Financial Advice I Wish I Knew Back in Sicily

by Henrik Bacilieri

Sometimes I wonder how different life would be if I had known even basic financial principles back when I was growing up in Sicily.

We didn’t talk about money much.
We just worked, paid bills, and hoped for the best.

No shame in that—but now that I’ve started learning, I can’t help but think:

“Why didn’t anyone tell me this earlier?”

Here are five pieces of financial advice I wish someone had shared with me when I was younger.

1. It’s Not How Much You Make—It’s How Much You Keep

Back then, I thought money problems would disappear if I just earned more.

Now I know: even high earners go broke if they spend everything.

It’s your habits, not your income, that make the biggest difference.

2. Start Saving Before You Think You Can

I used to wait until “things got better.”
Guess what? That moment never magically arrives.

Saving $5 a week is better than waiting to save $100 later.

3. Debt Isn’t Normal—It’s a Trap

In Sicily, loans were common—especially for things like phones, cars, even vacations.

But no one taught us the cost of interest or the stress of being chained to payments.

Avoiding debt is like giving your future self a gift they didn’t expect.

4. Track Your Money or It Will Disappear

If you don’t tell your money where to go, it will vanish into random snacks, subscriptions, and small leaks.

When I started tracking, I finally felt in control for the first time in my life.

5. Learn the Language of Wealth

Stocks, assets, interest, investing, compounding…
These words used to sound like another language. Now I realize:

Wealthy people talk about money differently because they understand it.

I wish I had started learning the vocabulary earlier.
But I’m making up for lost time now.

Henrik Bacilieri

🗓️ February 19, 2016

When Budgeting Feels Boring—Here’s How I Stay Motivated

by Henrik Bacilieri

Let me be honest with you:
Budgeting isn’t always exciting.

In fact, there are days where it feels repetitive, annoying, and just plain boring.

No spending sprees. No surprises. No dopamine hits.
Just spreadsheets and restraint.

So how do I keep going?

🧭 1. I Tie Every Number to a Vision

It’s not about saving $40—it’s about what that $40 represents:

  • Future freedom

  • Fewer regrets

  • Options I didn’t have before

I literally have a sticky note on my desk that says:

“Financial peace by 40. Queen. Kids. No stress.”

That’s why I track every dollar. That’s why I budget.
It’s not about the numbers—it’s about the life.

🎮 2. I Turn It Into a Game

Instead of dreading budgeting, I challenge myself:

  • Can I spend less than last week?

  • Can I cook 5 meals at home this week?

  • Can I stretch a $10 grocery run for 3 days?

Gamifying it keeps me mentally engaged.
And every “win” fuels momentum.

🔁 3. I Let It Evolve

If a part of my budget stops working, I change it.

Budgeting isn’t a punishment—it’s a plan.
And plans are meant to adjust.

If I want to save more for books and less for restaurants, I tweak.
That flexibility keeps me sane.

Boring doesn’t mean broken.
In fact, it usually means something good is working.

The best part?
Eventually, the discipline pays off—and boring becomes beautiful.

Henrik Bacilieri

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