Everyone has a financial story. For many of us, it feels like it begins with a single, pivotal moment—a wake-up call after a string of bad choices, or maybe a small victory that makes us realize we can actually get ahead.

The truth is, though, our financial stories start much earlier. They often begin in childhood, shaped by the conversations we overhear and the lessons we learn without even realizing it.

My First Financial Lesson

Like some of you, I grew up in a home where money was a constant source of stress. In a way, I think that’s how I became fascinated with finance in the first place. We didn’t have much, so every dollar I earned felt incredibly important. It represented a little piece of security in an insecure world.

I was that kid, always looking for an odd job—what we’d now call a “side hustle.” I wasn’t trying to buy fancy toys; I just liked the feeling of having something that was mine. I’d sometimes get bored and just count my money for fun. I’ll never forget the day I told my parents I needed to open a savings account because I had “too much money.” I think they thought I was exaggerating, until I sat on the floor and counted out over $100 right in front of them. For a kid from a family like ours in the 1980s, that was a small fortune.

That need for security became even more real around age 11. I’d hear my parents arguing about money—a story that’s still painfully common for so many families. Eventually, the financial strain led to divorce, and our family split up.

It was a painful moment, but looking back, I think that is when my lifelong financial journey truly began. My deep drive to understand how money worked started there, fueled by the desire to never feel that powerless again.

From a Paper Route to a Profession

Fueled by that drive, I got my first real “job” as a paperboy. Two years later, I added a second route so I could make twice the money. I rode my $10 yard-sale bike so much delivering those papers that one day, the handlebars rusted completely through, came off in my hands, and I face-planted right into the street.

That bike taught me a lesson, though. It wasn’t about one big payday; it was about the power of showing up every single day.

With that same sense of purpose, I eventually did something my parents never had the chance to do: I went to college to study personal finance. My goal was to spend my career helping others find the security I craved as a kid. I spent years as a fully licensed financial advisor and wealth manager, learning the ins and outs of the industry.

Hi, I’m Tony, your Monthly Money Man, and my most valuable experience hasn’t come from an office. It’s come from being a stay-at-home dad, where I’ve focused on managing our family’s financial future and teaching my own kids these crucial lessons. During the pandemic, I even developed a complete financial literacy course for them during our homeschooling.

Now, I want to combine both of my worlds—my professional expertise and my real-world family experience—to help you. This blog is the result. It’s built on a simple, powerful idea I learned a long time ago: you get ahead one month at a time.

I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s get started.