At the end of September I had the opportunity to lead a call about breaking free of the trap of money. I was reluctant to lead this call because I didn’t think I necessarily had the answers. I have not figured out money myself. Then I started to think about what would it actually take for me to be free from being dominated by money? The first thing I realized is that I let the number in my bank account, the amount of charges on my credit cards and the amount of paper money in my wallet determine if I am good or bad. I also saw that I keep secrets about money. I don’t like to discuss money with my family, my friends or even my husband. I just want it to be handled by some fairy godmother.

As a first step to break free I suggest that:

We stop letting the number in our wallet, trust fund, checking, savings and or our retirement accounts define us or our opinion of others.

One way to do this is to look at the secrets many of us keep about money:

  • How much we earn a year
  • How much we owe in taxes to the state and federal government
  • How much debt we carrying
  • If we missed a major payment for the car loan, rent or mortgage
  • How close to the edge we really are
  • How easy we have it because of hard work, a relative’s gift or just plain old luck
  • How much wealth we have in trust

What secret about money are you willing to share this week? Are you willing to stop letting the amount of money you have or don’t have define you?