The words we tell ourselves about money matters. Do you live in the scarcity mindset or the abundance mindset when it comes to money? What is your money address? Is your self-talk along the lines of, I am always broke, I never have enough money, I am in debt, I am stuck, I am a money mess? Or is it more like, I have unlimited potential to earn money, I am creative, I am smart, I budget, I pay my bills on time, I have enough money to live the life I choose? Those are two completely different ways to talk to yourself about money. Once you begin to shift your self money talk, your money begins to shift. Remember, you control your money, it does not control you.
Now, I am not saying that you blink your eyes three times and wish really hard and your money situation will be transformed. It will take money response ability from you but it can be done and it can be done with adventure and joy along the way! Sometimes the scariest part is just getting started- so let’s start to reframe the way we think about money.
A personal share..
I want to give you a little personal insight into me. I did not grow up with money. By today’s standards, my family would have been described as poor. We had food to eat and a roof over our heads but the roof wasn’t fancy and much of our food came from the garden, fishing, and gathering (as from the woods). Now, don’t get me wrong-we did shop at the grocery store (my mother bought a lot of store brands, sale items, and food that could go a long way) but a good percentage of our food was either grown, caught, gathered, or given to us by friends and neighbors. Looking back, it was that food that did not come from stores, that was actually the best food we ate. I grew up on fresh caught fish, garden grown fruit and vegetables, and gourmet mushrooms and greens gathered from the woods by my father. I don’t know if anyone is familiar with Fiddlehead Ferns but when I was a kid, I ate them by the bowl full, cooked with butter and Lawry’s Red Salt. Now, if I can even find Fiddlehead Ferns, the cost is exorbitant. I think even as a kid, I realized the way we ate was “rich” even though my family did not have money. I did feel the lack of money in other areas though and realized early in my life, that I was going to change my money address.
The best time to work on your money situation is now. Living in the, “I don’t have enough nor will I ever have enough money” mode, gets you nowhere. So start where you are, wherever that is right now. Ignoring debt, excessive spending, unpaid bills, or money challenges does not fix them, it only perpetuates the problem and stops you from beginning the path to financial freedom. Many of us have created a money story in our head and have given that story power over us and forgotten that it is only a story and stories can be rewritten. At any time, you can start to rewrite your story. So, I ask you to think about choosing abundance instead of scarcity when you write your money story. It starts in your mind. Thoughts are powerful. Action follows thought. Another magic thing that happens, is once you handle your money responsibly and start to master it, you create space in your life. Space that was once filled with stress, worry, and fear but is now free. Think of the limitless potential to create the life you choose with that new found space. I rewrote my money story and I know you can rewrite yours.
Sincerely,
Susan, The MoneyMaestra
This is such an important concept. I think my money address lies somewhere in between, leaning toward the positive. This is a natural place for me and I don’t put much effort into it. I truly believe I have everything I need to create money in my life. Having said that, I’m not quite where I’d like to be ( financially) so I’m going to be more intentional with my thoughts about money. Thank you for this reminder that I have power over my thoughts-and I can adapt them as I choose!
Cheryl, yes I also believe I have everything I need to create money in my life. If we have this internal positive belief about creating money in our lives and we combine it with positive thoughts and actions regarding money-a shift happens. Exactly, being more intentional with your money thoughts and adapting the ones you choose. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this important topic.
I like how you wrote response ability. We always have the ability to be respond how we choose and be responsible. In my family, abundance was viewed in terms of meals. We did not have much money. My grandparents bought my clothes and we did not take vacations. But we always had a nice meal on the table. That is true for me today as well, in terms of feeling abundant because we eat well. I always know that my needs are met. However, I would like to free up more money for travel so I will start a new dialogue about that today! Thanks for sharing your personal story. Having known you for most of our lives, I still did not know about fiddlehead ferns!
Yes, we do always have the ability to choose how we respond. Response ability is in all of us. The more we hone this response ability with money matters- the better we get at it and the more financial freedom we create in our lives. I have such wonderful teenage memories of meals around your family’s table- the food was abundant and delicious. Food was a way to express abundance in my family also- including those fiddlehead ferns- once of my favorite dishes as a kid! Once you focus on what you want/need more money to accomplish, such as the funds for a wonderful vacation, you will work that money into your budget. It may mean cutting back on something else but once you have it all in a budget, and determine what is most important- you will make it happen. It’s the beauty of a budget:)
I am somewhere in the middle of the money situation. I pay my bills, have a roof over my head but still feel I can’t ever get ahead. When I know there is something I want to do I have to plan ahead and really think what I need to do to get there. I know what I really need, especially after tuning into your Friday on line class, is to start budgeting my money. I am one of those people who have it in my pocket and go back and try to figure out where it all went. I think once I can do that it will really help. Thank you for sharing all this wonderful information.
You are welcome and thank you for sharing your money story. Budgeting is key- it really is the game changer. When you truly account for all your money and know where it goes you never have to go back and try to figure out where it went. A budget is actually simple and joyful once you get it in place- it is such a feeling of empowerment to budget your money. You will certainly be able to create more freedom in your life around money.
We ate fiddleheads when I was young too! Our garden was huge and I hated working in it as a kid but what I wouldn’t give now for those fresh veggies! I’ve been partially furloughed from work so I’m down to three days a week, but after reading your post I didn’t know it but i think I’m using my “response” ability to figure out how I can make retirement work sooner rather than later now that I’ve been put in a position of less. Thank you for your insightful posts!
Hi,Christina, I agree fiddleheads and garden fresh veggies are such a luxury! You are so welcome and I am happy to know you are enjoying my WiseWednesdays Blog posts. Once we start really thinking about our retirement and coming up with a plan, it does begin to fall into place. Not that being furloughed is a good thing but good has come out of it- you realized you can make do with less and retirement may come sooner than you thought possible-that’s a silver lining for sure!
Loved your message so true about mind over matter. I too grew up as you did. Poor but happy and always provided for. Now many years later I know I can do alot better than I currently am. Your website has given me confidence that I can control my money. Thank You.
Hi, Janice, thank you for your comment. I am thankful MoneyMaestra is having a positive impact on your relationship with your money. You can control your money- it is absolutely possible. Please keep reading my blogs and try to attend some of MoneyMaestra’s online events-I will continue to share my knowledge and experience regarding money. Financial Responsibility ultimately equals Financial Freedom. It starts with your thoughts about money which will then change your actions regarding money.