ON MONEY
Image: Adjustable Table E1027 by Eileen Gray und Bell Coffee Table by Sebastian Herkner
Money is a hot topic. Not just hot in terms of “trending” or making headlines but hot because it tends to raise the heat whenever it's talked about. Considered one of the most taboo topics (next to sex AND they share they same chakra), money is something we are taught to never discuss and if it's talked about, it's usually in a negative light.
However, money is embedded in almost every single aspect of our lives. And very unfortunately, despite this, it's not something that is really taught to us from a young age or even a subject at school (which would effing help us immensely…). Considering this, learning about money and the language of money is a powerful way to help us feel more empowered, more confident, and in control of our lives.
Most of our beliefs about the world are formed in our minds by the age of 7. Our brains are like a sponge, taking in everything we see and hear around us, consciously and unconsciously. Unfortunately, growing up, most of us weren't taught or shown how to view finances in a way that helped us have healthy habits and relationships with money so we could feel empowered, rather than disempowered.
This was the case for me. I came from a background with two conflicting views on money, which ultimately clashed with one another. As I grew up, these two views clashed inside of my own head too. I wanted more from life but I had such a bad relationship with money that I felt totally lost around it, completely insecure in my finances and swept it all under the rug to hide my guilt and shame.
Until one day, it ruined a relationship.
And that was the day I realized it was time for me to start to take control of my own life, in many different areas, and finally make a change. Because nothing changes, if nothing changes…
Over the last few years, I not only got serious about cleaning up my finances but also about my own money story. Five years later, I own my own business (something I NEVER thought I would do), I understand my finances much better, and what I don't understand I know what to do and how to handle the unknown. Essentially, I have learned how to take care of me and that is really one of the ultimate forms of self-care.
I recently listened to a podcast on Marie Forleo with Daymond John, best-selling author, entrepreneur and Shark Tank Investor, called, What Rich People Teach Their Kids About Money. I was personally inspired by the title because after all, what we're really up to when we want to work on our money stories as adults is re-teach ourselves about it in a way a loving parent would.
The episode happened to be next as I was listening to my daily Marie an I am SO glad I listened! John shares a story on how because the topic of money is so taboo, even when he began to make lots of it, he still had so much learning to do.
One day, one he went to the bank to discuss his finances and they began talking to him in a way they assumed he understood, as a man who was making millions. He had to stop them and ask them to explain. Even though he was making big time money, there was still a whole lot he didn't understand, he explained, because no one taught him. And no one taught him because we're all taught to not talk about it! And that's what happens when we spend our whole lives not talking about money or learning how to use it as a powerful tool.
Just hearing that story was such a powerful reminder that it's not our fault we don't know what we don't know! However, it is our responsibility, if we want to make a change, to start to ask questions and learn how to do things, even if we feel silly and like we should already know.
So, what if, step by step, we could learn to re-imagine a life, TOGETHER, where we feel empowered and in control of our finances and financial freedom becomes a reality? That's something we're curious about over at Benshen.co and invite you to dive in with us too…
"Financial wholeness is when all aspects of your financial life are working together for your greatest good, your biggest benefit, and your richest life."
— TIFFANY ALICHE
FINANCE EXPERT + FOUNDER OF THE BUDGETNISTA
Image: Étienne Fermigier
Q: WHAT ARE THE TOP BOOKS ON MONEY?
I get asked this question ALL the time! There are so many resources out there but here's the thing: we don't have to learn it ALL, all at once. There are a few resources that can help us get started and create a STRONG foundation, as long as we read the books and DO the practices within them.
Here is a short list of books to start working through the rest of the year. Reading these and applying the lessons, step-by-step, (which is such a great action step to implement into your monthly BENSHEN COURSE vision), can create powerful change in a very short period of time. I KNOW this list seems short - trust me, I am one of those people who wants to know and read it ALL. But I promise if you start here and work through these books, some major shifts just may start to unfold….
MONEY, A LOVE STORY by KATE NORTHRUP
GET GOOD WITH MONEY by TIFFANY ALICHE
YOU ARE A BADASS AT MAKING MONEY by JEN SINCERO
I WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO BE RICH by RAMIT SETHI
CREATING MONEY by SANAYA ROMAN
“Money and sex. Everyone wants more of them, but we’re not supposed to talk about either.”