“Teens, Money, and the Great Delusion”

When I first put together the list of the 15 parts of the Teen Series “Generation Why Tho?” Manifestation was a topic. How our teens are out here whispering wishes to the moon and journaling like the Universe is Amazon Prime. But then I got to thinking? Manifestation with crystals and chanting our desires to the stars isn’t our style. We know that it’s God providing for us, and that when we work hard, we reap what we sow. Which leads me to my next point – while they’re innocently enough imagining and planning their “dream life,” guess who’s expected to fund it in the meantime? That’s right—me. Us. Which brings us to today’s topic: the harsh little clash between teenage delusion and parental budgeting. Because while they’re out here claiming “abundance,” I’m out here budgeting for bills, groceries, and eventually… car insurance.

Let’s set the scene:
I’m at the mall, walking ten steps behind my daughter like her assistant. She’s holding a $72 hoodie that looks like it barely survived a house fire. (She knows that I am NOT the mom normally buying the $72 hoodie, except maybe for Christmas, but I do have a spot in my heart that remembers my mom not being able to afford nice stuff for me when I wanted it so badly, just to fit in, so I WANT to buy it, it’s just a matter of if I CAN at this exact moment). She says, with full confidence:

“Momma, I need this. It’s such a vibe. It’s soo WORTH IT.” (my heart hurts a tiny bit)

And I—me, the woman who just moved two bill due dates around like a shell game—am supposed to feel what, inspired? Trust me, I want to find the “yes”, it just may not exist today.

“MOM, JUST USE YOUR CARD.”

Oh sweet child of mine, my debit card is not a wand. And the fact I have a stack of plastic things in my wallet? Those don’t count either. Mama is trying to be good. We have a future to plan.
They are not dipped in platinum and blessed by the AMEX Fairy. They do not generate funds because your serotonin said so.

When my daughter wants something, I usually get this:

“You always say we don’t have money but we go out to eat.”
“It’s only $40.”
“It’s not even that expensive.”

And here’s what I want to say back:

“Do you know what a mortgage is?”
“Have you ever met a utility bill?”
“Do you understand taxes? No? Thought so.”

MEGA-RICH MOM CULTURE VS. THE REST OF US

Let’s talk about it. There are teen girls whose families have vacation homes in foreign lands, custom closet build outs in their aesthetically perfect bedroom suites, & Stanley cup colorways that haven’t even been released yet.

And good for them! No hate. Really.

But when your daughter sees their daughter getting dropped off in a G-Wagon, rocking $400 Golden Goose sneakers that look like she lost a fight with a gravel driveway, suddenly you’re the villain because her Converse are “not the vibe.”

It’s exhausting. Literally. Mentally and sometimes even physically. Trying to keep up.

We are not struggling, but we are also not reckless.

We are planning for our very uncertain future.
I could buy you that overpriced thing.
But then the lights don’t get paid until Thursday.

And that’s not called being broke.
That’s called priorities.

TEENAGERS + MONEY MATH = DELUSION

Here’s how my daughter’s brain works when it comes to money:

$7 iced coffee? An investment. “I need my energy for ELA testing”
$10 for sleepover snacks? “Too much. We can just get one bag, and an Alani”
$60 Stanley? “A need, not a want, Mom. I need to stay hydrated”
Saving for a future car and insurance? “That’s future me’s problem.”

We’ve started talking about the fact that she’s going to need gas money next year, and insurance won’t magically be “included.” And that both of those things are her responsibility.

Her response?

“Can’t you just, like… add me to your plan or something?”

Yes, baby. I can. And then I’ll just “add” a second job too.

She’s walking through life like a financial trust fall—and I’m the net, the mat, the coach, and the guy sweeping the chalk dust off the floor.

REAL TALK, WITH A LITTLE FAITH SPRINKLED IN

Listen, I’m trying to raise a daughter who doesn’t worship money, but also doesn’t grow up and confuse being financially clueless with being “manifestation-minded.”
There’s a difference between believing for blessings and budgeting like you mean it.

God provides. I believe that.
But He also gave me discernment and AutoPay reminders.

And while she’s out here thinking I’m just “being cheap,”
I’m out here managing a household, honoring my tithe, making it work.
It’s called stewardship.
It’s called reality.

FINAL THOUGHTS: I’M NOT POOR. I’M PARENTING.

So no, baby girl.
We’re not struggling.
We’re not deprived.
But we are living in this thing called real life—where purchases come with trade-offs, where value means more than vibes, and where sometimes?
You’re gonna have to hear “no.”

And if that ruins your day?
Good. Now you know what it’s like to check the bank app after bills are due.

I may not have it like those moms, but I’ve got you, a roof over our heads, and my gold hoops still on.
That’s wealth, baby.

“No, I’m Not Poor. I Just Have Bills, Baby