By Sharon Mccoy
Breathe-in….Breathe out…repeat…F I N A N C E S!!??!! To some people, this is the infamous “F-word” that we shall not say! To others, this is a topic of great discussion, because you have reached the other side of your financial freedom journey and are at a place of great victory! If you are in the latter group, let me just lead the audience in a HUGE round of applause for you! You deserve ALL of your praise, finger snaps, ‘YAAAAS-Queen,’ and all that goes with that. You are her/him/they…FOR REAL! However, I am not in that group. I know for certain that NO ONE is asking me for financial advice. When it comes to finances, I am like a turtle. I hide back in my shell until that filthy “F-Word” goes away. Money management is one of those things that I just act like, “If I just ignore it, maybe it will figure itself out, right?” WRONG!!! And I know it! I know this type of defeated manifestation at the sight of something intimidating and insurmountable is a weak way to operate. I am better than that. I am a powerful, resilient, queen who charges towards things that try to intimidate me. So, this is my season to become financially fortified.
I know, some of you may think, “I don’t need this. All I need to do is wait for him…You know that romantic, adoring, alpha, tatted, dark chocolate, thick-bearded, uber-muscular billionaire with long locs? Welp…Lemme just help you out… He ain’t here. Also, If he is a self-made billionaire, he may not be interested in a cute, thick, slayed, fabulous, but financially illiterate woman…j/s. The reality of it is, that this is not about getting a man. It is about becoming victorious in something that dared to try to intimidate me into failure.
I wish I had all of the answers concerning finances. All I can do is share with you this journey-my journey. Believe me, you will have to check back for Part 2. I am a work in progress. I am at the pre-first stage of financial freedom…
Eeeks!!! Here we go!
I grew up extremely low-income. My parents were hard workers. Neither of them had degrees that they could use to make money. They needed supplemental help to make ends meet. The government provided help, but my parents (due to misinterpretation of the Scriptures) felt that to receive government aid was a lack of faith. The struggle was definitely real! Due to extreme poverty I had a front row seat to my parents’ rough relationship with each other. Also, my family suffered due to poverty. I have been homeless, living without water, heat, electricity, and sometimes extra food. When my parents said there was no food, that meant nothing. Not in any cupboards. Through it all, my parents always made sure we had the bare minimum, but I grew up seeing the toll it took on my parents. They were exhausted every day of their lives until their dying day. I never thought I’d be this young without either of my parents, but that is the “hand I was dealt!”
Due to my upbringing, the standard for financial freedom was bare-bones-low! There are so many things that financially literate people do NOT do, that I thought was a flex. Things like buying clothing and going out to restaurants, traveling, and buying random things (for no reason) from Amazon, Target, and now TikTok. Financially, I am out of control! I have not done well navigating mental health, grief, and just the journey of coming from where I was to where I am today. But, A C C O U N T A B I L I T Y is my superpower! So, I can look at the mess, and deal with it. Even if it is a huge hot-mess. I know I have to take FULL responsibility for where I am in my financial journey, on my way to where I am going.
So, here are my Pre-1st Steps:
- Talk to my therapist about financial PTSD.
- Talk to a friend who is excelling in financial stewardship.
- Read a book about financial freedom.
- Turn off all subscriptions until you have placed them on the budget and you have your emergency fund (3-6 months of expenses) saved up.
- Write Down 3 financial goals with specific dates to complete them. Share it with your ONE financial accountability partner.
So, I discussed financial PTSD with my therapist. WHEW!!! That was deeeeep! I learned that my dad’s control over the money was a form of domestic violence. I learned that I had a lot of trauma surrounding living in survival mode. I learned the effects that this has had on my nervous system. She also told me what to expect in this next season of my life. She explained that the uncomfortable feelings that I would go through were normal. She encouraged me to take deep breaths throughout this journey and write down my feelings. She also encouraged me to make a “Win Journal” writing down every time I had a non-financial win! “Sharon, have patience with yourself and give yourself grace!” says my amazing therapist. I know I can do it. I am manifesting my financial genius era!
Breathe in….Breathe out…repeat! We are more than capable of becoming the financial superstar that you deserve to be. So, no matter if you marry that delicious billionaire or become one yourself, you are entering a season that empowers you to run towards all that has tried to intimidate you. No matter where you started, you have the power to be better! This time next year, you will be the person that people seek out for financial wisdom. Because you put in the work,
F I N A N C E S is no longer a dirty F-Word that shall not be mentioned…it is a moment of empowerment. You did that, Queen! You will deserve every moment of praise! Breathe-in…Breathe out…repeat. Take it all in… this is your season to succeed!
Here is my mantra concerning finances:
I am the Queen of my financial future…I am cultivating financial accountability and overflow. I have commanded my mind to receive all wisdom and insight regarding financial stewardship, creativity, and favor. I anoint myself with financial strategies as I pursue freedom in my finances. I give myself the power to be intimidated, but I shout to the word, intimidation does not stop me- it empowers me! I am bigger than lack. I release to the wind all PTSD, trauma, scavenger mindsets, and fear! I receive wisdom, creativity, generosity, and gratitude as
I enter this season of financial power!
