“How does money make you feel?”

If someone were to ask you that question, how would you answer? Is this a concept you’ve considered before, or ever even heard of?

All of us have a money story, whether we are aware of it or not.

We often think of money as black and white, but that doesn’t really explain our financial decisions. Have you ever completed a financial transaction for an emotional reason? We would argue that most financial decisions actually are emotionally driven.

The reverse of this relationship is true as well. Money isn’t just a bunch of accounts, papers and coins. We live in a society that teaches us to use money as a measure of the worth and value of people. Therefore, it isn’t surprising when our financial choices are influenced by our feelings about ourselves and our lives in that moment.

Don’t fear – all of this isn’t bad news. Being aware of our emotional relationship with money is a very important first step, and that’s the intention behind exploring our money stories.

What is a “money story”?

It is the narrative you have built around money based on your core emotional experiences with money. Starting from a young age, you have observed and experienced financial situations. It likely isn’t even something that was taught to you directly. Think instead about the energy in your home around financial situations like debt, payday, or around the holidays.

As you’ve grown older, you have added to this narrative with your own financial experiences and how they have felt to you, and what you have observed in your peer group.

This story has followed you until today. And if you can take the time to understand it, then you can begin to rewrite it into a story that is helpful for you.

How do I rewrite my money story?

That’s what altruWisdom is here to help you do. We are dedicated to helping members understand the “why” behind their own money beliefs, patterns, choices, and outcomes. This way, they can begin to change them.

We do this work by following a set of principles:

1. Instead of judgment and shame about our past with money, we consider this work a fresh start, a rebirth and renewal of our relationship with money.

2. Instead of asking what our finances should look like, we give ourselves grace and gratitude for what money has done for us and what it can do for us.

3. We ask ourselves, what might change if I can release the past and start over with money? What might I choose to do differently, based on what I know now?

*Adapted by Bari Tessler’s Art of Money

How does altruWisdom help me build a new relationship with money?

We follow our MoneyDialogue methodology to guide you as you reset your own relationship with money.

This includes the following steps:

1. Understanding your money story and early money influences

2. Naming the emotions and physical feelings you experience around money

3. Evaluating your thoughts, feelings, and actions around money

4. Exploring your new goals and intentions in your money life

5. Rewriting your behaviours, patterns, and scripts with money to reach your new goals

6. Creating a plan to move forward on your money journey

MoneyDialogue was created to help you in your journey of looking inward, journaling, and understanding your money story. You can’t hope to improve your relationship with money through judgment and shame. You don’t have to have it all figured out overnight. Instead, choose curiosity, forgiveness, and a commitment to a new, more joyful, and more self-aware financial life. This will come with small steps, compassion, and collaboration with the team you have built around you.