Why You Should Leave The Bank

You may be sceptical after reading the title, but bear with me. No, I'm not advocating you close your bank account, ask your boss to be paid in cash, and hide it all under your mattress. Having a basic bank account offers all kind of advantages, ranging from convenience to insurance. I also don't believe the world will collapse tomorrow, bringing down banks all around the world and with it the wealth and retirement accounts of anyone who decided to keep their money there.

So what does Leave The Bank stands for? It's about taking control of your life, your financial life, and not letting someone else decide of your future, especially when that someone else doesn't have your best interest at heart. When a bank is giving you a line of credit, is it a good idea to use it to renovate your house? When your "financial advisor" is trying to sell you its great mutual fund to finance your retirement, is it great because it's a good deal or because they'll get a commission for it? When they're telling you to take a mortgage, are you blindly accepting what they're telling you what you qualify for and believe you can afford it? That's the part of The Bank you should Leave.

That may sound complicated and overly dramatic, but at its core it's very simple. Most people are bad at handling their finance, and I want that to change. Why? Because I believe it will make the world a better place. Money can be a source of stress for a lot of people, but when handled correctly it can become a tool to get you the life the you want. Money should never be a goal in itself, it's only a tool.

So what can you expect from this blog? Mostly articles about everything finance: from the basic like budgeting to the complex like retirement planning, my goal is to touch on a lot of different subjects. I will also write about related topics like self-improvement, traveling, and anything that goes through my mind when I think about money. Financial stuff doesn't happen in a vacuum and touches many parts of our life, so it makes sense to include these topics from time to time. Also, cats.

If you're reading this and thinking to yourself "I'm not good with money, that won't work with me" or "I just can't learn, this stuff is too complicated", I challenge you to continue reading. It's easy to believe that you're just not talented and that you'll never improve, but the reality is that anyone can do it. It may require more work, or take longer depending on where you start, but anyone can do it. Of course, it won't be easy. Self-improvement rarely is, and requires doubting one-self and challenging ideas that are often taken for granted. Talent is great, but it won't win you anything if you're not ready to put in the work. It requires someone who's willing to learn and adapt, although I promise you it's worth the ride.