✨ Why Your Spending Isn’t About the Money

We like to think we make financial decisions based on logic. But in reality, our choices—especially around spending—are guided by something much deeper: our values.

Here’s what I mean.

A client recently came to me frustrated. Her car’s windshield was cracked, and the dealership’s quote to repair it was over $1,000. Understandably, she was annoyed.

I told her there were other options—insurance-approved shops that could do the job for less. It was just a matter of a little extra time and effort. She nodded, but didn’t take action right away.

Around the same time, she bought a $1,000 cookware set. 🍳

Now, that’s a choice rooted in values.

To her, cooking is joy. It’s connection. It’s how she expresses care and creativity. The cookware felt worth it, because it supports what she truly enjoys. The car, on the other hand? Just a way to get from A to B. Even though the windshield clearly needed repair, it didn’t spark the same emotional response. She wasn’t inspired to take action.

She had the money. She could afford it. The difference was in what mattered to her.

When We Ignore Our Values, Money Gets Messy

If we’re not clear on what we really care about, our spending can start to drift. That’s when problems show up.

🔹 Misaligned priorities
Money ends up going toward whatever feels urgent or appealing in the moment. You might spend on things that look good on paper—but don’t actually move you toward the life you want.

🔹 Decision fatigue
Without clear values to guide you, every choice feels like starting from scratch. It’s exhausting. You second-guess. Or avoid decisions altogether.

🔹 Impulse spending and regret
You buy things in the moment that don’t bring long-term satisfaction. I’ve done this myself—recently I walked into a store for one thing and left with three. It wasn’t a big spend, but it also wasn’t aligned with what matters most to me. That $40 could’ve gone toward something that truly added value to my life.

🔹 Less money for what actually matters
When spending isn’t intentional, you might find yourself short on resources for the things you do care about—travel, connection, security, or growth.

🔹 More stress
Spending without direction can feel chaotic. There’s a constant background noise of “Am I doing this right?” That tension can pile up over time.

🔹Feeling disconnected from your life
This one’s subtle, but powerful. Our spending shapes our day-to-day life. If it doesn’t reflect what you truly value, it’s easy to feel off-track, or even like you’re living someone else’s version of success.

💡 The Bottom Line

Money is a tool. And like any tool, it works best when we’re clear about what we’re building.

That’s why values matter so much. They give your financial choices direction and purpose.

The next time you’re about to spend—or avoid spending—pause and ask:
“Is this supporting what matters most to me?”

That one question can bring more clarity than any spreadsheet ever could.

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