Automatic thought patterns are pervasive and impactful, influencing our moods, behaviours, and even our self-concept. In our everyday lives, we sometimes struggle to recognise their presence in our decision-making, especially when it comes to financial choices. These automatic thoughts – images, words, or other mental activities – that pop into our minds in response to certain triggers can appear mundane or insignificant. Yet, they are anything but! So, what is automatic thinking? Stemming from the beliefs […]
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Unearthing the roots of your money story
Money, it is said, makes the world go around. We use it daily, exchange it for goods and services, save it for the future, worry about it, celebrate it, and yet often, we are reluctant to delve into our personal histories with it. Our earliest memories of money can reveal much about our present-day financial beliefs and behaviours. Understanding these memories is essential to retelling your money story and creating a healthier relationship with your finances. […]
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Data to Wisdom for your financial journey
As we journey through life, we often hear phrases like “seeing is believing”. But when it comes to our financial health and well-being, there’s a subtle yet profound difference between merely seeing and truly recognising. It’s akin to looking at a tree and appreciating its beauty, compared to recognising its species, understanding its growth patterns, and knowing its ecological value. This difference plays a pivotal role in financial planning. ‘Seeing’ could be equated with knowing our […]
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Time to think about money – Part 2
Independent thinking is critical in lifestyle financial planning, and here’s why. Each person has unique financial needs, aspirations, and circumstances. When you think independently, you can assess your personal situation and determine what matters most to you. This helps you set goals that genuinely reflect your values and priorities, making your financial plan more meaningful and motivating. Also, the financial landscape is constantly changing. New investment opportunities, tax laws, and market conditions emerge all the time. […]
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More about your money story
Money is more than just a tool for transactions; it’s an emotional force intertwined with our identities, values, and sense of self-worth. Our money story is a tapestry of beliefs and experiences that shape our financial behaviours and attitudes. By exploring different elements of our money story, we can better understand our emotional connection to finances and work towards a healthier relationship with money. Financial Role Models: Our money story is greatly influenced by the role […]
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Investing with Heart and Mind
Embarking on and sticking to your investment journey requires a solid understanding of financial principles and an appreciation for the emotional roller coaster that comes with it. Asset allocation, a crucial component of investing, is about striking the right balance between risk and reward to achieve your financial goals. As you consider different allocations, it’s essential to recognise the emotional implications of your choices, allowing you to make informed decisions that align with your unique risk […]
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Time to think about money – Part 1
Discussing finances can be a daunting task, especially when emotions run high. It’s important to remember that there’s a human element behind every financial decision – our dreams, fears, and values. Nancy Kline is an American-born author, business consultant, and personal development coach. She is best known for her Time to Think methodology, which emphasises the importance of creating a thinking environment that promotes independent thinking, deep reflection, and transformative change. By incorporating Nancy Kline’s Time […]
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Empathy vs Codependency
In lifestyle financial planning, striking the right balance between empathy and codependency is essential to building healthy relationships while maintaining personal well-being. A recent tweet by Dr Nicole LePera (@Theholisticpsyc) highlighted the differences between empathy and codependency. Empathy means understanding a person’s feelings and being able to put ourselves in their shoes. In the context of financial planning, empathy allows us to be aware of and attuned to the emotions and perspectives of others. By actively […]
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A miss is as good as a mile
Our mindset is crucial to our financial success. Dealing with our money can quickly become an obsessive task; either focusing solely on the amount we’re lacking or missing, or becoming obsessed with saving and storing up, we can sometimes do more harm than good. This is why mindset plays a significant role in how we approach financial planning. Whilst a miss is as good as a mile, at the same time, too much of a good […]
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Create a life of your own design
Personal financial planning has become critical in shaping our lives and determining our future. However, many of us need help to make the right decisions and achieve our financial goals. The key to overcoming these challenges lies in harnessing and leveraging our strengths to create a life of our own design. By understanding and embracing our strengths, we can replace apathy with passion and ambivalence with engagement, ultimately shaping a more authentic and fulfilling financial future. […]
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