Real-World Money Lessons from Ally Songstad (Billings FCU), Jayne Haynie (Grasslands FCU), and Micah Bevans (Montana CU); facilitated with zero expertise by Michelle Skinner (Montana’s Credit Unions)

What if your high school had taught you how credit cards really work, why your first paycheck feels smaller than expected, and how saving $50 a month in your twenties could be worth thousands later in life?

We asked three young professionals from Montana credit unions what financial lessons they learned the hard way, and their answers revealed a few themes: start early, be intentional, and don’t let debt make decisions for you.

Lesson #1: Debt is easy to get into and hard to get out of

One of the biggest themes was the importance of understanding credit before using it. Ally recalled getting a credit card in college to build credit but not fully understanding how it worked. “I ended up using it way too often.”

The lesson is simple: credit cards can be valuable tools, but only when they’re used responsibly and paid off consistently.

Lesson #2: Know what you’re signing up for

Student loans were another area where the group felt schools could do more.

Jayne wishes someone had taken the time to explain what borrowing for college would actually mean long term. “You don’t really know what you’re getting into as far as terms, repayment, interest rate, any of that.”

Understanding how loans work before signing the paperwork can help students make better decisions and avoid surprises after graduation.

Lesson #3: Budgeting really matters

Budgeting may not be exciting, but the group agreed it’s one of the most important financial habits a person can develop.

“You have to know what you have coming in and what you have going out,” Jayne said. Without that knowledge, it’s easy to find yourself facing overdrafts, fees, or short-term loans.

Micah echoed that point, noting that your account balance doesn’t always tell the whole story. Future payments and automatic withdrawals may not have hit yet, making it easy to overspend if you’re not paying attention.

A budget doesn’t have to be complicated. It simply needs to help you understand where your money is going. Here’s how to start planning with a simple budget.

Lesson #4: Start saving earlier than you think

If there was one piece of advice everyone wished they’d followed sooner, it was saving.

The group emphasized building an emergency fund to handle unexpected expenses — or to use for investing or big purchases later. Whether it’s a vehicle repair, home maintenance issue, or another surprise cost, having cash set aside provides flexibility and peace of mind.

Micah’s biggest regret is not starting retirement savings earlier. “When you turn 18, and you have a job, you better open up an IRA or go with your company’s 401(k) plan,” she said. “You’re going to be my age and regretting it and trying to play catch up.”

Lesson #5: Look to a credit union to bridge the education gap

While schools are increasingly incorporating financial education into the classroom, credit unions continue to provide practical, real-world guidance through reality fairs, youth accounts, financial counseling, lending conversations, and member education programs. As Ally noted, reality fairs help students see what managing money looks like in real life, not just in theory. (ie. Kids are expensive!)

EXTRA CREDIT: Credit unions are great places to start a career

As the conversation wrapped up, one theme stood out beyond money management: the value of working for a credit union.

When asked what they enjoy most about their jobs, both Micah and Jayne had the same answer: the people. For Micah, it’s the cooperative spirit. For Jayne, it’s the opportunity to serve neighbors and members in her community.

That’s one of the unique advantages of a credit union career. Young professionals don’t just process transactions or grant loans. They help people buy their first vehicle, purchase a home, recover from fraud, build credit, save for retirement, and achieve financial goals. Every day offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on someone’s financial well-being.

Credit unions also provide opportunities to learn skills that aren’t always taught in the classroom. Employees gain firsthand experience with budgeting, lending, investing, fraud prevention, financial education, and relationship building. For many young professionals, that hands-on knowledge becomes valuable both personally and professionally.

Perhaps most importantly, credit unions are built on a people-helping-people philosophy. In a world where many careers can feel disconnected from the communities they serve, credit unions offer the opportunity to grow professionally while making a tangible difference in the lives of members and neighbors every day.

For Michelle, the most important lesson is that credit union professionals are always willing to step in to help. If you don’t know what you’re doing with your money, look to a credit union. They’re friendly, local, and dedicated to your financial well-being — whatever that looks like for you. She’d like to thank these young professionals for humoring her with this little project. She hopes it’s the start of a beautiful new, regular occurrence.

The Bottom Line

The money lessons these young professionals shared aren’t complicated: understand credit, live within a budget, save early, be skeptical of scams, and think before you spend. These habits can make a lasting difference, and they’re exactly the kinds of lessons many of us wish we’d learned a little sooner.

Be sure to watch or listen to their podcast for even more money lessons.