How can someone be exceptionally intelligent yet still struggle financially? Also was he interested?

[Anonymous]

I had a math tutor in college who was a few years older than me and an absolute genius at math. He could look at a problem and solve it without using a pen or paper. He was just brilliant to me.

He helped me with my statistics homework, and I paid him when I could. I always felt bad because he would help me for hours, and all I could afford was maybe $20 or even less. But I also noticed that he was struggling. He wasn’t very well kept, and I remember a small roach crawling out of his jacket one day while we were in the library.

When COVID happened, I ended up paying him to do my online tests and assignments. Later on, though, he just started doing them for free. He completed all of my online math homework and everything else. It was so easy for him, but without his help, I don’t think I would have graduated.

He told me I didn’t have to pay him back—he just wanted to make sure I graduated. I never understood how someone so incredibly intelligent could struggle financially. He did say I could pay him back by treating him to lunch

[beenherebefore]

Being book smart doesn't mean they're intelligent. Growing up I was a terrible student and always thought my smart peers had bright futures ahead of them. Well, this girl that was an A student works in a shop as a cashier and this other guy from my class works at Toys r Us. My brother who has always been a great student is also struggling in life. On the other hand I turned out to become successful with a promising career and I am financially independent and earn more than all my friends with degrees.

[Anonymous]

Just because someone is intelligent doesn’t mean they know about finances. You know how many subjects there are in this world. They may be ignorant of the subject. Finances is one of the biggest subjects most people struggle w. Most of us aren’t taught about finances. Most of us got basics math, some college math but if you’re talking about finances that’s a whole new subject. There’s many categories under finance, not that simple as far as just reading one book that solves all your financial problems.

[Staximus]

Just because somebody is talented or knowledgeable in one way doesn’t mean they are in others. He obviously doesn’t know how to market his skills to make money. For example some people aren’t fighters and then some are, just like some people aren’t hustlers or go-getters and some are, some people have s strong work ethic and some people don’t.

[Anonymous]

It's called "executive function disorder". It's not uncommon. Some people are quite capable in fields that interest them, but have difficulty completing tasks that they find unpleasant. I'm one of them. I am in the top 99.95% in intelligence (1 in 2000). Medication helps some, and may have helped me.

[BonzoInBitburg]

Being smart can prevent you from taking risks you need to take to become rich.

[jahaims]

You are mistaking intelligence for discipline/responsibility. They aren't the same thing

[FrodoSkywalker007]

More common than you think

[Asker]

You think he was interested

[Anonymous]

Clearly he wasn't doing it for money.

[Asker]

Then what?

[Opinion Owner]

Maybe he thought of you as a friend or more, so he wasn't doing it for the money.

[DirtyOldMan777]

Education DOES NOT EQUAL common sense.