Overcoming Fear & Anxiety Around Money

“You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so. For remember, fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind." - Dale Carnegie

Insights from a Certified Money Coach:

🌿 Money Anxiety: You’re Not Alone

(And You’re Definitely Not Stuck) 🌟

Ok, let’s get real for a second.

If your stomach sinks every time a bill lands in your inbox...If you avoid checking your bank balance (because, honestly, who needs that kind of negativity?)...If the thought of "big money decisions" makes you want to lie down and stare at the ceiling...

💔 Guess what? You’re so not alone.

This is especially true for professional women over 40.

Even the ones who are killing it in their careers.

Yep, even the ones who look like they have it all together.

Because financial anxiety? It doesn’t care how glossy your LinkedIn profile looks.

And here’s the thing:

Maybe it’s the “what-ifs” keeping you up at night.

Or those old, nagging memories of a rough financial patch.

Whatever it is, I need you to hear me when I say this:

✨ Those fears don’t have to run the show. ✨

You can take back the reins.

You can breathe easier.

You can build a calmer, stronger, healthier relationship with money.

How do I know?

Because I’ve been there.

Confession Time: I Was a Financial Hot Mess 🙈

Nope, I didn’t start out as some wise, calm, zen-like money coach.

(Spoiler alert: I still talk way too much – so grab a coffee, this could get long).

Once upon a time, my relationship with money was... complicated.

Think “dysfunctional family dinner” vibes.

🍿 Grab the popcorn because you can read all about it, right here: "My Story"

Even when I was earning a solid income, I was terrified.

Terrified of not having enough.

Terrified of unexpected expenses.

Terrified of making the wrong money moves.

And, honestly? I had no clue what I was doing.

It was like carrying around this constant low-grade hum of worry – like a mosquito you can’t swat away. Buzzing in the background, making everything feel heavier.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

🌱 Just like a garden, the way we feel about money has roots.

And if we want to grow something new – confidence, calm, clarity – we’ve got to dig into the dirt and figure out where those roots are tangled.

So, Where Does Money Anxiety Come From?

For a lot of us, it’s not just about the numbers.

It’s personal.

Maybe it’s scars from a tough financial season.

Or habits you picked up growing up – like hearing “money doesn’t grow on trees” on repeat.

Or just years of feeling like you’re barely keeping up.

It’s no wonder we feel stuck.

But here’s the good news: Money anxiety isn’t some unfixable curse.

It’s a pattern.

And patterns?

They can be rewritten.

Let me walk you through a few simple steps that helped me untangle my own money fears – and might just help you too.

Step 1: Name Your Fear (Yep, Out Loud) 🗣️

Look, we can’t fix what we refuse to face. So let’s get brave here.

What’s really going on when money makes you anxious?

Is it the fear of not having enough?

The guilt of spending?

Or maybe just that nagging feeling of “I should be better at this by now”?

For me, it was this irrational belief that every dollar spent was a step closer to financial ruin.

(Dramatic? Sure. True? Absolutely not.)

✨ Pro Tip: Start journaling when those anxious money thoughts creep in.

Write down:

• What triggered you

• What you’re really afraid of

Seeing it in black and white makes it a whole lot smaller.

Trust me.

Step 2: Know Your Numbers (No, Seriously, All of Them) 💡

I know, I know. Avoidance feels easier.

Yup.

Been there, done that.

But here’s the thing: The more you avoid your finances, the bigger and scarier they seem.

It’s like hearing a noise in the dark – until you turn on the light and realise it’s just the cat.

Here’s what worked for me: I started with 10 minutes a day.

Just 10!

I’d check my bank balance, skim through transactions, and make note of upcoming expenses.

At first, it felt awful.

But over time, it got easier.

And eventually, it became a habit.

Now? Knowing my numbers is like having a map instead of wandering around lost in the woods.

✨ Tiny Challenge: Commit to a quick daily or weekly “money check-in.”

Even if it’s just opening your banking app and taking a peek.

Baby steps, my friend.

Step 3: Set Goals You Actually Care About 🎯

Forget vague goals like “save money” or “spend less.” Boring.

When I first got serious about my finances, I set a goal to save $200 a month for a trip to the Gold Coast with my kids.

Why? Because I could picture it – the sun, the sand, the squeals of joy.

And suddenly, saying no to impulse buys didn’t feel like deprivation any more...

It felt like progress.

✨ Pro Tip: Pick one small, meaningful goal.

Maybe it’s saving for a weekend getaway or paying off a specific bill.

Focus on that, and let it motivate you.

Another thought: have you read my blog post on Money Goal Setting? There are some good takeaways in there, so take a look here.

Step 4: Build a Buffer (Because Life Happens) 🌧️

Here’s the thing about peace of mind: It comes from knowing you’ve got a safety net.

Unexpected expenses are inevitable – cars break down, pipes burst, life happens.

But when you’ve got a little stash of “just-in-case” money, those surprises don’t hit quite as hard.

I started with $20 a week – nothing fancy.

But over time, it added up.

And let me tell you, having an emergency fund is like carrying an umbrella on a cloudy day. You feel ready.

✨ Pro Tip: Start small. Even $10 a week can snowball into something powerful.

Step 5: Reframe Your Money Beliefs 🧠

The stories we tell ourselves about money? They matter.

Growing up, I absorbed this idea that “money is hard to come by.”

So even when I was financially stable, I’d still panic.

I had to rewrite that script.

• Instead of “money is scarce,” I told myself, “I’m capable of managing money wisely.”

• Instead of “spending is dangerous,” I said, “I can enjoy my money while still being responsible.”

✨ Simple Exercise: Write down one negative money belief you have.

Then flip it into something empowering.

Repeat it to yourself often – even if it feels cheesy.

And if you're feeling like you want to really get your teeth into this one, you can check out my post on challenging your Money Story here.

Remember: Progress, Not Perfection 🌟

Look, this isn’t magic.

Money anxiety doesn’t disappear overnight.

But every small step you take – whether it’s journaling, setting a goal, or checking your balance – is progress.

And progress?

That’s what builds confidence.

You’ve got this.

Truly.

And hey, if you need someone in your corner, cheering you on and helping you untangle the messy bits, that’s what I’m here for.

Together, we’ll turn money from a source of stress into a tool for creating the life you deserve.

Let’s start today. 🌿

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.