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3 Eye-opening Truths from My 100+ Person Workshop

When we know WHY we do what we do, everything falls into place. When we don't, we have to push things into place.

I recently ran my first “Aligning your Spending with your Life Values” workshop at work.  

Given I was a relatively last minute replacement and I assumed that “Aligning your spending with your Life Values” is a niche problem that appeals to a niche demographic, my biggest fear was showing up to a turnout of 0 attendees. 

So, when 100+ people dialed into the call, I was surprised by both the number and the engagement. The session was around 90 minutes, I presented my framework for 30 minutes and the remaining hour was dedicated to questions and input.

And, there were a lot of them.

What I heard and saw challenged my own assumptions. 

Here are 3 truths that hit me hard:

  1. We need to expand how we think about money. You might currently have the career, income and success you only dreamed of a few years ago.
    Yet, it’s no longer enough and you feel a nagging misalignment.
    It often stems from this: We've been conditioned to think money is only for "lower tier" needs like food and rent or distant needs like retirement.
    But when it comes to finding Purpose or enabling a Life you’re satisfied with, we focus on how we spend time and energy.
    That's a fundamental misunderstanding. Money is THE most powerful enabler for your "upper value" aspirations like freedom.

  2. This isn't a career stage problem; it's a human problem. I saw people just starting out, fresh into their careers, right alongside seasoned veterans planning retirement. The core anxieties, the desire for clarity, the struggle to make money work for them. It was universal. Everyone is figuring it out, right now.

  3. Most finance content completely misses the human element. Open any finance guide, and it's 80% numbers, spreadsheets, and complex jargon. And yes, the math matters. But what often gets ignored is the messy, deeply emotional, human relationship we have with money. Until you confront your values, your fears, and your genuine desires, no budget, no investment strategy will truly stick. You are not a spreadsheet.

So, what can you actually do about it? Here are my top 3 tips

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back to our top 3 tips:

  1. Define Your Why, First. This is non-negotiable. Stop trying to optimize spending before you know what you're optimizing for. What are your core values? What do "security," "freedom," or "adventure" actually mean to you, financially? Your money needs a mission, defined by your values, not a number on a spreadsheet.

  2. Prioritize the Foundations. Ruthlessly. Emergency fund. Automated investing. These aren't suggestions; they're the bedrock of financial peace and future optionality. Trying to "splurge on what matters" without this foundation is like building a penthouse on quicksand. You need stability before luxury.

  3. Splurge on What Matters, Cut Out the Rest. I’ll say this a million times. This is where most people get it wrong. It's not about deprivation; it's about intentional redirection. Review your spending. If it doesn't align with your defined values or create meaningful memories, it's a candidate for the chopping block. Free up that capital and aggressively reallocate it to what truly fuels your life. No guilt, just strategic allocation.

How I can help:

I can help you align your Spending with your Values through my 4 step process:

  1. Focus: Crystallize your Life Values and turn them into clear, actionable, exciting financial goals

  2. Foundations: Make sure you’re on a solid financial foundation to pursue your goals

  3. Discipline: Create a Guilt-Free Spending budget

  4. Accountability: Email Support for 1 month after each session

If you're ready to finally start making progress towards your most ambitious goals:

  1. Grab the guide: 33% OFF The Busy Beginners' Money Guide to Build Wealth & Spend Guilt Free - A step-by-step way to set up your money for peace of mind + everything I wish I knew about ETF investing.

  2. 1:1 Focused Coaching: Reply to this email and let’s get work together. The first 30 minute Exploration Session is Free and will focus on uncovering your Values (No investment advice). 

The information contained in this newsletter is for general informational purposes only. It should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Please consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.