Money is more than a medium of exchange

Money intersects our lives on a constant basis and challenges us to make decisions in our best interests. These decisions affect not only ourselves but people around us including family, friends, and organizations with whom we elect to do business.

We all hate to talk about money. Why? Because it can result in a jumble of emotions that include guilt, shame, fear, and anger.

Money reflects values. Budgets, credit card and checking account statements reveal our conscious priorities and give us clues as to our unconscious motivations. And these records sometimes conflict with what we proclaim to be our true values.

Wealth is frequently confused with money. Wealth is a state of mind in which money plays only one role. Confusing these two concepts can lead to a life of unhappiness and dissatisfaction.

What money means to you personally

What does money have to do with who you are? Why is money important to you? Note this focuses on how you feel about money, not what you know about it.

Do you feel that dealing with money intrudes on the real purpose of your life?

As a child, what did your parents teach you or say to you about money? Were there differences between your father and mother when it came to feelings and ideas about money? Did they even talk about money?

What is your most painful and most joyful money memory? How did these experiences influence your feelings about money? Do you continue to make choices based on these earlier experiences?

When you purchase something do you experience gratitude or are you resentful that you might have paid too much, that you might have been taken, or that you’re a victim of financial forces beyond your control? What does your answer to this suggest?

What is your greatest financial fear, and to what extent does that influence your attitudes towards money?

Does taking a few minutes to reflect on these questions change anything about how you have dealt with money in the past?

What, and who, do you want your money to serve?

Family, friends, charities, education, spiritual needs? How well aligned are your goals and values with your financial circumstances?

If you were told today you had a limited time to live would you make any changes based on your goals and values? If so, why not make them today?

What, if anything, are you willing to do differently in the future when it comes to dealing with money?

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