Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as personalized financial advice. For specific financial guidance, please consult a licensed financial professional.
How to Align Your Finances with Your Values
Welcome to Judy-ta.com! I’m Judy, and today, I want to talk about a common yet often overlooked topic: aligning your finances with your values. I cover this concept in detail in my podcast episode, “Munchies and Money Moves”, where I dive into my personal journey with budgeting, spending, and values. Here’s an overview to help you understand why financial alignment is essential for your long-term happiness—and how you can start building a better relationship with your finances.
Facing the Taboo: Money Anxiety and the Fear of Budgeting
Talking about money is uncomfortable for many people. It brings up anxiety, confusion, and sometimes even a sense of shame. A lot of people believe that starting a budget means sacrificing all the things they enjoy. But in my view, it doesn’t have to be that way. Instead of seeing budgeting as cutting out life’s pleasures, I see it as a way to consciously choose what truly matters.
If you’re one of those who feels budgeting limits your freedom, consider this: it’s all about creating balance. Budgeting isn’t just a restriction—it’s a tool to help you make intentional choices that reflect your unique priorities.
Ask yourself: What do I enjoy? What brings value into my life and what do I want to prioritize?
Reflecting on Your Financial Journey
In my latest podcast episode, I share my personal journey with money—one that started in childhood. Growing up without a lot of spare cash, “vacations” were actually long bus rides to the city. We’d snap photos outside Universal Studios but never actually go inside. Those experiences ingrained in me a “penny-pinching” mindset that I carried into adulthood, even after I landed a job with Goldman Sachs and moved to Utah.
In Utah, I was intensely focused on saving every dollar. I saw my time there as temporary, so I avoided buying anything I’d need to transport back to California. This meant skipping furniture purchases, living on an air mattress, and refraining from spending on any “luxuries.” My only goal was to save. And while this approach helped me build a solid foundation, I quickly learned it wasn’t sustainable. I needed something to ground me and make my financial habits feel less like deprivation.
Pro tip: Reflect on how your financial mindset developed and ask whether it’s still serving you.
Redefining Value: Finding Joy in Small Rewards
To stay motivated, I decided to let myself have something small that brought me happiness: boba. For me, boba wasn’t just a drink; it became a currency. When I had a hard day or an extra long work session, a boba was my reward. It’s not that I was drinking boba every day, but this simple joy kept me going.
This concept grew into a mindset shift I call the “Boba Currency.” I’d compare purchases with the cost of boba to see if they were truly worth it. For instance, I’d ask myself, “Would I rather spend the money on this, or get the equivalent of 14 bobas?” Often, this would help me realize if a purchase was in line with my values.
Tip: Consider your own small joy that could help you reframe how you value money.
From Boba Currency to Lasting Financial Balance
As my career and life evolved, so did my values. I started to appreciate experiences and self-care items like a quality mattress, which I hadn’t thought much of before. After years of working hard and saving, I began to see that wealth isn’t just about accumulating money—it’s about using it to improve your quality of life in meaningful ways. Now, I still save, but I also balance that with experiences and quality time with loved ones.
My priorities have shifted, and that’s completely normal. Our financial goals don’t have to be static; they should evolve with us. Life transitions—like a new job, marriage, or moving—can spark financial changes. Reassessing every so often ensures your finances stay in line with who you are now. If you want to hear more about this, listen to my full story on Munchies and Money Moves.
Ask yourself: Do your financial goals align with your current values, or are they tied to an outdated version of you?
Breaking the Cycle of Mindless Spending
At one point, I found myself addicted to Amazon. Packages would arrive so frequently that I often didn’t even remember what I’d ordered. Most of these items turned out to be impulse buys I didn’t really need. To break free from this cycle, I created a new rule for myself: “Pause, Reflect, Purchase.” Now, when I get the urge to buy, I add items to my cart and wait a few days. If, after some time, I still want or need the item, I consider buying it. More often than not, I find it was just a passing fancy.
Try it: Next time you’re tempted by an impulse purchase, add it to your cart and wait. This simple practice helps you assess whether it truly aligns with your values.
Assessing Your Own Values
Now, I encourage you to ask yourself: Are your finances a reflection of your values? Are you spending money on things that truly matter to you, or are you caught up in societal expectations or habits that don’t align with what you care about? It’s okay to change how you spend. It’s okay if what you value now is different from what you valued a year or two ago.
If this resonates with you and you want help exploring your own financial alignment, consider scheduling a free consultation with me at judy-ta.com. I’m here to help you identify your unique strengths, goals, and values and craft a financial plan that makes sense for you.
Join the Conversation!
If you’d like to dive deeper into topics like these, check out Munchies and Money Moves, where I share more personal finance insights and stories. Or subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated with future episodes and posts.
Your financial path should be as unique as you are—let’s make it meaningful together! What budgeting tip or financial value has made the biggest impact on your life? Share below!