Hi, Hello Reader,

“If we had moved, we would have lost the house.”

I heard this over and over again growing up. 👇🏼

My parents moved into their “starter home” when I was just 1 year old. The plan was to “upgrade” after five years.

My mom finally moved out of that house 27 years later.

My mom could never afford to move. First, she got divorced. Then, my mom and new stepfather struggled to find jobs for years after the financial crisis in ‘08. Sometimes both of them were unemployed.

Before ‘08, I remember shopping for our dream home. We used to tour properties high in the Rocky Mountains playfully arguing about which house was our favorite.

After, the story became: “Thank God we never made an offer. If we had moved, we would have lost the house.” 🙏🏼

Money Stories are tricky things.

Because of my childhood, I learned fun wasn’t tied to a bank balance. I learned to problem solve and enjoy living right where I am.

(Because we were “stuck” in a too small home and always “made do” with our limitations.)

I learned to budget and plan with money at a young age. I prioritize living minimally, both for our planet and for the mental freedom of having less material “stuff” to spend time and energy on.

(Because the next financial setback is always coming. We have to think long term about our priorities so we can cover necessities. Purchases have to last.)

I’m an expert saver. This has allowed my husband and I incredible freedom. We’ve pivoted unfulfilling careers, said yes to last minute travel and experiences, donated large sums to causes we care about, and are confident we can live on our own terms. 🙌🏼

Because I have to have savings. I can never save enough. In fact, I should probably be saving more right now. I bet I could look at next month’s budget and find a way to do that.

Because it’s smart to cut back.

It’s not safe to have an expensive lifestyle. 🫤

Because “if we had moved, we would have lost the house.”

💸Money Stories often have two sides like this.

My childhood Money Story taught me how to discern what matters and to ensure I am living (and spending) true to my values. It gave me skills I use as an accountant and money coach, a career that pays me well and allows me to help others.

And yet, every time I want more fun, more rest, more help, more ANYTHING that costs a little bit of money, my childhood Money Story also gives me a lot of anxiety.

But you know what?

Anxiety is just an emotion. 👇🏼

Here’s another quote I say to myself all the time:

“When you feel… Anxiety. Fear. Nervousness. Resistance. Nothing is wrong. Something is just different.”

It’s a quote from Barbara Stanny’s Overcoming Underearning, one of my favorite money mindset books.

And it reminds us that if we really, truly want to change our relationship with money, that change will naturally come with some big emotions.

👉🏼 So I challenge you to think of this emotional response as a sign your plans ARE WORKING.

I want you to feel the fear and do it anyway.

How is this possible? Well, I always rely on my Money Storyteller Method.

I have clarity on my Money Story and how it can affect my thoughts and emotions. I expect big emotions as I uplevel.

So, I create a strong Money System to calm my nervous system and keep myself taking strategic action. 👇🏼

And I have a Money Map to help me determine what those strategic actions are.

It shifts me from emotional reaction to data-driven decision making.

With these 3 Pillars - the Money Story, Money System, and Money Map - I truly have all the information I need to create the future I want for my life and business.

If you want to learn more about the Money Storyteller Method, come to my free event next month. ✨

Over 3 days of powerful teaching and coaching, you’ll learn how these 3 Pillars provide the financial foundation business owners need to be a fulfilled, complete, and messy human, and still fully capable of taking big action.

This event is easily worth thousands of dollars, but I made it totally free because I want you to transform your relationship with money and anxiety too.

​Click here to get your free ticket for Momentum! 🎉

See you there,

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