I’ve been in the accounting field for 38 years, and here’s what I know with absolute certainty:
When my clients give money a purpose in their lives by aligning their finances with what they value—family, self-care, freedom, or making a difference in the world—it always brings financial peace, and leads to real financial freedom.
What Does Attaching Money to Values Mean Exactly?
It’s about ensuring that your spending, saving, investing, and giving reflect your core values and top priorities. You align your financial decisions and actions with what you deeply care about and believe in. It starts with identifying your core values. These might include:
- Family: Prioritizing your family’s well-being and future.
- Courage: Taking bold steps to secure financial freedom and stability.
- Kindness: Being generous and helping others through charitable contributions.
- Love: Investing in experiences and items that bring joy to you and your loved ones.
- Legacy: Planning for long-term impacts, such as leaving an inheritance or supporting community projects.
Once We Identify What We Value, Then We Connect It to Our Financial Plan Here are some simple steps to begin that journey:
- Reflect on Your Values: Jot down your top values and think about how they influence your financial goals. If you’re not sure what your values are, here’s a link to Brené Brown’s list of values. You’ll be blown away at how many there are. Make a list of 6–-10 you connect with, then narrow it down to your top two or three. [Brené Brown’s List of Values] (https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/)
- Set Goals That Matter: Now, take your list of values and, as best you can, align them with your financial goals. What do you care about most? Whether it’s saving for that dream trip, investing in something meaningful, supporting a charity, or eliminating debt, it’s all about what feels right to you.
- Spend with Purpose: Our money has power. Spending our money on purpose, in ways that reflect our values, helps us spend mindfully. For example, the products we purchase support the companies that produce them. Do those companies align with our values? If not, find others that do.
- Celebrate Wins: Celebrate each small step you take toward aligning your finances with your values. You know you have wins because you feel better! Flowers, a walk on the beach, or a warm bubble bath can acknowledge you stepped into the ring with courage and made progress. This step is a way to value yourself and your bravery!
- Find Support: Having a community that shares your values makes a huge difference. Whether it’s chatting with friends about financial goals or seeking advice from a pro, support is golden. Hey, you can join the FB Group Attract Prosperity here and tell us about what you value!
When we take proactive money action steps, we not only gain control over our finances but also infuse our money with meaning. This process of value-driven planning and action can lead to a sense of empowerment, inner peace, and yes—extreme joy. I’ve seen it in action with my clients, and I’ve experienced it myself.
Have You Ever Thought About How Much Bravery It Takes to Make a New Money Plan?
Let’s face it, money can push every fear button we have because it supports our survival, and without it, we’d be hungry and homeless. So deciding to make a new plan based on values is a brave act. You’re pulling up your bootstraps, putting your money where your mouth is, and walking the talk.
That is bravery in action.
Interestingly enough, bravery itself is a value, just like courage, integrity, love, vulnerability, respect, and perseverance. Values are powerful, especially when we see how they work in our lives.
When we connect our money with our core values, money management becomes easier. We are motivated and intentional around our money, our decisions are clearer, and we have increased satisfaction because we can see our plan working.
The best thing? Money management starts to feel more fun, purposeful, and less like a chore.
And remember my motto: It’s never about the money; it’s about building a life that brings you joy.
