Examine Your Relationship with Money

Each person's current financial habits are largely the result of what we learned (or didn’t learn) about money growing up.

Your financial behavior (how you earn, spend, save and share funds) determines your financial circumstances. This in turn makes your relationship with your money one of the most important relationships in your life. Here is what it looks like:

Your relationship with your money developed during childhood and adolescence: it was influenced by your family, financial experiences, religion, culture, society, gender, sexuality and many other factors.

Your primary caregivers and/or mentors modeled for you most of your financial thinking, beliefs and behaviors. You learned the lessons you were taught – both consciously and unconsciously. These lessons, consequently became the foundation for your current thoughts, feelings and attitudes about money. They continue to drive your relationship and actions with your money today.

Early life money lessons are shaped by whether you grew up in a family where money was a problem; where the adults struggled to make ends meet; where you felt safe and protected financially or you lived in poverty; and where money was even discussed. Avoiding any financial responsibilities gives your past control of your present and allows it to become a prelude to your future.

If you're interested in exploring how your family of origin influenced your attitude toward money, book a session with Groundswell therapist or seek out a service called financial therapy. When your desire for and commitment to change are both high, you are able to develop new, healthier money habits. As you understand which habits prevent you from achieving your goals, you will resist slipping back into past, less helpful habits.