How Moving Abroad Changed My Relationship With Money

 

 

I Didn’t Earn Money — But I Started Understanding It

Moving Abroad Changed How I See Money from the very first day we arrived in the U.S. — even at 13, I was learning the real value behind every dollar spent.
When I moved to the U.S. at 13, I didn’t have a job.
I wasn’t paying bills. I didn’t even know what a “credit score” was.

But slowly, I started noticing things.
How much groceries cost.
How often my parents checked prices.
How different money felt in this country.

I may not have been earning, but my entire relationship with money was starting to shift.

Here’s what changed.

1. I Realized Just How Much Everything Costs

Back in India, I never thought about the price of milk or toothpaste.
But in the U.S., I started hearing things like:

“This is $4.99? Too much. Let’s check another store.”

Every little thing had a dollar value attached.
That’s when I understood: money here moves fast, and if you’re not careful, it disappears quietly.

2. I Saw My Parents Stretch Every Dollar

They weren’t big spenders — not because they were cheap, but because they were careful.

From choosing store-brand groceries to waiting for sales, they made it a point to spend wisely. And as a kid, I absorbed that mindset without even realizing it.

3. I Stopped Asking for Things Casually

Back in India, I could casually say “Can we get this?” and the answer might be yes.

Here? I’d think twice before asking.
Not because I was scared — but because I knew it meant something.

Every toy, every trip, every takeout order came with a mental calculation.
And that awareness stuck with me.

4. I Started Saving Birthday Money Without Knowing Why

Any time I got birthday money or gift cards, I didn’t rush to spend them.
Something in me said,

“Hold on to it. You might need it later.”

Even though I wasn’t earning, I started building the habit of not spending everything just because I could.

Read Odd Jobs Teens Do In The US to see how teens find ways to earn in a new country.

5. I Learned to Respect Money, Not Fear It

Some kids learn about money through chores or part-time jobs.

I learned by watching — observing how bills were paid, how rent mattered, how swiping a card didn’t mean free money.

I wasn’t afraid of money. But I started to respect it — and the effort behind it.

6. Responsibility Sneaks In Early When You Move Abroad

Even if you’re young, moving abroad puts you in grown-up situations fast.

You see your parents start over.
You witness financial stress.
You understand the cost of comfort.

By the time I was in high school, I wasn’t thinking like a typical teen.
I was already thinking about things like savings, college, and how not to be a burden.

7. Now, I Treat Every Dollar Like It Matters

Even now, I carry that mindset.

Whether I’m spending $5 or $50, I think:

“Is this worth it?”
“Do I really need it?”
“Would younger me be okay with this choice?”

Moving abroad didn’t just change where I lived.
It changed how I thought — especially about money.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be earning to understand money. You just need to watch closely. Moving abroad taught me that money is more than numbers — it’s survival, strategy, and a little bit of self-control. And that lesson started when I was 13. Ultimately, Moving Abroad Changed How I See Money forever, shaping my thoughts about saving, spending, and responsibility as a young immigrant.

You might also like How to Save Smartly While Living Abroad as an Indian for practical saving tips.