Have you ever considered the “money story” of your life? In it, are you a victim? A victor? A bystander? A recipient?
Each of us has a different story; and even better, we can choose to change that story.
Just finished the book “Money, a Memoir: Women, Emotions and Cash” by Liz Perle.
The book would be appreciated most by women of all ages. Even though the woman writing the book is from a different generation (she’s a baby boomer), I can see a lot of similarities in the emotional issues she faced and those that many of my peers face. Do you choose a traditional path? A career path? How do you juggle both? [Side note: that partly explains why women are starting businesses 2 to 1 over men].
But back to what we tell ourselves about our money. For example, here are some stories I used to tell myself:
* People who care about money management are shallow, boring, or conservative.
* I am terrible at numbers  so there is no way I could ever understand enough to manage my money.
* I am a creative person and therefore I shouldn’t make money. Making money will diminish or influence my creative output.
Yet, over time I’ve changed these little self-stories:
* People who care about money management are responsible, independent, and exist across the political spectrum.
* Basic math is all I need. Managing my money significantly reduces my stress level.
* I am a creative person and I deserve to be paid because I can do what others cannot do easily or do well. Money itself has no way of diminishing or changing the root of who I am. I choose whether or not money influences my creative output.
What are yours?
September 26th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Did the graphic mean to say “The story of my fiances” or “finances”? Either way, lots of spending and money management involved!!!!
September 26th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
HA! Yes, indeed! It was supposed to be “financesâ€?, but hey, “fiances” sounds much more juicy and intriguing! Thanks for the spell-check.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Aren’t our money stories powerful??? I love how you changed yours! Thanks for sharing.
I too always recommend Liz’s book! First, because she interviewed me for the book (LOL) But really, Liz’s book is a must read for women. Thanks for spreading the word.
Barbara Stanny, author “Prince Charming Isn’t Coming:How Women Get Smart About Money.”
http://www.barbarastanny.com
April 17th, 2009 at 2:29 am
Click here….
Nice site. Check out this one sometime……