Money is something I'm going to have to think about and come to some decisions on my own. There are so many ideas, theories, morals and information about how it works, and over each different city, country or context the rules vary widely. People's approaches to making it, managing it, lending it, investing it- everything is different everywhere.
In India, money is a thing to be had. There isn't disrespect to people don't have it, and no one assumes any disrespect either. My mom tells me of a murder trial in the US where the woman introduces herself as a lawyer and her co-worker who handles the smaller cases, and makes sure to add that 'her work is just as valuable as mine'. In a murder trial.
Personal experience aside, Here's my theory of money.
Money is relative. It affords you relative power at a particular point in time.
It's hard to be in a situation where you are truly cash flow positive (ie. you total expenses truly are less than your income)
All of us are technically debted to our parents (who have them), and we all needed someone to help us when we are small. So a totally do - it yourself theory of money doesn't make sense. Even Roark , in the capitalist manifesto of the Fountainhead lived with Peter until he was old enough. This definition of 'old enough' is again very relative to context. My dear friend started working full-time in other people's houses at 8 years old.
Generational wealth is important. It's not nepotism. Sometimes, a particular change or development takes decades to happen, multi-generations and it makes sense that your parents struggled in a way you don't have to, and you can give the true gifts of your lifetime to your children. It becomes difficult if you have a personality where you don't necessarily want to carry the 'mantle' as such and you just want to surf by the beach or something. It can sometimes feel like a ton of pressure.
Money is a way of growing your influence. If you don't have a sense that your influence is net positive, how will you ever be comfortable deploying a lot of power through money?
If you want to one day be responsible and manage the budget of a multi-million dollar company, how comfortable are you investing $100 in yourself week to week. $500? $1000?
I understand the taboo around talking about money. There's so much judgement and sometimes emotion behind it that we don't want to unleash all of that in day to day conversation. But, we definitely need some place to talk about it honestly and openly so we can all understand everything better.
As a craftsperson, you can get by a lot more than you think on barter. Trade your craft for shit you want directly. Everyone has something spare lying around, if you can make them something pretty most people will give you something. Also, you can do the paperclip challenge. Me and my brother did it once and ended up with a $300 bottle of honey that lasted me 6 months in my milk every morning.
*Some currencies are so beautiful. The engravings on coins, patterns on notes. 10/10. What a way to honour something so integral to our everyday lives.