"Always be bigger than your money.”

I think the best explanation for this quote is if we allow money to stir emotions of anger, greed, fear, or even joy, in that moment, we have allowed money to become bigger than ourselves.

We have become money’s servant.

Why Managing Your Money Starts With Your Emotions

Consider your own money story.
Reflect on recent money experiences, too.
Conduct a body check-in.
Find your own calming techniques.
Address your debt.
Forgive yourself for past mistakes.

Money can trigger strong emotional reactions, which can lead to not-so-great decisions, like missing payments or overspending. A new wave of books urges people to explore their emotional connections to money in order to make better financial decisions.

A recent study revealed that 90% of our money decisions are based on our emotions. We need to be understanding of what our money emotions are so we can not just feel overwhelmed or try to run away.

Consider your own money story

Over our 17 years of providing financial advice, we discovered that many people felt shame for having money, guilt over having more than their parents, and regret over earlier financial decisions.

So many people are holding painful stories about money — confusing, troubling experiences with money. So many of us were trying to work all this out on our own, and that was keeping us from getting support.

Our Newcastle Financial Planners encourage readers to explore their own money stories — those experiences, often in childhood, that influenced how they think about money. We want them to find at least one story that they’re holding onto about money, one memory or fundamental idea that has been shaping their lives about abundance or scarcity, and go from there. How do you want to change that story now?

Changing that story could result in concrete shifts in spending. For example, if you grew up watching your parents overspend without saving, then you might have to teach yourself how to budget & how to save.

Money Questions

We use these following questions with our clients to support them on their financial journey.

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email

1. What does money mean to you?

2. What is your first memory of money?

3. What was your grandparent's relationship with money? What was the world like when they grew up? What money habits did they pass to your parents?

4. What was your parent's relationship with money?

5. The feelings in your home growing up: about spending money? about saving money? about giving money away?

6. Do you remember hearing your parents talk about (fight about) money?

7. How does that shape your relationship with money?

8. What are you scared of when it comes to money?

9. How much do you consider time and taxes when thinking about earning money and investment?

What are your reasons for seeking advice?

What are the main things stopping you from achieving these yourself?

Alternatives

Sometimes these questions are not enough.

Some of our Newcastle Financial Planners have undertaken Hypnotherapy & Timeline therapy to ensure they have unblocked any of their money stories or money beliefs that have been holding them back.

We recommend a few providers in this space and understand this is not for everyone.

Should you have any questions, reach our to our Newcastle Financial Planners.