I'm 28, Getting Out of the Military and 'Super Financially Illiterate.' How Do I Get Off the Ground?

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Many people assume financial literacy is something you're supposed to pick up along the way. But for those who never learned how budgeting, investing and retirement accounts actually work, managing money can feel overwhelming, even when they're doing more things right than they realize.

That was the situation facing a 28-year-old preparing to leave the military after eight years of service. In a recent post on Reddit, the soon-to-be veteran described themselves as "super financially illiterate" and admitted they were struggling to figure out where to begin. "My ex was super financially savvy and now that they are gone I want to learn this stuff for myself," they wrote.

"Where should I start? Are there like fundamentals I should know?" Don't Miss: 1.

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79 — Learn How to Invest Before the Deadline AI Robots Have Already Fried More Than 5 Million Baskets Of Food. Everyday Investors Can Still Buy Into The Company Behind Them. The surprising part about their financial situation was how much stronger it already was than that of many Americans.

The poster said they were debt-free, had roughly $10,000 in savings and about $36,000 in their Thrift Savings Plan. The Fundamentals Come First Many commenters pointed out that being debt-free is a huge advantage. One commenter offered what may be the simplest personal finance advice ever given: "Do not spend more than you earn, EVER."

Others encouraged the former service member to focus on the basics before worrying about complicated investing strategies. That means creating a budget, understanding how interest works, building an emergency fund and developing consistent saving habits. Several people suggested personal finance books, free educational resources and financial literacy courses.

The main idea was that building wealth isn't about secret tricks, but about learning and sticking to a few basic, proven habits. "You don't learn a language or how to be a soldier in a couple days," one commenter wrote. "The same is true here."

Trending: Big Pharma Has Spent Years Searching For Better Osteoarthritis Treatments. This Biotech Is Taking A Different Approach. Many also encouraged the poster to research veteran benefits, including disability programs, education assistance and financial counseling services that may still be available after separation from the military.

Financial Literacy Is a Skill, Not a Talent Story Continues The discussion also highlighted a common misconception that successful investing requires constant stock picking and market predictions. Instead, commenters repeatedly recommended keeping things simple, investing consistently and taking a long-term approach. "Your income is your greatest asset," one veteran shared a lesson they learned after leaving military service.

"By getting paid more, you save more or you can invest more." That idea goes beyond investing. Increasing earning power through education, certifications and career development can often have a bigger impact on long-term wealth than trying to find the next hot stock.

"My life changed 180 [degrees] when I got my degree," the same person said. "I used my GI bill, graduated, and my salary exploded!" See Also: This Energy Company Says It Can Turn Coal Into Hydrogen, Diesel And Other Products—Without Burning It.

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The most encouraging takeaway from the conversation was that financial literacy isn't reserved for experts. It's a skill anyone can develop with time and effort. And in this case, commenters agreed the former service member already has something many people lack: no debt, some savings and a willingness to learn.

That's a solid foundation to build on. Read Next: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100. Building Wealth Across More Than Just the Market Building a resilient portfolio means thinking beyond a single asset or market trend.

Economic cycles shift, sectors rise and fall, and no one investment performs well in every environment. That's why many investors look to diversify with platforms that provide access to real estate, fixed-inc