Our relationship with money is often an inherited heirloom of complicated beliefs and views that can indeed plague us throughout our lives. We grow up either viewing money as a savior or the root of all evil. But the fact is, money is neither. It is a currency that enables us to engage in society, but it has as much value as we place upon it.
The duality that money represents makes it hard for some of the population to earn, maintain, and spend balance successfully. Our beliefs and inherited tapes can enable and disable our ability to sustain a balanced relationship with money, which is why money has become so many the root of all evil.
The key to having a relationship with money is understanding what it represents to you as an individual. If money represents power and freedom, you might find yourself diving into the deep end of the pool just to obtain loads of money. If it represents greed or evil, you might find yourself struggling to earn your worth.
Money does not have to represent extremes; it can merely be a currency of energy exchange. To help you create a balance, you first need to understand the role money means for you. Here are a few questions to help you identify your relationship with money.
- Security
- Stability
- Power
- Access to goods
- Respect
- Social status
- Freedom
- Ability to support others
- Fun and entertainment
Now, how much money do you believe you need to obtain any of the above? And can you receive some of the above without cash? What would be an ideal amount of money to get you what you want? And what would happen if you got what you wanted?
The key to creating a healthy relationship with money is to develop a balance between needs and wants. Learning how to distinguish what money truly represents in your life will provide you with better-coping tools. For starters, here is a way to improve your relationship with money:
- Change your money attitude: The key to having a healthy relationship with money is an attitude more than quantity. Can you see the value of money and how it can be helpful and useful?
- Let go of negative associations: Money is not the root of all evil. People with bad intentions use the money to obtain their goals. Money is only a tool that can be used or misused depending on the person using it.
- Modify your views on goal attainment: Money is not the only want to obtain your goals. To obtain your goals, you need clear and detailed plans of action which include several factors that do not require money
- Invest in your creative thinking: When you expand your creative thinking skills, you can create non-money related opportunities. In broaden your views, you learn to have a healthier relationship with money that is not limiting.
- Expand your thinking: Get acquainted with Youtube, Google, or Pinterest to help you connect to tons of useful and free resources available in various fields.
- No money no problem: Brainstorm solutions rather than assume everything needs to be resolved with money
- Money does have a useful purpose: Though I encourage you to think outside the money box, I am not suggesting money is useless. I am merely encouraging you not to feel like it is the only way to solve problems or have fun.
- There is no need to spend every dime: It is ok to save a little and spend a little Just because you have a little money in your pocket does not mean you have to get rid of it; it is ok to save for a rainy day
- Spend with joy: When you spend money, make sure you do it on something that brings you joy and fulfills a need.
- Help your money grow: Learn to invest your money, so work does not become the only way to make money
- Treat your savings like a bill. Put a percentage of your income into a saving and investment account
- Create a budget: Design a budget that allows you to monitor your money because we often spend money without realizing it.
- Create saving goals: Saving with a purpose helps commit to your savings goal more effectively.
- Create a budget: Budgets allow you to manage your money and prevent you from overspending on unnecessary items. It also helps reduce the urgency to get rid of the evil money in your pocket.
- Learn about money enhancements: Use Google to create a list of available resources in your community, as well as tips for improving your investments and budget goals
- Spend wisely: Just because you grew up thinking money was evil does not mean you need to burn through it. If you plan on spending your money, spend it on things worth it and not objects that fall apart.
- No need to be broke: Keep in mind, wanting to save is not evil, and it does not make you greedy. It’s ok to have money in the bank, your pocket, or a cookie jar.
It provides you with emergency funds for situations such as fixing valuable equipment, i.e., car, computer phone, maintaining a safe place of residence, and facilitating your life with minimal struggles. On the other hand, wanting excessive amounts will not provide you with peace and comfort, mostly if material goods are obtained for status symbols and make you stand out amongst your peers. The truth is, money will not buy you happiness, only temporary satisfaction.
Copyright © 2020 R. Castro
Holistic Coaching 