Money is a tool to build the life you want

I believe money is our most valuable partner in creating and living a richer life — a life of greater value, meaning, and purpose.

Money, in and of itself, is neutral. It has no meaning until we give it meaning, no value until we assign it value, and no purpose until we determine its purpose. How we choose to earn, spend, save, borrow, and give money away illuminates its value, meaning, and purpose to us.

When we are mindful of our choices, they reflect back to us our conscious intentions. When we use money mindlessly, our choices mirror our unconscious beliefs, attitudes, fears, and habits.

If we want to experience harmony in our relationship with money, we need to align it with our vision for our life and our most deeply held values.

Money is a tool, not the goal. It’s not about how much we have — it’s about how we use what we have.

Shifting our mindset to see money this way opens up new possibilities. When we're intentional about using money in service to living a richer life, our actions allow us to truly take care of ourselves.

Being mindful of each transaction — taking time to discern whether it supports the life we've imagined — helps us make more intentional choices. Every positive choice allows us to experience more of what we want.

Stop reading for a moment and ask yourself, "If money is a tool, how do I want to use it?"

PAUSE. Take a few breaths in and out, and ask again. Write down anything that comes up.

Pausing and reflecting on this question allows you the opportunity to define what’s important to you — your values. It gives you the space and time to get clear about the lifestyle you desire - your vision.

Using money as a tool means being mindful about how you use what you have.

It means aligning your financial decisions with your vision and values, having a plan and honoring it by prioritizing yourself, your needs, and your wants. It means spending on the people, experiences, and things that are meaningful to you. It means saving for your dreams and investing in your future.

What do you want to build?

That is the big question!

What is your vision for your life?

How do you want to spend your time and your money?

Take time to sit with these questions and get clear about what's important to you. Start by identifying the experiences and things that are fun, meaningful, and fulfilling to you. Jot down your dreams for the future. Create a list and add to it. If you're visual, make a vision board.

Practicing Mindful Choices

Choose to be mindful from this point forward. Each time you interact with money, check in with yourself to determine if you're using it as a tool to honor yourself and your vision, or if you're working against yourself and what you say you value. Be honest.

Each time you choose in favor of yourself, you reinforce your ability to use money as a tool to build the life you want. Acknowledge yourself!

Each time you do the opposite of what you say you want, you reinforce old reactions and responses that keep you from living the life you envision.

When this happens, notice how it feels. Be curious and compassionate with yourself — using money as a tool to transform old habits takes time. Learn from your reactions and choose differently next time.

You are building the life you want with every choice you make.

Be intentional. Use money as a tool to create and live the life you want — one choice at a time.