Money Talks. So Should We. 💰

it's time to talk about the C Word.

Hi there,

Have you ever noticed that the things we need most to survive—like food and money—are the very things we develop the most complicated relationships with? Money isn’t just money. It’s access. It’s opportunity. It’s the quiet advantage shaping who gets to live where, pursue what careers, and take what risks.

A recent New York Magazine article exposed a not-so-secret truth: a lot of New Yorkers are quietly bankrolled by their parents. The Boomer wealth transfer is happening in real time, reshaping industries, cities, and entire lifestyles. But I would argue that this isn’t new or just a New York thing—it’s everywhere because this is not really about cost of living. It’s about the C word: CLASS.

There, I said it. In the U.S., we cling to the idea that anyone can make it if they just hustle hard enough, but the American Dream is way more complex than it seems.

Acknowledging privilege—whether it’s a parent paying your rent or a financial cushion that lets you take career risks—isn’t about feeling guilty or self-flagellation, though many make it that way. It’s about being earnest. Owning your financial reality—without apologies—helps paint a clearer picture of your life, separate from what your parents did or didn’t provide. Just like discussing financial struggles shouldn’t make you a victim or a failure. Not everyone starts from the same place. That’s not whining, that’s reality and it simply highlights that the system isn’t built the same for everyone. And when we are willing to talk about that, we may open the door for others to understand us, give us access, and resources (not handouts). But instead, we bury our heads in the sand refusing to admit we are nepo babies enjoying advantages others do not or point fingers at people more privileged than us as if they were responsible for all our problems. I believe the truth is somewhere in between. But how would we know for sure if we don’t openly talk about class or money?

And in this void, the financial silence—especially among women—is deafening. Many of us weren’t raised to talk about money, let alone manage it. Financial literacy wasn’t a given, and if you didn’t grow up with wealth—or access to those who understood it or talked about it—navigating savings, retirement, or investments is like speaking in a different language. And the truth is: the quieter we are, the more financially disempowered we become.

Lately, I’ve been trying to wrap my head around what it takes to fund a “retirement”, and it’s wild how little my friends and I talk about it. To me, retirement isn’t just about quitting work when you get old —it’s about sustaining a fulfilling, engaged life. How do we balance saving, aging, working, healthcare, college tuition, and caring for kids and aging parents? How much is too much sacrifice? Should we leave everything for our children, or should we live it up and they will have to figure things out? If we have inheritance, how do we not blow it? If we don’t, how do we properly prepare for old age without being a total burden on our children and family members?

These are the conversations I want to have—not just behind closed doors with financial advisors, but out loud, with the people in my life. Money talk doesn’t have to be awkward. The more we share, the more we know. The more we know, the more we can actually do something about it.

So let’s break the silence. Do you talk about money—with friends, family, colleagues? Or do you avoid it? What’s holding you back? What financial lesson did you learn the hard way?

I want to hear from you. Who’s having the real conversations about money? Who should I interview about it? Hit reply or comment on my post to let me know. Sending love,

Patricia

PS: here is a inspiration board for my life in “retirement”. Working on it… ❤️