What I learned about money in 2020

2020 has been a tough year for people especially financially however it was also a time when we could slow down, reflect, learn and appreciate what we do have. I used the time to challenge myself and expand.

Although I am great at managing my money and I teach other people how to keep more of their income and achieve financial goals using an improved money management system, I like everyone else have money stories and limiting beliefs that don’t serve me.

These stories and beliefs can make it difficult to achieve my own goals and because of that I keep myself open to uncovering these internal limitations and then transforming them into something that serves me and my family.
Recently I hosted an online event addressing the topic of “How to overcome the struggle with money and finally achieve your goals.” During the search for expert speakers for the event I met Sarah McCrum, author of Love Money, Money Loves You. From this interview and reading her book, I learned 3 important things.

Is Money Limited?
Like many people I know, I grew up with the perception that money is limited and that hard work is the only way to receive even small amounts of money. During the interview with Sarah (watch here) I gained a true understanding (from the heart not intellectually) that money is unlimited and why.
Until that point, I genuinely didn’t see the fact that all the $100, $20, $10 are never used up, it just changes hands and keeps circling.

What had money ever done for me?
Now here is a concept I had also never considered. How could money have done anything for me? Wasn’t it just something I wrestled with and fought to control? Isn’t that the way it was meant to be?
After reading Sarah’s book (Chapter 12) I see how faulty my belief was. The pursuit of money has made me step way beyond what I would have, had it just landed in my lap. I would never have stepped outside my comfort zone- way, way out of it in fact. This has led to the creation of something new and valuable for many and given me a sense of achievement and self-confidence.
So I found myself actually thanking money (first time ever) for helping me expand past that girl who was terrified of rejection, distrustful of people and their motives and scared of potential conflict.

The joy of money
And lastly (for now) I gained a realisation of the joy that the money I have had/earned has provided me. For my most of my life I’ve inadvertently put my attention on what the absence of enough money has left me without when in fact if I had stopped and looked, I would have noticed all the things money has given me

• The delicious food in my fridge and cupboard
• A cozy bed to rest in every night
• A comfortable car to get around in
• The smartphone I rely so much on
• The ability to go out to dinner with friends
• To pleasure of travelling to different countries
• Fun experiences

Once my eyes had been opened, everywhere I look around my home, I see the wonderful opportunities money has afforded me from relaxing on the lounge watching TV to photographic evidence of the heart warming experiences I have enjoyed with my family and friends.
In Love Money, Money Loves you, Chapter 58 it talks about making friends with money, to create a best friend relationship with money. This was something I was not sure how I would tackle given my wrestle and control approach however I was willing to give it a try and now it does feel like a caring friend to me.

Take care of money
As a Spending Planner, I advocate for finding and using a money management system that can easily grow and adapt to your changes in circumstances because if you pay attention to your money, be honest, know where you are headed then your odds of success are dramatically higher!
It is also essential to uncover your money blocks and heal them. Read books on the subject, watch interviews, have inspired conversations about new concepts and work with people who can help you access your unconscious limited beliefs. 

If you work with money, it will work with you!