I remember when payday used to be a mix of excitement and dread. The excitement of seeing that fresh deposit in my account, followed by the sinking feeling as the bills started to eat away at it. It was so easy to think, ‘easy come, easy go,’ or throw out that cringeworthy phrase, ‘I’m broke.’ And I’ll admit, every time I looked at a bill, it felt like an ‘ugh’ moment—just another thing draining my energy and my bank account.
I grew up absorbing the same messages as many: that money is something to be careful with, something scarce, something to be hoarded in fear of loss. Spending was bad, and financial security meant clinging to every dollar. It was a mindset of scarcity and stress. But what if I told you there was a way to break free from that programming? What if, instead of seeing money as something to fear, we viewed every dollar we spent as an investment in ourselves?
This took me a decade of trial and error to figure out, but the lesson is simple: starting small can change everything.
The small decisions, the little shifts in mindset, can create massive transformations over time. Instead of seeing bills as burdens, I began to see them as investments—‘fun coupons,’ ‘joy coupons,’ ‘peace coupons,’ even ‘health coupons.’ My mortgage isn’t just a payment—it’s an investment in a safe, comfortable space for my family, and a place to entertain and host family and friends. Groceries? They fuel my health and energy. My phone bill? It keeps me connected to the people I love.
But here’s the deeper shift: it’s all about priorities.
I prioritize relationships, so what’s important to my family and friends is important to me.
Friends’ trips? Check!
Date nights? Check!
Family vacations? Absolutely.
Soccer and taekwondo for the kids? You bet.
These are non-negotiables because they align with my deepest values. I might say no to other things, but the ones that matter most will always be a ‘yes.’
And what I also had to learn—perhaps the hard way—was to break free from comparison. I know people with many more material possessions than me, they have a bigger house, a nicer car, etc.
And that’s their journey.
I value time freedom, working less, and traveling more. I’m not envious (though maybe I used to be), because I’ve built a life that aligns with what matters to me.
And I’ve let go of the old idea that bigger or more is always better.
It’s easy to get trapped in the belief that unless you’re making big moves, starting small isn’t worth it. But nothing could be farther from the truth. Every small decision, whether it’s spending a little less here or investing a little more there, compounds over time. Small moves build habits—and those habits build the life you truly want.
Here’s what I do now, and you can start this right now too:
- Shift Your Mindset: The next time you see a bill or spend money, pause. Ask yourself, ‘How is this an investment in my life?’ If the answer doesn’t feel good, reassess. Is this expense truly aligned with the life you want to create?
- Reframe Your Spending: Every dollar going out is not a loss; it’s fuel for something. Whether it’s comfort, health, peace, or joy, focus on how each payment is contributing to your life in a meaningful way.
- Do a Quick Audit: Look at one or two expenses that give you that ‘ugh’ feeling. What’s behind that? Can you eliminate it, change it, or find a way to align it with your values? Start small and see what shifts.
- Celebrate the Wins: When you pay a bill or make a purchase that feels aligned, celebrate that. Recognize that you are investing in your health, your peace, your joy—and that every dollar is working to bring you closer to the life you desire.
- Start Small, Think Big: Don’t underestimate the power of small actions. Starting small doesn’t mean settling for less—it’s the foundation for something greater. Small, consistent moves are what lead to lasting change.
This is your challenge: to see every dollar, every bill, every choice as a step toward the life you want. You don’t need to wait for the perfect moment or a huge sum of money. You can start now. Let your spending reflect your priorities, let go of comparison, and break free from the old, fear-based ways of thinking. Your money should be working for you, not against you. Every dollar is an opportunity—an investment in your future, your joy, your peace. Make it count.
What small move could you make today that might seem insignificant but will ripple out into something bigger? It’s time to rethink how we see money, bills, and the life we want to create. One intentional dollar at a time.”
This isn’t just a mindset shift—it’s a life-changing transformation. When you start seeing every dollar as a seed for the life you desire, you stop feeling controlled by money and start using it to fuel your dreams. Let’s make this the moment you take control, one intentional investment at a time.