"Credit Cards Are Like Cocaine" A Reality Check from a Teenager Who Gets It

Before COVID-19 turned our everyday routines upside down, I volunteered at a Financial Reality Fair held in a bustling high school gymnasium. It was 2019—back when “social distancing” wasn’t even in our vocabulary. Little did I know, a single statement from a 15-year-old student would etch itself into my mind long after we all had to adapt to a new normal.

Credit cards are like cocaine. They’re free at first—and they can kill you.

That line came from a high school sophomore at a Financial Reality Fair I volunteered at recently. And let me tell you—I’ve got a sharp tongue and a love for a good analogy, but this one stopped me cold.

Not offended. Not even amused.

Just stunned.

Because she wasn’t wrong. That’s not the kind of insight you expect from someone who hasn’t even held a credit card yet. But there she was—cool, calm, and clearly informed—delivering a mic-drop explanation of consumer debt better than half the brochures in the room.

I blinked a few times and reset. I was there to help students think critically about their spending choices, but in that moment, I realized I was the one getting schooled.

“Free at First…”

If you’ve ever opened a credit card, you know the drill. The shiny signup bonuses. The 0% interest period. The feeling of getting something for nothing. And maybe—just maybe—you’ve convinced yourself you were playing the system.

But what most folks don’t realize is that the system is built for you to think that.

Credit cards aren’t inherently evil. They can be useful tools—if used well. But the fine print gets real fast. Intro offers expire. Minimum payments mask growing balances. And the interest compounds like nobody’s business.

It’s “free” at first, until it’s not. And that’s the trap. That 15-year-old saw it before she even stepped into the maze.

“…And They Can Kill You.”

Was it a dramatic way to put it? Yes. Was it true? Also yes.

Credit card debt isn’t just a line item on a statement. It’s a leading indicator of stress. It clogs up cash flow. It delays opportunity. And it weighs heavy.

I’ve worked with people who’ve skipped doctor’s appointments because of their balances. Who’ve turned down job changes, postponed weddings, even moved back in with parents—not because they weren’t capable, but because they couldn’t breathe under the financial pressure.

So yeah, “kill you” might not be literal. But if you’ve seen what financial stress can do to someone’s health, relationships, and confidence—you get it. That student sure did.

Someone Taught Her That

What’s wild is she didn’t just stumble onto that metaphor. She learned it.

Someone in her life handed her that perspective. A parent. A teacher. A coach. Someone who went through it—or watched someone they love go through it—and decided to say something before it was too late.

That matters.

Because the way we think about money? It’s mostly absorbed. It’s learned behavior. We pick it up by watching, listening, repeating. Whether it’s intentional or not, someone is always teaching us something about money.

The question is—what kind of lesson are we passing on?

Why Financial Literacy Has to Hit Different

People love to think financial literacy is about calculators and compound interest. That’s part of it, sure. But the real work? It’s about narrative.

It’s the stories we hear and tell about money. The shame we carry. The goals we believe are out of reach. The risks we never take. The tiny financial behaviors that quietly shape the arc of our lives.

If we only talk about budgeting apps and credit limits, we’re missing the point.

That student didn’t recite a textbook. She articulated a worldview. One that could save her years of stress, and maybe even change her life. That’s financial literacy in action.

For the Rest of Us

April is Financial Literacy Month—but let’s not treat it like an annual oil change.

Whether you're a parent, a mentor, or someone trying to figure it out in real time—know this: your money story matters. And the way you talk about it (or don’t) is teaching someone something.

If you're feeling the weight of financial pressure, you're not broken. You're not alone. You’re just human. These pressures are signals, not sentences. And they’re calling for better habits, better support, and sometimes, a better script.

If a teenager can see it, say it, and mean it—we owe it to her to listen.

Sometimes, the sharpest truth in the room isn’t coming from the expert. It’s coming from the next generation.

P.S. Say no to drugs. Say no to debt you don’t understand. And make sure your kids learn from your example, not your mistakes.

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Disclosures: Carlson Planning Company is a Registered Investment Adviser. The content provided here is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial professional regarding your specific circumstances. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Carlson Planning Company or its affiliates. We believe in making informed decisions—financially, personally, and otherwise. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, help is available. Visit samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential support.