It's never about money, it's about your life.

I'm always saying 'it's never about the money, it's about your life.'

Managing money is really just managing an amount of energy and possibility that we can use in the world to contribute to our quality of life, joy, and fulfillment. That's why it can sometimes be so difficult to make spending decisions, even for the most expert of budgeters.

For me this month, the hardest 'financial' decision I made was whether to send my toddlers to daycare/school for another day per week. Could I afford it? Yes. Was it going to free up more time for my partner and I to take care of our property, get exercise, and work more? Yes. However, the first time the opportunity to add a day came up a few months ago, we turned it down.

I found myself having the hardest time making the decision. I even reached out to a group of friends who were parents to ask them what they thought I should do, even though I knew the only way to make the decision confidently was to take the time to pause and reflect on what I really wanted, and what would be best for my family. I had kids just before the 'c word' happened, which was part of why I spent so much time with them their first 2.5 years of life (which I am so grateful for). However, I was coming up against a ton of mama guilt and limiting beliefs about how much free time I 'deserved,' or how much I should work as a parent if I didn't absolutely need to.

The truth is, I LOVE my work, and after sitting with the decision myself for some time I realized it would be a benefit to our whole family if we had more time to recharge, take care of ourselves, and feel as on-top-of things as a twin toddler parent can. Now that I've made the decision, I am so excited about what that money is going to be able to do for us, and how much more energy I will have to make the most out of the time I am with my kids.

Some of my clients struggle with reigning in their spending, because their consistent habits don't result in the type of financial traction and success they really want.

Other clients struggle with giving themselves permission to spend their money at all, no matter how financially secure they are, how much savings they have piled up, or how much more they are making than they ever used to. This is usually because they have ingrained beliefs about what they deserve, what is practical vs indulgent. Most of these limiting beliefs come from our upbringing, and we don't even know they are there. It's these thoughts that often leave us asking others to give us permission to spend money on what we really want.

My suggestion to you this week is to take a fresh look at your budget and think about what would MOST improve your quality of life. Is it freeing up time? Hiring someone to take something off your plate, such as house cleaning or landscaping? Saving more for a weekend away with your friends or family? Finding a therapist?

Next, think about if you're craving someone to give you permission to spend your money on what it is you most value.

The this is the case, I'm happy to be the one to give you the permission slip! And, or, perhaps you just need to take some time to sit quietly, without distraction, and tell yourself whatever it is you need to hear to move forward or know you deserve it.

The Big Leap

This post is partly inspired by having read “The Big Leap” this week. I enrolled in a training last year where all participants were mailed a copy. At first it seemed very cheesy (as most best-sellers do), so I didn't take the time to ready it all. However, now I am glad I did. The gist is that it is vulnerable to let ourselves succeed -- in relationships, in work, in health, or any aspect of our lives. We are usually the ones limiting our own happiness, and it takes work to practice gratitude for all that we have while being committed to living a fuller, more joyful life.

So - What could be possible for you if you managed your money more intentionally?

-Emily