What do you tell yourself about money?
Are you a saver, or a spendthrift, or do you avoid thinking about it at all costs?
It reveals a lot about yourself and what you believe is possible.
Often our stories are negative.
You become the story you tell yourself.
But money doesnt have to be the source of so much anxiety.
It can instead be a source of freedom, power, and choice.
I knew I had to deconstruct and rebuild my life anew, she writes.
Heres how she did it.
For example,
Money lets me buy whatever I want.
No matter how hard I try, I cant save.
Someday my prince will come.
Capitalism is evil, so I dont get caught up in it.
If Im good, the universe will give me what I need.
Money makes me valuable.
Even acknowledging that your story needs to change could be helpful.
There are a few other exercises you might do.
Dont think, Steinberg writes, just write what first strikes you.
You dont even need to write in complete sentences.
Here are some prompts:
Whats your earliest memory of money?
Where did it come from?
Were you raised in a saving or spending mentality?
Where do you think money should come from today?
How much money do you think you have in relation to your friends and family?
Is that how much you think you deserve?
How does that make you feel?
Some other examples from Steinbergs book:
Managing money is someone elses job.
Managing money is something only men enjoy.
I dont know what Im doing with money and never will.
I cant be spiritual and care about money, theyre opposites.
If I just stop spending, Ill have more money.
The economy is bad so nobody can afford to pay me what I deserve.
Look at your list and underline the ones you want to change.
For example, heres how my cynical thinking about retirement affects me.
Im not sure Ill ever have enough to retire, no matter how hard I work.
I contribute to a 401(k), but I know I could save more.
Social Security
still be there for me.
If Im smart and a little bit lucky, I can make my money work for me.
You dont necessarily hold these beliefs nowrather, think about the ways youd like to think about your finances.
Ways of changing your money story.
Especially rewrite the negative ideas you have in a positive way.
Here are some examples from Steinbergs book,
Money can be a force for good.
The growth of my savings account reflects how well I value myself.
Money is a spiritual expression.
Its totally fine to ask for what I want and need.
Repeat these new, positive statementsthis could then change your behavior, and change your story.
Being disengaged from your finances will just cost you more money.
