There’s no shame in not knowing.

Gang, the financial fitness journey is challenging enough. The combination of mentality and behavior change alone can is new for many of us. And the consistency and diligence required to build wealth is a marathon all on its own.

Let’s not add shame to the mix.

If you’re someone who’s embarrassed that they don’t understand how credit card debt works, yet you have tons of it, let go of that shame now.

If you’re someone who has a mortgage, and you’re embarrassed because you don’t understand how escrow works or if you’re still paying PMI (private mortgage insurance), let go of that shame now.

If you pay for any kind of insurance – health, automobile, etc – and you’re embarrassed to admit that you don’t understand how deductibles or premiums work, let go of that shame now.

And so on and so forth.

Why? Because shame is unproductive when it holds you back from admitting – and therefore learning about – the things you don’t know about money. Enlightenment and change can only come when we’re curious to understand how money works, why our money situation is the way that it is, and how we can make it better.

Growth can only come when we’re willing to admit the things we don’t know. Let’s swap out that shame for curiosity and move along.