Our hosts Stephanie McCullough and Kevin Gaines discuss the emotional side of money management with Meghan Dwyer, a Certified Financial Planner and the host of the "Money Isn't Scary" Podcast.

Meghan's vision-mission is all about challenging societal norms and empowering women to take charge of their finances with confidence. She helps us uncover the hidden emotional influences that shape our financial decisions and shares her insights on moving from a mindset of fear to one of abundance.

"How we earn our money is emotional," says Meghan. "How we spend our money is emotional. How and why we save our money is emotional."

Our hosts and Meghan explore how our feelings around money are often inherited from past generations. Meghan emphasizes the importance of gaining clarity around, and processing, these emotional roots to make more informed money choices. She discusses the societal pressures of consumerism and the lack of financial education that can leave many feeling anxious or ashamed about their financial literacy.

"Your relationship with money is parallel with your relationship with yourself."

Self-reflection helps us in aligning our financial decisions with personal values. Through practical exercises, Meghan teaches us how to identify our core values—whether it's family, adventure, or otherwise—and ensure our spending aligns with what truly matters to us.

Meghan also stresses the importance of self-compassion, especially when our financial choices don't perfectly align with our values. She encourages us to embrace emotional triggers as tools for growth and to focus on what money can achieve in terms of our values, rather than just its numeric worth.

Key Topics:

• What Stands in Our Way When It Comes to Financial Wellness? (3:34)
• "Money is Emotional!" (12:12)
• Minimizing Overwhelm When Beginning Your Money Healing Journey (19:16)
• The Importance of Knowing Your Values (24:39)
• Rewriting Our Money Stories and Beliefs (32:21)
• Avoiding the Comparison Trap (40:20)
• Stephanie and Kevin's Key Takeaways (43:00)

Resources:

• Money Isn't Scary Podcast
• Money Isn't Scary Website

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You can find the transcript and more information about this episode at www.takebackretirement.com.

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