My Relationship With Money

My relationship with money has been very similar to my various relationships with people. Its like that friend that you don't talk to everyday but when you do you start off right where you left off. Similarly money never changes. Wherever you were with it, positive or negative, is where you remain -- unless you make a decision to change it. Like that tumultuous relationship you keep trying to make it work. You know what I am talking about. You have all your “tools” and you think the other person is fixable or if only you can tweak this and that it would be perfect. However, the more you try to adjust, the more resistance you get, the more you lose yourself and it just doesn’t work. Money is similar, the more you try to make it fit into a box, the more it rebels, the more you fight it the more you lose. 

For most of my life I was in a losing battle with money. Not because i wanted to be, just because I lacked understanding. Being brought up in survival mode there are rarely discussions about money. Money comes in and money goes out. Usually money goes out faster and more readily than it comes in. That started me on an unhealthy relationship with money.

Many fail to understand their relationship with money affects their everyday decisions. Not recognizing where you stand, the negative and positive views you have towards money can cause detrimental harm to your present and future. Good news is this can be rectified in 4 simple steps. 

1. Acknowledgment- take the time to look at your past. What was your parent’s relationship with money and how is that affecting your current decisions?

2. Assess - sit down and assess your current financial situation. What negative and positive habits are you displaying?

3. Analyze  - Understand your situation and know that it can change. Research and picture your ideal relationship with money.

4. Action - Make a plan to change your relationship with money. Make positive adjustments and have a positive outlook. 

And there you have it. Your relationship with money is thriving in a positive direction. 

~Chantae

Wife, Mother of 4, Writer, Educator & Entrepreneur