Power Over Your Personal Finances

For generations, we have been raised to avoid conversations with others centered around finances or money. Society has taught us that it is taboo; that it is better not to talk about it or to steer clear of such topics. Your finances, however, are NOT something that should be ignored. In essence, they represent all of the currency in your life. This includes your salary, additional income earned, any investments you have, your savings AND your expenses.

Your financial situation has the potential to either fuel you or drain you, and it actually has an impact on EVERY area of your life. Your physical, emotional and financial health are all INTERCONNECTED. Many of your personal goals can also be viewed as your financial goals, whether that means starting your own business, saving up for college, a wedding or a house, raising children or even traveling the world, etc.

As tough as it can be to accept it, the fact of the matter is that many of those goals will require money. We have been conditioned to see money as the root of evil. However, money, in and of itself is not inherently good or bad. It is what you DO with money that has the ability to reveal your true character and your intentions. At the end of the day it is really just a TOOL, a means to an end, something that has the potential to increase your QUALITY of life.

When it comes to personal finances, we are expected, by society, to ultimately know how to mange our money, even as it increases in complexity over time. The reality is, however, that most of us are NEVER formally taught this information.

For this reason, I want to share some helpful frameworks that you can use to think about money and personal finances in a more holistic and heart-centered way.

1. Embrace the “Be. Do. Have." Mentality — Our society tends to act in a "Do. Have. Be." fashion. This leaves us so busy doing things we THINK we need to do, to have something we THINK we want, in order to be something we THINK we want to be. In other words, we get so caught up that we actually LOSE ourselves and our happiness in the shuffle of it all. Start where you are and then ask yourself what steps, big or small, you can take that will enable you to have what you are meant to have.

2. Define What a “Rich Life” Means for You — Ask yourself this, “If I had $10,000,000 and 10 years left to live, what would I start doing, and what would I stop doing?” As you answer this, the things that really matter to you will be revealed, enabling you to look at money and life in a new way.

3. "Joy-Based" Spending — The only way to true wealth and financial stability is though having an honest and transparent accounting of your cash flow, and making sure the money you spend is going towards things in life that bring you the most joy. After all, when we spend our money we are spending our literal life’s energy. So, spend wisely in ways that light you up from the inside out, and keep in mind, your internal happiness is NOT dependent on EXTERNAL objects.

Finances are bound to ebb and flow throughout your life, making it even more important for you to frequently pause, take a step back to check-in, and reflect on your overall relationship with money and how this impacts your health.

When you are financially secure, you can experience greater peace of mind in your daily life, and can make decisions that prioritize your well-being, help you to manage your expenses and ultimately reach those goals that you set for yourself. Shifting your thoughts and views around money, and having the courage to face your finances will not only increase your confidence, but also create stability, provide a sense of enhanced security, and lead to improvement in other aspects of your life.

You DON'T have to be perfect to take steps towards creating habits that support the future you envision. Be kind with yourself as you explore this area of your life, stay curious and release any expectations of “having it all figured out.”

Xx,

Leah Kutsch

P.S. Keeping IIN Touch