Your Money Journey Is Like an Onion: Why I'll Never Judge Your Layer
Your Money Journey Is Like an Onion: Why I'll Never Judge Your Layer
We're all peeling back different layers. And that's okay.
Your money journey is like an onion.
Layer after layer after layer.
And here's what most people don't talk about: We're all on different layers.
The Rewards Points Layer
I was on a panel recently, and one of the other panelists was teaching people how to maximize credit card rewards.
"Use this card for groceries. Use that card for travel. Get your points. Get your cash back."
And I sat there thinking... Oh my goodness.
Because I know what can happen when people chase rewards points without understanding the full picture.
Spending $10,000 on a credit card to earn $100 back. Racking up debt while celebrating "free" flights. Paying 24% interest while collecting 2% cash back.
But here's the thing:
I didn't judge.
Why? Because that's their layer. And at some point, that was my layer too.
We All Start Somewhere
The onion analogy came to me when I was thinking about how we grow in faith — and how that mirrors how we grow with money.
The deeper we go with God, the more layers we peel back. Things we thought were fine? We start to see differently. Habits we justified? We start to question.
Money works the same way.
Layer 1: You don't even know what you don't know. Money comes in, money goes out, and you hope for the best.
Layer 2: You start tracking. Maybe you try a budget. You're aware — even if you're not consistent.
Layer 3: You're paying off debt. You understand that owing money is costing you more than just the balance.
Layer 4: You're saving intentionally. Emergency fund. Sinking funds. Money with purpose.
Layer 5: You're investing. Your money is working for you — not just sitting there.
Layer 6: You're building legacy. Thinking generationally. Teaching your kids. Giving abundantly.
Different layers. Different stages. All valid.
I'm Not Here to Judge Your Layer
Here's my heart as a financial coach:
I'm not here to shame you for where you are.
I've been on layers I'm not proud of. I've made money mistakes. I've chased things that didn't serve me. I've been stuck — and I've been stuck alone because I was too embarrassed to talk about it.
So when someone tells me they're drowning in credit card debt while collecting rewards points... I get it.
When someone tells me they've never had a budget in their life... I get it.
When someone tells me they make good money but have nothing to show for it... I get it.
We all start somewhere.
The question isn't "What layer SHOULD you be on?"
The question is: Are you willing to keep peeling?
The Goal: Keep Going Deeper
The beauty of the onion is that there's always another layer.
You're never "done."
You pay off debt — and then you learn about investing. You start investing — and then you learn about tax strategies. You build wealth — and then you learn about legacy and generational impact.
Every layer reveals something new. Every layer teaches you something.
And every layer you peel back? That's growth.
So don't beat yourself up for where you are. Don't compare your layer to someone else's.
Just commit to peeling.
One layer at a time.
What Layer Are You On?
Take a moment and be honest with yourself.
Where are you right now in your money journey?
Are you in the "I don't even want to look at my account" layer?
Are you in the "I'm trying to budget but it's not working" layer?
Are you in the "I'm paying off debt and it feels endless" layer?
Are you in the "I'm saving but I don't know what's next" layer?
Wherever you are — that's your starting point. That's where we meet you.
And from there? We peel.
Your Next Layer Starts Here
I created a FREE resource called the Mini But Mighty Money Reset Guide to help you take the first step — no matter what layer you're on.
It's not about judgment. It's about movement.
One layer. One step. One decision at a time.
💬 Comment RESET on this post (or DM me) and I'll send it straight to you.
Your money journey is like an onion.
Let's keep peeling — together. 🧅💚
Foluke Olayele is a financial coach, author of Plant Your Money Seeds, and founder of Hand In Hand Consulting — helping individuals and couples build wealth with wisdom and faith.
