Wise Monkey Blog

Wise Monkey Financial Coaching

Change your money habits one Do at a time

Change your money habits one Do at a time

I transitioned from being a traditional financial adviser to a financial coach partly as a result of asking myself this question: 'Why don’t we do what we know we need to do?'. I became interested in opening my doors to people who had challenges and blocks when it comes to money. My research since then has been focussed on ways I can provide, not only practical solutions, but also address the obstacles that get in the way of financial success.

That was why I became interested in the ‘Do Something Different (DSD)’ approach. Professor Karen Pine, with whom I co-wrote Sheconomics, is one of the founders. 

DSD have created a range of innovative online behaviour change programmes, designed by Psychology Professors and delivered by text and email. Each cost only £14 for a 6 week programme. The principle behind it is that...

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how to break free from doom spending

“Doom spending” has become a common coping mechanism - shopping to soothe stress, sadness or overwhelm. In the moment it can feel like relief, even a small act of control. But afterwards it often leaves us with guilt, regret, or emptier bank accounts.

The good news is that doom spending isn’t a life sentence. By understanding the emotional triggers behind it and making a few gentle shifts, it’s possible to step out of the cycle and feel calmer, more in control, and more connected to what truly matters.

I was recently interviewed for a Sun article on this very topic, drawing on what I see in my work with clients. What often surprises people is just how closely their money habits are tied to their emotions - and how powerful it can be to bring a little more awareness and compassion into the mix.

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Draw your ideal future1

If you want to create changes in your life, I strongly suggest that you watch this TEDxTalk: Draw your future: Patti Dobrowolski.

The talk is both entertaining and inspiring. It shows you how to leverage your power of imagination and visualisation to actualise the desired vision of your future. I've used this exercise personally, and with many clients, with remarkable results.

The act of focusing on what is truly and profoundly important to you, and identifying your bold steps, has a powerful impact. Clearly, you have to take action too. But change always starts with clear, sharp, focus on what you want.

Click here to download her template. 

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Are you thriving or simply surviving?

Are you thriving or simply surviving?

I was interviewed by a journalist recently who wanted to write an article about ‘financial therapy’ - a combination of financial advice and therapy for unhelpful money behaviours - that is currently popular in the US.

The article - Do you need financial therapy? – was published by The Guardian this week. While I don’t describe myself as a therapist, my work often involves helping clients address the emotions they experience surrounding the subject of money and helping shift unconscious patterns of behaviour around money.

As well as interviewing me about my work, we did some work on the journalist’s relationship with money so that she could experience what I do. She’d never before given much thought to her relationship with money.

What was revealing was that she can get herself out of trouble but can’t maintain that forward momentum once it no longer feels like a problem. We did an exercise where I got her to personify her relationship with money, and what came to her was ambivalence, disinterest and discomfort about engaging with money. We realised that her focus was on survival: getting through the month, paying off debts, but not on thriving.

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Are you holding yourself back from financial success?

Are you holding yourself back from financial success?

I always find it interesting how often we hold ourselves back. How often female clients, in particular, voice their concern over feeling like a fraud professionally despite sincere recognition from the outside world and extensive experience within their profession. Yet, despite that external acknowlegment, internally there's something else going on.

I've noticed that many of us experience an internal conflict. While a part of us knows who we are and what we're capable of, at some level, another part may believe the complete opposite. 'Who am I to achieve/desire/deserve that?’. Sometimes it feels like there’s a fight going on inside with both parts vying for attention and neither getting heard. 

I do a lot of work with this in relation to people’s behaviour around money. One part of you ...

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