Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole

Let us begin our journey together, not with numbers or charts, but with a gentle breath and a pause to reflect. Imagine, for a moment, that your financial life is not a single account, but a garden with many beds—each one needing its own kind of care. Financial wholeness is the art of tending to all these beds, so that your life can blossom in every season. This is not about chasing wealth for its own sake, but about nurturing the roots of security, freedom, and joy.

It starts with a story—a little girl running inside, eager for her ice cream treat, only to learn that her water-loving habits have used up her ice cream dollars. That moment, filled with confusion and a bit of heartbreak, became a seed. It taught that every choice, no matter how small, has a ripple effect. In our own lives, how often do we reach for something sweet, only to realize the cost hidden beneath the surface?

Financial wholeness is not a destination, but a journey across ten essential fields: budgeting, saving, debt, credit, earning, investing, insurance, net worth, professional guidance, and legacy. No matter your income, your background, or your current bank balance, you can cultivate these fields. The soil, however, is your mindset. Too often, we inherit beliefs about money from our families or absorb them from the world around us—beliefs that say money is scarce, or dangerous, or a measure of our worth. But what if we could rewrite those stories?

Before you ever touch your budget, take a moment to notice your feelings about money. Are they rooted in fear, or in hope? In shame, or in possibility? To become a 'paper towel person' means to recognize a spill, grab a towel, and move forward—leaving self-blame behind. Mistakes are not the end, but the beginning of wisdom. This is a practice of self-forgiveness, of seeing every misstep as a lesson, not a life sentence.

Along the way, you’ll learn to recognize the voices that shaped your habits—parents who saved every penny, or spent freely, or worried aloud about bills. You’ll see how society whispers that happiness is found in shopping bags or status symbols. But you’ll also discover the quiet power of gratitude, the joy of small wins, and the strength that comes from sharing your journey with others.

As you move into the next section, remember: Your financial story is still being written. With each new chapter, you hold the pen. Let’s turn the page together, and begin to build the practical foundation that will support your dreams.