Adulting used to be a punchline for clueless twenty-somethings fumbling through life. But now, it’s become a skill—and yes, you can actually learn it in a classroom.
From budgeting hacks to basic car care, “adulting classes” are popping up everywhere, filling the gaps schools often leave wide open. And for Gen Z, the need is real: nearly half say they feel planning for the future is pointless, so they’d rather just spend freely now, according to a Credit Karma survey. Combine that with rising living costs, student loans, and shaky job markets, and suddenly knowing how to stretch a dollar looks pretty smart.
Adulting classes tackle the everyday stuff that drains your wallet if you’re clueless—how to manage your credit score, file your taxes without tears, plan meals so you don’t blow $100 a week on takeout, and even how to avoid getting ripped off at the mechanic.
Take Heather Jeal, who decades ago took a women’s auto maintenance course. She didn’t just learn about spark plugs—she gained the confidence to say “no” when a garage tried to push costly repairs she didn’t need. That’s real money saved, and it started in a classroom.
Experts back this up. Harvard finance lecturer Randy Cohen says every class should drill home compound interest, inflation, and taxes—because those invisible forces silently erode your wealth if you’re not paying attention.
Adulting won’t make you rich overnight, but it can stop you from making rookie mistakes that drain your bank account. And while no two courses cover everything, they’re a practical push in the right direction—proof that real-life money sense isn’t magic. It’s just another thing you can learn—if you’re willing to sign up.
