Golden Rules

Now that you know WHY you can do it, let's see HOW . There are four simple but powerful rules.

Rule 1: Learn the Basics (It's Easier Than You Think!)

You don't need to be an expert. You just need to know enough for your situation.

• If you're young and want to make your money grow: Learn how to invest in the stock market to beat inflation. The key words here are: diversification (don't put all your eggs in one basket) and low costs .

• If you dream of owning your own home: Learn how to save money for your nest egg and, most importantly, how to avoid financing pitfalls.

• If you're in debt: Learn how to create a sustainable budget to pay off your debt and never have to borrow again.

The more you learn, the less chance you have of making mistakes.

Rule 2: Follow the Money (Who Benefits From This?)

In the world of finance, conflicts of interest are everywhere. Always ask, "Who benefits from this decision?"

• A financial advisor who offers you a "free check-up" has a huge incentive to sell the company's product, even if you don't need it.

• A bank advisor won't advise you on the best ETF on the market, because they can only sell products that their bank allows.

• The property manager who lends you money for the property has no incentive to tell you that your dream home is too big for your budget.

Always follow the money. It's the best way to find honest advice.

Rule 3: Be Wary (Be Wary of "Miracle" Offers)

Have you ever heard of a "revolutionary", "once in a lifetime" opportunity that is risk-free, high-reward, inflation-protected, and tax-free?

(Laughter) This product doesn't exist outside the world of marketing.

What if you hear about a fancy blockchain startup that's going to "democratize finance"? Beware! "Democratize" often just means "give easy access to everyone."

Ask: "Access to what?"

• "Buy Now, Pay Later" companies give you easy access to consumer credit at checkout. Do you really need easier access to debt?

• Brightly colored apps that let you trade stocks without fees, like a game. This usually only benefits the brokerage, as over 80% of small investors lose money. The more you trade, the more the brokerage earns and the more you risk losing.

Don't get me wrong. Innovation is good, but in Europe and Brazil, be careful: often, the innovation isn't in the product itself, but in the marketing strategy to get you to buy something that isn't good for you.

Rule 4: Don't Be Afraid to Fail (Start Small and Safe)

If there's one guarantee in life, it's this: you won't get it right the first time.

This applies to learning to ride a bike, a baby taking its first steps, and your finances. What makes the difference is putting knowledge into practice.

The golden tip is: if you're scared, reduce your budget.

• Afraid to invest 5,000 reais in the stock market? That's okay, it's normal!

• Start with 100 reais. Or with a monthly investment plan of 50 reais. The experience of seeing your money work, even if it's just a little, is the best teacher you can have.

(Conclusion)

Taking control of your finances can be one of the most impactful decisions you'll ever make. Of course, it comes with risks, like everything in life.

But today, unlike my father's time, the landscape is shaped by vast resources, abundant knowledge, and supportive communities . You are not alone.

You have the power of free information, the collective wisdom of millions of people, and inexpensive tools to get you started.

Now it's up to you. Start small, learn a little each day, be wary of "miracle opportunities," and, above all, believe that you are capable of being the best manager of your own money.

The future of your finances will thank you.