Feel Good Finance: A Financial Therapist's Guide to Understanding Your Money Story with Aja Evans
Oct 15, 2024
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Aja Evans, a licensed mental health counselor specializing in financial therapy and author of "Feel Good Finance," dives into the emotional landscape of money management. She discusses how our financial behaviors are intertwined with self-esteem and personal narratives, emphasizing the need for open conversations about money. Aja also tackles the challenges posed by rising living costs and societal pressures, urging listeners to break free from limiting beliefs. Her insights aim to transform individual financial stories into pathways for empowerment and understanding.
Aja Evans emphasizes that understanding one's financial behavior requires addressing emotional and psychological factors tied to self-worth and self-esteem.
The conversation highlights the importance of open communication about finances, especially within families and cultures where such discussions are often avoided.
Deep dives
The Power of Money Psychology
The relationship individuals have with money is significantly influenced by their psychological well-being and emotional state. A financial awakening can occur when people realize that their spending habits may be tied to deeper feelings of self-worth rather than just financial literacy. This realization highlights the need to address emotional issues before attempting to resolve financial problems. Understanding the intersection of finance and psychology can lead to healthier financial behaviors and improved self-esteem.
Defining Financial Therapy and Its Impact
Financial therapy involves exploring the underlying emotional and psychological factors that contribute to individuals' financial behaviors. It bridges the gap between traditional therapy and financial planning, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's money story. Practitioners like Asia Evans aim to help clients unpack their beliefs and feelings about money, enabling them to make informed decisions. This holistic approach can reshape clients' financial narratives, promoting a healthier relationship with money.
Barriers and Strategies for Financial Success
Many people face significant barriers to achieving financial stability, including mindless spending and feelings of inadequacy despite potentially high earnings. Individuals often avoid confronting their finances, leading to increased anxiety about money. Solutions involve creating open dialogues about financial habits, setting parameters for spending, and establishing accountability among family and friends. Identifying the root causes of financial stress and developing a supportive community can empower individuals to take control of their finances.
Navigating Family Dynamics Around Money
Having conversations about finances with aging parents can be challenging, especially in cultures where money discussions are taboo. It is crucial to communicate openly about financial arrangements, estate plans, and shared responsibilities without causing defensiveness. Establishing healthy boundaries is important, particularly for those feeling pressure to support family members financially. Ultimately, creating an environment for honest discussions can alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding financial decisions and ensure that all parties understand expectations.
In this episode of Weird Finance, Paco talks to Aja Evans, a licensed mental health counselor specializing in financial therapy. Aja shares her personal journey of merging her background in counseling psychology with financial education, highlighting the importance of understanding the relationship between financial behaviors and self-esteem. The discussion delves into common financial struggles, the significance of open communication about money, and the challenges of setting boundaries in various cultural contexts. Aja also introduces her upcoming book, "Feel Good Finance," which aims to guide readers through understanding their personal financial psychology and managing their finances effectively.
Aja Evans (@ajaetherapy) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, speaker, and author specializing in Financial Therapy. After going through her own financial awakening, Aja realized the connection between finances and mental health was deeper than she had been taught. Her debut book, Feel Good Finance due out December 3rd dives into the experiences so many of us have had and guides the reader in connecting their life experiences to how they behave with money. Aja has been featured in a variety of major news outlets including The New York Times, Business Insider, NerdWallet, Time, and Teen Vogue. Aja is on a mission to get more people engaged in living their best lives while attuning to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors around money.
The theme music was written and performed by Andrew Parker, Jenna Parker, and Paco de Leon.
If you’d like to contact us about the show or ask Paco a question about finances, email us at weirdfinancepod (at) gmail.com or submit your questions here. We’d also love your listener feedback about the show; here’s a short survey.
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