Money Mindset + Spilled Coffee - What's the connection?

"Rich isn't an amount of money, it's a mindset about how you live. If you believe you can win, you can." ~ Dave Ramsey

Insights from a Certified Money Coach:

Money Mindset and spilled coffee - what's the connection?

What's In Your Financial Cup?

Okay, so let me set the scene here. Imagine this: you're holding a cup of your favourite drink (mine would probably be something ridiculous like a triple-shot oat flat white because apparently, that’s who I am now). You're feeling good, cruising along through your day, when—BAM—someone bumps into you. Maybe it’s one of those people who walk while scrolling on their phone. Or maybe you’re just a klutz like me (seriously, I’ve walked into doors). Either way, your drink goes flying, all over the place.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting (stay with me). Why did you spill it?

If you’re like me, your first reaction would be something like, “Because that person bumped me! Ugh, how rude!” But actually… nope. That’s not why.

You spilled it because of what was inside the cup.

If it had been water, you'd have spilled water. If it had been coffee, you'd have spilled coffee. If it had been my go-to oat flat white, well, I'd probably be on my hands and knees crying over spilled milk (literally).

The point is this: what’s inside your cup is what comes out when you get shaken.

Now let’s talk about money.

Ladies, if you’ve ever been knocked off course on your financial journey—and let’s be real, we all have—you already know how this goes. You’re working hard on your savings goals, nailing your budget, maybe even feeling kinda smug about how on top of things you are. And then, BAM. Life bumps into you.

Maybe it’s an unexpected car repair or one of those sneaky bills you forgot about. Or maybe it’s something bigger—a career curveball, a tough family situation, or one of those weeks where EVERYTHING feels like it’s spiralling.

What spills out of your “financial cup” in those moments?

If I’m being brutally honest, for me, it used to be panic. And frustration. And, yep, that little voice in my head saying, “See? You’re just not good with money. Why even bother?” (That voice is the worst, isn’t it? I call mine Brenda. Brenda is terrible.)

Here’s the thing though—those setbacks, those financial bumps in the road? They aren’t going anywhere. Life will shake your cup from time to time. And that’s okay. What matters is what spills out when it does.

Do you respond with resilience and a plan to get back on track?Or do you let fear, shame, and overwhelm take over?

And more importantly, what are you doing now to fill your financial cup with the good stuff?

Because here’s what I’ve learned: building a strong money mindset isn’t about pretending life won’t throw curveballs at you. It’s about preparing yourself for when it does. It’s about filling your financial cup with things like:

• Knowledge (because no one is born knowing how to manage money—it’s a skill, and you CAN learn it).

• Clarity (knowing your goals and your “why” can be a beacon when the road gets rough).

• Self-compassion (because beating yourself up for every mistake is not the vibe).

• Flexibility (like, yes, the budget is important, but sometimes life just does its thing).

So, what’s in your financial cup right now?

If you’ve been spilling fear, frustration, or Brenda-style negativity when life shakes things up, I want you to know this: you’re not alone. But you can choose to start filling your cup with something different.

Alright, let’s have a little brainstorm – how can we shake things up and do things differently? I promise I’ll keep this short-ish... well, I’ll try. You know me, I can get a touch carried away with all my enthusiasm on this topic, but read on brave one! I promise it's worth it. Probably. But anyway, money. Let’s dig in.

1. Surround yourself with people who “get” money.

Do you have some gloomy penny-pinchers hanging about? You know the ones – always stressed, always “too broke,” forever seeing money as this big, scary monster under the bed? Maybe it’s time to gently reassess those connections. That doesn’t mean cutting people off completely (I mean, we’re not savages), but maybe nudging your circle in a different direction. Seek out those who have a healthy, positive money mindset – the kind of people who inspire you, support you, and cheer you on as you chase your own financial dreams. Think of it like planting your garden with mates who flourish in sunlight rather than ones who wither in the weeds.

2. Be a forever student. Honestly, it makes all the difference.

You don’t need a fancy degree or a wall full of certificates to get better with money. Trust me, I’ve got a few of those qualifications myself, and let me tell you – they didn’t stop me from making a couple of spectacularly bad decisions... whoops. But here’s the thing: learning is everywhere. Wander over to your local library and borrow a book (libraries are underrated havens of brilliance, no?). Dive into blogs like this one. Find a podcast or two – maybe something you can listen to while walking or folding your Mount Everest of laundry. Education is a world of opportunity, and there are countless ways to broaden your money mindset without spending a cent. It’s like watching the sunrise – at first, it’s subtle, but the more you take it in, the brighter it gets.

3. Get real with yourself. Like, really real.

This one’s probably the hardest, but it’s where the magic starts. Take a deep, shaky breath and ask yourself: Where am I right now with money? Am I truly happy with how I think about it or handle it? Be honest. Brutally honest, even. It’s not about the size of your bank account or how “good” or “bad” you think you’ve been – it’s about looking at your mindset as it is today and deciding where you’d like it to be tomorrow. Vulnerability is tough, I know. It feels a bit like standing in the middle of a storm, hoping the clouds will part. But once you lay it all out there – the good, the bad, the downright embarrassing – you can start making little shifts. Tiny, intentional steps that line up with the better, healthier money relationship you’re aiming for.

And here’s the hopeful bit: small changes? They add up. Just like tiny seeds can grow into the tallest trees, the little things you do now can completely transform your money mindset over time. You’ve got this. Truly.

It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s like planting a garden (there’s my gentle little nature reference for you). You don’t fill your cup in one day, and sometimes, you’ll have to pull out some weeds along the way. But the more you nurture it, the stronger and steadier it will become.

And the next time life bumps into you? You’ll surprise yourself. Instead of panic, maybe what spills out is calm. Instead of shame, maybe it’s problem-solving. Instead of giving up, maybe it’s the quiet confidence of knowing, I’ve got this.

Because you do. ✨

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to clean up whatever I just metaphorically spilled while writing this. Probably oat milk. Again.

Okay, I’ll wrap it up now before this turns into a novel. See? Personal growth!

What’s in your financial cup, lovely? Let me know in the comments. 💛

While you’re here, be sure to snag my free workbook, Map the Gap.

It’s designed to make money goal setting a breeze - so easy and effective that it’s perfect for building into your regular routine. Even if you’re just dipping a perfectly polished toe into the world of Money Coaching, you’ll find it simple to dive in and get started. Trust me, the results will be so fabulous you’ll be amazed!

There’s nothing to lose except your fear of failure, so go ahead and grab your copy here.