The Most Overlooked Skill in Personal Finance; Self-Forgiveness
Whether you've been working with me for years, or are currently struggling to face your finances, I highly recommend watching the video below about the power of self-forgiveness in your journey with money.
Many of you have not yet experienced an approach to dealing with money that is kind, calm, and forgiving, and it's so important to know that it is possible.
Part of my role as a financial coach is making recommendations and referrals — not just to estate lawyers and tax preparers, but also for landscapers, contractors, therapists… you name it. I try to be very thoughtful about who I recommend, because it's important to me that they share the same values of integrity and honesty in the way they serve people. In other words, they focus on the human, not just the bottom line.
So why do I recommend the You Need a Budget app for managing your money?
Because their philosophy centers around helping people live intentional lives while being kind to themselves in the process. I also appreciate that they don’t make money by selling your information, which is increasingly rare for apps these days.
If you're currently struggling with your finances, the “Sketchy Advice” channel featured above is a great resource.
Your Lifelong Relationship with Money
I've always told clients that during the first month — when we begin to see where their money is really going — the goal is “loving observation.”
Recently, though, I’ve caught myself clarifying something important: it’s not just about that first month. In many ways, the entire process of financial change requires loving observation.
Unless we are able to give ourselves some grace, the process of designing your life (and your finances) can quickly become discouraging.
An exercise for you: Revisiting your Money Story
Has it been a while since you've taken time to really explore your relationship with money?
The exercise above — inspired by work from the Money Coaching Institute — can help you identify the moments in your life that shaped how you think and feel about money today.
By recognizing these experiences and reflecting on them, you may discover patterns or beliefs that are still influencing your decisions. And once we see those patterns clearly, we are much better equipped to create new ones moving forward.
Thanks for reading as always, -Emily
P.S. If you do complete the exercise above and gain insight into your current relationship with money, I'd love to hear about it!
emily@pdxmoneycoaching.com