
 Financial Feminist
 Financial Feminist 259. How to Get Out of Financial Survival Mode
 Oct 28, 2025 
 Feeling stuck in financial survival mode? Discover how to identify the signs of scarcity and why saying 'I'm bad with money' is a harmful myth. Learn the emotional patterns that keep you from thriving and practical steps to regain control of your finances. Tackle the emotional weight of money with innovative concepts like the gas-tank metaphor and 'money dates' to analyze your spending. Plus, set actionable goals to create financial stability and break free from overwhelming debt with structured support. 
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What Financial Survival Mode Is
- Financial survival mode means reacting day-to-day and never feeling financially ahead.
- Tori explains this state as money controlling you rather than you controlling money.
Avoidance Is A Key Symptom
- Anxiety around checking balances and avoiding bills are core signs of scarcity mode.
- Tori links avoidance and ostriching to worsening financial scarcity and stress.
Being 'Bad With Money' Is Learned, Not Born
- Internalizing "I'm bad with money" becomes an identity, not just a mistake.
- Tori reframes money skills as learnable, not innate traits.


