Okay, we all know that having a positive relationship with money is important to set us up for success. Yet so many of us struggle with having a positive relationship with our finances. I don’t know about you, but I always felt like there was never enough money to go around. The downside to thinking like this is that we stay in this feast or famine type of mindset. This can end up causing us to be overly aggressive in pursuit of more financial stability. Kind of like a really pushy salesman and no one wants that.

Money Matters

One of the biggest obstacles people have when it comes to saving money or even how they spend their hard-earned income is that we tend to forget we can always make more. Money is not a finite source and yet we place one of the highest values on it. In reality one of the most finite resources we all have is the time! We are only here for a short time and how we spend that time is by far one of the most important things we do in our lives. Have you ever heard the saying time is money? I used to think that meant that if you want my time it was going to cost you. Now that I have a better relationship with my finances I know it means the more money I have the more time I get to spend with the people I love.

Green & Growing

While I am and will always be a firm believer in your health is the greatest investment you can ever make. That doesn’t mean there are not amazing and game-changing investments out there for you too! For example, establishing a healthy relationship with money and removing any limiting beliefs you may have with it. Now before you say that you don’t have any limiting beliefs or money blocks, I want you to take a good long look at how you spend money. Heck, how do you talk to your kids about money? The painful reality is that we have all uttered the words “we don’t have enough for that right now” or “money doesn’t grow on trees.” Unknowingly we tell our kids there isn’t enough to go around and when you get some you either need to hold it or spend it as fast as possible.

Financial Energy

Instead, you want to think about what that money or energy can become. For example, when your child asks you to buy something you can help teach them the value and power of money. Let’s say they ask you to buy them a toy while you are at the store. You can tell them how much it costs and talk to them about setting up an allowance based on the completion of chores. Then you will want to take it one step further by talking to them about how money can be saved to help grow itself through investments and interest. But for now, I want you to try a quick mental exercise with me.

Money Mindset

Give a chance to your mind to dive deep into intense thinking and when it can think deep, let it assess the value of money in your life. It is a fact that money is one of the few questionable things in one’s life, just like everything which represents the materialistic nature of this world. Sometimes we might think that money buys us all the necessities and luxuries of life, but if we think deeply, some of us might believe that it is in fact one of the evils of our life. Let us make out why it can be one of the ills of our life.

Financial Essentials

Some of us earn money just to make the essential elements of life easily accessible. But for others, money and wealth are an obsession. Money is always scarce for such groups, no matter how hard they try to acquire a great amount of it. For both types of people, money is an exchange of energy. People use their energy to work and in return they receive money. So, what can one do to bring money to its correct position in life? Such a position where money can serve its objectives i.e. to help one in living and is also healthy for the mind and body?

1. Go back to the roots: 

If you are one of those who are more like a ‘money-producing machine’ and less like a living being, then you need to go back to the origin of your psychology regarding money. It is important for you to know your rationale for thinking about money being an obsession in your life. If you find out that it is not your own underlying principle and this belief has been transferred to you by someone else for e.g. family or any influential friend, then you are not living your own life. Most of us have the attraction for money because we see everyone having the same attraction. It is therefore havoc. Change it!

2. Re-guide your brain: 

It was just mentioned above ‘change it’ and some of you might be thinking that it is not as easily applicable as written above. It is true that changing one’s mentality towards something as luxurious as money is not an effortless task. It requires immense mental training. You must focus on all the other blessings of life which you are being deprived of because you are so madly running after cash and currency. Once you have listed out the blessings, try to enjoy them. Usually, you don’t even have to ‘try to enjoy these blessings because these ‘other’ bounties of life are just scattered around you, waiting for you to approach them and just unwrap them and get pleasure from the joys which you get from these bounties. Train your mind to enjoy the simple charms of life instead of being habitual of luxurious entertainment.

3. Create a positive mindset:  

The training which your braining has just received should be persistent. To constantly remind your brain of the new concepts, you will have to bring a positive change in your approach towards money. This demands you not to run after money. But this does not also mean sitting back home and think that money will make its way towards you automatically. Work hard but set limits. Apart from working hard, think positive. As many theories in psychology say that what you perceive of the external world is merely your inner self. Therefore, if you think positively, you will perceive the world as favorable. This also applies to money. Jog your memory for the fact that the amount of money that has been created for you in this universe will make its way in your direction.

Money Magnet 101

One of my favorite ways to save money is by taking care of your health. Everyone says that it is so expensive to eat healthily and take care of yourself. However, trust me there is nothing more expensive than being sick not only is it going to cost you a lot of cash (over 70% of Americans are dealing with medical debt). But it also takes time away from your loved ones. Remember you can always make more money, but time is the one thing we can never get back. A great way to help support your health while also giving your wallet a break is by eating seasonally. That’s right, pay attention to what you see a lot of in the produce section. Seasonal foods tend to take over the scene because they are easy to get a hold of and won’t break the bank. If you are looking for seasonal recipes you can always come here and remember the long the shelflife something has the shorter it will make your life! For more great tips on how to improve your relationship with money here is a great e-book from my financial genius Jessica Durbin.

Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gluten-Free Vegan Serves 12-16

ingredients

• 1 Cup Raspberries Frozen
• 1/2 Cup Cashew Yogurt
• 1 Cup Brown Coconut Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Coconut Sugar
• 1 Cup Vegan Butter
• 2 Cups Coconut Flour
• 1 cup Almond Flour
• 2 Cups Dark Chocolate Chips
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Sea Salt
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla

Directions

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well and set aside. In a separate bowl, combine butter, sugars, yogurt, and vanilla. Once the wet mixture is combined, slowly mix in the dry ingredients. Next, fold in chocolate chips and raspberries. Let dough rest in the fridge for 15-20 minutes (this makes it easier to handle).

Treat a baking sheet with the non-stick option of choice (I use silicone mats) and scoop out about 1 Tbsp of dough per cookie (for more uniform cookies, I use an ice cream scoop). Bake at 375 until golden brown (around 15-20 minutes depending on your oven). Let cool completely on a wire rack. *For moist and chewy cookies, melt your butter first; trust me, it totally works! Enjoy!

Mixed Berry Tart

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Serves 8

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 Cups Roasted Cashews
• 4 Tbsp Vegan Butter
• 2 Tbsp Agave Syrup
• 1 Cup Cashew Yogurt
• 1/4 Cup Cornstarch
• 1/3 cup Maple Syrup
• 1 Tbsp Pure Vanilla
• 2 Cups Mixed Berries
• Fresh Mint
• 2 Cups Coconut Milk

Directions

Treat baking dish with the nonstick option of choice (parchment works great). Prepare crust by blending nuts and agave while still leaving it slightly chunky. Transfer into the dish and place in the freezer to set.

In a large pot, combine yogurt and cornstarch until fully combined. Add maple syrup, milk, and salt. Cook over medium-high heat string frequently until mixture thickens up. Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Let cool for 10 minutes.

Transfer custard into crust and put into the fridge for 1-2 hours to set up; just before serving, top custard with fresh fruit and mint. Enjoy!

Need A Hand?

A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. We all have to deal with our health daily, and when we don’t feel our best, it shows. If you are tired of just making it through your day, you NEED to start investing in your health today! You are not alone on this journey. If you ever need any help, I am always here to do just that. Even if it is something as small as acting as a sounding board, do you have any questions or concerns I can help you with? Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected], or you can even book a one-on-one call with me. Be sure to subscribe to gain access to tons of free goodies and check back daily for more great recipes and information!