“REAL” Financial Advice is about your “WHY”
You’ve got an unconscious program running in the deepest recesses of your brain that’s telling you what to think, feel, and do with money.
Very few people control it or know how to harness it to achieve their goals. (In a moment, I’ll tell you how you can.)
People think financial advice is all about the “how” and the “when” and the “where.”
It’s not.
Financial advice is really about the “why” and the “who.”
Why have you chosen your path in life? Why are you saving and investing?
Who is on the journey with you? Who do you need to love and protect?
Once you’ve answered those questions, the “what,” “where,” and “how” all fall into place when you’ve got a research-based financial system (like the one I use with my clients).
But we can’t put the plan together until we get to the bottom of the “why” behind your money.
Deep down inside your “why” are money scripts, unconscious beliefs that define your attitude about money. These internal scripts define what money means to you, how you talk about it, and how you treat it.
Your personal money scripts can predict the financial behaviors in your life.
I bet you know at least one person who is terrible with money. Maybe they spend every cent they get. Or they’re in over their head with credit card debt because of compulsive spending. ← That’s their money script at work.
Let’s talk about yours.
Psychological researchers have identified four main types of money scripts we have inside us:1
1. People with money avoidance scripts have negative associations with money; they may avoid looking at financial statements or struggle with budgeting. If money is stressful, you might be a money avoider.
2. People with money vigilance scripts are often frugal and hard-working, and have a strong financial position. But they may experience anxiety that prevents them enjoying their money. If you feel anxious about spending, you might be a money vigilant.
3. & 4. People following money worship or money status scripts tend to see money as a solution to life’s problems and tie their net worth to their self worth. They can struggle with overspending and have a drive to “keep up with the Joneses,” even when it hurts their long-term goals. If you feel that your desired lifestyle is just out of reach, you might have internalized one of these scripts.
Identifying the internalized beliefs guiding your unconscious behavior is the first step toward taking back control and putting your scripts to work for you (not against you).
When you understand the invisible money scripts driving your financial behavior, you can harness those internal beliefs to drive you toward your goals. I can show you how you can use these advanced behavioral techniques in your own life in a simple phone call.
No more anxiety around money.
No more fear about your future.
Confidence. Control. And continual improvement.
Coaching and mentorship are critical to my role as a financial advisor. In fact, research shows that behavioral coaching is one of the biggest benefits of professional advice.
Are you interested in getting professional guidance? Even if you’re not 100% sure you’re ready to take action right now, meeting with me is a simple way to feel confident that you’re moving in the right direction.
To knowing yourself better…
Shore Financial Planning is a fee-only financial planning firm located in Monmouth Beach, NJ.
Joseph Vecchio CPA, CFP®, MBA is the firm’s President and has dedicated his professional life to the finance and accounting professions.
Joe believes that people are being exploited by financial salespeople who are merely motivated by quotas, product sales and commission-based income! Shore Financial Planning was founded to provide peace of mind through conflict-free, value-added advice.