Personal Finance Expert Houston Fraley Explains Why Access Is the Real Foundation of Financial Literacy

For many people, money feels like a subject they were expected to understand long before anyone ever taught them. Bills arrive, credit scores matter, and long-term planning becomes urgent, yet most adults enter this stage with little or no formal instruction. Houston Fraley, a personal finance expert and leader at Symple Lending, argues that this gap creates fear where there should be clarity.

“Financial literacy should make people feel capable,” Fraley says, noting that money conversations often become intimidating instead of empowering.Symple Lending, recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies as well as its Best Workplaces list, has built much of its mission around changing the tone of those conversations. For Fraley, the issue is not complexity. It is the way people are introduced to financial information.

“If learning about money makes you afraid, something is wrong with how it is being taught,” he explains.

Why So Many People Feel Unprepared

Although math and writing are standard parts of school curriculums, personal finance rarely receives the same attention. According to national education organizations, fewer than half of U.S. states require a dedicated personal finance course in high school. Most adults therefore learn through trial and error, often during moments of stress.

Overspending becomes a way to feel temporary relief. Ignoring bills feels safer than confronting them. Debt becomes something people hide instead of manage.

“The problem is not laziness,” Fraley says. “The problem is silence.”

Without clear instruction, people approach money emotionally rather than practically. Fraley believes this emotional weight is a predictable result of being left to figure out important decisions alone.

The Books That Actually Help

When asked which resources move people toward clarity instead of anxiety, Fraley points to three books that have consistently helped readers understand both their habits and their motivations.

Dave Ramsey’s The Total Money Makeoverstresses personal responsibility and structure. While Fraley notes that not every strategy fits every person, he believes the book is strong in its emphasis on discipline and planning.

Vicki Robin’s Your Money or Your Lifeencourages readers to connect their financial decisions to their values. Fraley finds that this shift often changes how people think about spending. “The biggest lesson here is that money is not the destination,” he says. “It is a tool.”

Ramit Sethi’s I Will Teach You to Be Richblends humor with straightforward tactics. Fraley appreciates the honesty of its approach. “This book works because it is honest,” he says. “It does not pretend anyone is perfect.”

Together, these resources help people replace shame with curiosity, which Fraley sees as essential for growth.

Tools That Make Money Visible

Fraley encourages the use of simple digital tools that reveal spending patterns and financial habits. Budgeting platforms such as Mint and You Need a Budget help people understand where their money actually goes. Credit monitoring services like Credit Karma give users a clearer view of the factors influencing their credit scores. Research platforms like NerdWallet break down financial language in a way that feels usable rather than overwhelming.

“Seeing behavior is more powerful than hearing advice,” Fraley explains. He believes that once people can visualize their financial habits, change becomes far more achievable. “When information is accessible, people stop being afraid.”

Progress Over Perfection

Fraley often hears people say they wish they had learned financial skills when they were younger. He pushes back on the idea that there is a “right” time to start.

“That belief keeps people stuck,” he says. “There is no expiration date on understanding money.”

He encourages beginners to choose one small habit to monitor, such as tracking expenses or automating savings. Over time, these small steps build confidence. “The best budgeting app is not the most advanced one,” Fraley adds. “It is the one you use.”

Education Instead of Influence

Social media has turned financial advice into entertainment, with influencers promoting strategies that are often oversimplified or risky. Fraley cautions against assuming that popularity equals credibility.

“People confuse influence with accuracy,” he warns.

Financial literacy gives people the ability to question, evaluate, and understand instead of imitate. It replaces pressure with perspective.

The Takeaway

Houston Fraley’s philosophy is rooted in the idea that financial literacy is less about expertise and more about access. When people receive information in a clear, respectful, and encouraging way, fear loses its hold. Money becomes understandable. Decisions feel manageable. And confidence grows not from perfection, but from clarity.

Financial education begins the moment someone decides to pay attention. Curiosity does the rest.