Remember when basic life skills—balancing a checkbook, cooking simple meals, filing taxes—were assumed knowledge? For many in Gen Z, they aren’t. As one report showed, “A lot of stuff involves money,” which is exactly why “Adulting 101” classes are booming (New York Post). Gen Z is flocking to tickets for adulthood-bootcamps. They’re paying to learn things many of us took for granted—budgeting, saving, moving out. But this isn’t just a reflection of gaps in high school or college curricula; it’s a wake-up call for all of us—no matter our age—that we can always strengthen our foundation of life skills. Because if you plan for 100 years, having those foundations in place early pays dividends later.

Research backs this up. A study by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation found that younger adults who score poorly on financial literacy are more likely to carry high-cost debt and less likely to save sufficiently (FINRA Foundation). Research from Dartmouth and University of Chicago has shown that people who have strong self-management skills—budgeting, meal planning, time management—report higher well-being even when income is modest. Another study in the Journal of Gerontology indicates that maintaining competence in “instrumental activities of daily living” (IADLs)—things like shopping, money management, paying bills—is a predictor of better cognitive and emotional health in older age. These findings reinforce what Gen Z is demanding: help with the basics doesn’t just smooth daily life—it supports long-term health, autonomy, and life satisfaction.

As one Adulting 101 participant said, “A lot of stuff involves money.” Another said, “I flunked when it came to taxes; I thought I could just wing it until Adulting class.” A third: “I moved out, and I couldn’t cook a thing. Learning to meal-prep changed my whole week.” Each of these shows how a small gap—thinking you could figure out rent, bills, meals “as they come”—turns into stress, missed opportunities, and deferred growth.

If you feel like you—or someone you know—could benefit from going back to basics, start here. Audit your skills: take 5 minutes to list what you struggle with—budgeting, cooking, taxes, filing forms, managing subscriptions. Set small weekly goals: for example, this week learn to set up a monthly budget; next week, cook one simple meal; the next, file one important document. Enroll in a course or workshop:Coursera offers Financial Planning for Young Adults courses;Khan Academy has a Personal Finance series;Udemy runs “Life Skills Bootcamp” or “Adulting 101” style classes.

Use tools to make life easier:Mint andYNAB—You Need A Budget for tracking expenses,Mealime for meal planning,TurboTax for taxes. Teach someone else: sharing what you learn—helping a sibling, friend, or parent—reinforces your understanding and builds community.

Even if you’ve long “been adulting,” these basic skills get forgotten or neglected under stress, change, or busyness. Age Brilliantly emphasizes continual learning—not just new fancy skills, but reinforcing the fundamentals. It’s how you ensure you can stand strong through any stage—emerging adult, midlife, or later years.

Here are more places to explore:FINRA Investor Education Foundation,MyMoney.gov,Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,EatLove for healthy meal planning,Codecademy for tech literacy, and your local library or community college adult-skills workshops.

What life skill do you wish you’d been taught earlier—and how would mastering it change your next 10 or 20 years? Share your experiences and insights in theAge Brilliantly Forum—your story might be just what someone else needs to feel empowered.