Harris: Rewriting Your Money Love Story

By Charlestien Harris

Have you ever wondered about the origins of your money habits and how they contribute to the relationship you currently have with your finances? Often, we find ourselves questioning why we manage our money in a certain way or where these habits originated. One explanation I can offer is to reflect on your earliest memories of exposure to money. While we may try to keep these thoughts in our minds, putting them down in writing can provide clarity and help us keep better track of our finances.

You might be wondering, what exactly is a money story? It is the connection between the amount of money you possess and its impact on your physical, mental, and social well-being, shaping your financial health and wellness. At the core of this connection lies your money story and all the experiences that have brought you to your current financial state. 

To gain a better understanding of why you handle your money the way you do, there are steps you can take to learn how to write (or rewrite) your money story. Let’s explore those steps.

1. Decide which money topic you want your story to revolve around. Before you can execute your entire financial plan, consider which past money event has played a role in shaping the money habits you now exhibit as an adult. Questions like whether your parents lived on a budget, had a savings plan, maintained an emergency fund, visited financial institutions regularly, or invested in the stock market can provide a starting point.
2. Envision what “happily ever after” looks like for you. Just as we desire storybook endings for our love stories, everyone’s view of “the good life” differs. Success involves more than just adhering to a spending plan. Understanding the origins and feelings associated with your money habits can shed light on why you manage your money the way you do. Developing a money story takes time, and rushing through it defeats the purpose of gaining a better understanding of your relationship with money and your expectations for financial wellness.
3. Look for details aligning with your values and personal storyline. Your value system was likely shaped by the money environment you were exposed to early on. Understanding where and how your value system was formed goes a long way in helping you manage your finances better. Explore factors such as cultural beliefs, social status, personal values, attitudes, biases, level of knowledge, and perceptions to guide you in rewriting your money story.
4. Consider what changes you would make to rewrite your family’s money story. Making changes is not always easy and can cause anxiety, but weighing your options can ensure success in rewriting your story. Reflect on what you liked and didn’t like about how your parents handled money. Comparing the two can potentially save you time and money.
5. Evaluate whether your new money story alters your future financial outlook. Did you set new goals or modify existing ones during this process? Consider how these changes will impact the accomplishment of your financial goals and influence your thoughts about the future. Asking yourself these questions will help you discover your real money story and assist in creating a new or adjusted one.

Your relationship with money and how you approach saving, budgeting, and spending can significantly influence your behavior and financial situation. To break bad habits and shift your perspective, identify what may be keeping your finances off track and reflect on adopting a new money story. Taking charge of your finances involves transforming your mindset, eliminating poor habits, identifying long-term goals, and outlining ways to achieve them. 

Rewriting your money story with these tips can help you understand your money habits and their origins. Don’t give up – get back on track with your finances and, with some hard work, successfully rewrite your money story to reflect the new narrative you’ve written for your financial future. Fall in love with your finances all over again by creating a new money love story for future generations.

For additional information on this and other financial topics, visit our blog at banksouthern.com/blog, email me at Charlestien.Harris@banksouthern.com, or call me at 662-624-5776.

Until next week – stay financially fit!

Charlestien Harris is a financial contributor. She is a financial expert with Southern Bancorp Community Partners whose articles are seen in a number of publications around the region.