The Financial Glow Up
Redefining Your Money Story
What is a Financial Glow Up
What if your relationship with money was just like a relationship with a partner? Would it be loving and supportive—or full of stress and avoidance? Your money story impacts more than just your bank account—it shapes your confidence, choices, and opportunities in life. Let’s talk about how to give your finances a glow up that transforms everything
I love the concept of a “financial Glow-Up.” I read about it online. It isn’t just about making more money or understanding financial concepts better. A financial glow is about stepping into financial confidence, feeling secure with your financial decisions, and feeling empowered by being able to have control over your life in this arena.
Traditionally, a glow up occurs when a transformation is possible such as in the arenas of appearance, fitness, and personal growth. A financial glow up isn’t about changing external factors like having to suddenly take over your finances after years of leaving it to your partner or graduating from college and having to put your big girl pants on. It’s about changing your INTERNAL relationship with money so you can create the external results you desire.
Your Money Story: The Script You Didn’t Know You Were Following
Think back to your childhood—what did you hear about money? Was it a source of stress? Were you taught that wealth was only for ‘lucky’ or ‘greedy’ people? These beliefs follow us into adulthood and shape the way we spend, save, and even dream.
My dad worked in advertising. He was one of those original Mad Men from New York City. He was transferred to San Francisco in 1965 to open an office here.
Advertising is a cyclical business. When the money is flowing, so are the ad dollars. When the economy is tight, advertising gets cut. Which means job security is a bit flimsy.
Periods on Unemployment or between jobs were typical in our household, which is difficult for the main breadwinner for a family of six and a dachshund, all of whom wanted to be fed.
Money was often very tight. I started working at 12 as a babysitter to earn my own money. But in my head I learned that money is hard to come by and you have to work really hard to get ahead. I have a scarcity mindset around money.
Fast forward many years and my husband worked regular hours and money flowed naturally to him. He didn’t work inordinate hours and did well financially.
But I couldn’t shift out of my scarcity mindset.
Even now as we are going through the divorce preceding and I can see exactly what we have, I still have this nagging fear in the back of my mind that it could all disappear, just like it did when I was a child.
I understand that the fear is irrational, but it still haunts me.
I was forever turning off the lights even though my X said they were special low wattage bulbs that were a negligible expense. I would drive around and around because I didn’t like to pay for parking. I didn’t need new jeans because I had jeans already – until my girlfriend told me my jeans were totally out of style. (I didn’t realize jeans ever went out of style…)
My past experiences and the house I grew up in were haunting my mind. Limiting beliefs played in my mind: “I’m not good with money.” Or, “I have to work hard for every penny.” Or, “Money is stressful and causes problems.”
I never looked at our finances after we got married because I got so stressed out about it. I gave it all over to Gunnar in good faith since it’s his area of expertise.
How Your Relationship with Money Affects Everything Else
The problem is, your money habits don’t just hang out in the money realm. They leak into all other aspects of your life. If you’re super frugal, you don’t want to invest in your relationships. You hold your cards close and then it’s hard to develop meaningful relationships. This can also impact your career because you are hesitant to take risks and you don’t invest in your own learning and development.
If, on the other hand, you overspend, notice your relationships. Do you overcommit your time? Do you give too much to others? Are you always feeling frazzled?
Financial fear or avoidance creates stress, limits choices, and can keep you stuck in patterns you don’t even realize you’re repeating.
Rewriting Your Money Story: The Power of a Mindset Shift
The biggest step forward is in gaining AWARENESS of your limiting belief and how it holds you back. Once you are aware, you can acknowledge the belief. Realize that the belief was developed when you were younger and it formed to protect you. Now you don’t need that protection, so appreciate the voice in your head that’s holding you back and thank it for the work it’s done. Now adjust the volume of the voice and turn it way down and let it sink into the background. Then take inspired action and move forward in the direction of your desires/choice.
What is a new money story that you can write to support your new belief? For me, I say affirmations like, “Money flows to me easily and abundantly.” “I am a good steward of my wealth.” “I deserve financial success and security.”
Give it a try and see how that goes for you.
The Ripple Effect: How a Financial Glow Up Changes Everything
When you feel financially confident, you tend to set better boundaries, feel an increased sense of self-worth, and take bigger risks in your personal growth. For me, once I got a handle on my finances, I felt empowered to make other decisions like remodeling my home, and traveling. I had control over my money and could make donations where I wanted without feeling guilty or needing permission.
Take Sarah, for example. She grew up believing that ‘money doesn’t grow on trees’ and always felt guilty spending on herself. When she rewrote her money story, she not only started saving confidently but also found herself asking for what she deserved at work. Her financial glow up led to a total life transformation—better relationships, more self-respect, and a deeper sense of ease.
Action Steps: Your Financial Glow Up Checklist
Start to track your money story. Journal about past experiences around money and the messages you received. Awareness is the first critical step forward. What’s one limiting belief you’ve been carrying about money? Write it down and challenge it!
Create a new money vision: Where do you want to be in a year? If money were no object, what would your dream life look like?
Take one bold financial step. You could start an investment account, raise your rates, or find a financial advisor you are comfortable working with. What’s one action you’ve been avoiding because of money fears? Do it this week!
Awareness leads to action and the more you act, the more empowered you will feel. You don’t get a financial glow up sitting on the sidelines. Get in the arena and take decisive action today.
Be the Change-Maker You are Meant to Be
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