What’s Your Money Story?
Do you ever wonder why you treat money the way you do? Why it’s so hard to save—or so hard to spend? Why money conversations with your partner feel awkward? Why you always feel just a little bit behind? The answer might lie in your money story.
What’s a Money Story?
We all carry internal beliefs about money. Some of us think we’re spenders, others savers. Some of us feel anxious when we look at our bank account, while others avoid it altogether. Sometimes we call them “habits” or “mindsets,” but they’re really stories—personal narratives that quietly guide how we behave, feel, and talk about money.
Your money story may sound like:
- “I’m just not good with money.”
- “Spending is selfish.”
- “I’ll be happy when I’ve saved [£X].”
- “Money causes conflict, so I avoid it.”
These money stories didn’t appear out of nowhere. They were shaped, often silently, by the families we grew up in, the experiences we had as children, and the lessons we absorbed without even realising it. Maybe your parents argued about money. Maybe they never talked about it at all. Perhaps you were taught that success was linked to status—or that saving was the only “right” thing to do.
Dr. Megan McCoy joined us recently on The Financial Wellbeing Podcast and shared that our childhood memories, family habits, and cultural expectations form the roots of how we behave with money today. These early imprints can be incredibly influential—sometimes in empowering ways, sometimes in ways that quietly hold us back.
Why This Matters
Understanding your money story isn’t just an intellectual exercise – it’s a chance to reclaim control. Understanding your money story helps you:
- Notice unhelpful patterns or stress triggers
- Communicate better with loved ones
- Let go of shame, fear, or guilt
- Make confident, values-based financial decisions
Here’s the thing: most of our financial decisions aren’t rational. They’re emotional. We might overspend not because we lack discipline, but because we’re chasing comfort. We might avoid investing not because it’s confusing, but because we associate risk with failure.
When you understand your story, you give yourself the power to rewrite it. You stop reacting and start responding. You go from autopilot to awareness. And this awareness is what creates real, lasting change.
🎧 Curious to hear more?
We explored this topic with Dr. Megan McCoy, a leading financial therapist, in Episode 120 of The Financial Wellbeing Podcast. Her insights are well worth a listen along with Chris Budd and Tom Morris sharing their money stories.
Try This at Home: Map Your Money History
During our chat with Dr Megan McCoy, we explored one way to uncover your story – create a Money Genogram – a sort of family tree that traces financial attitudes through generations.
Start by asking:
- What’s your earliest memory of money?
- Who managed the finances in your childhood home?
- How did your family talk about wealth, debt, or spending?
- What money behaviours do you still mimic – or reject?
These may sound like simple questions, but they open the door to deeper insight. You can try this informally at home, maybe even with a sibling, and you’ll be surprised at how two people from the same household can have such different memories and money behaviours.
From Reflection to Action
Money isn’t just numbers on a spreadsheet—it’s tied to identity, values, self-worth.
That’s why, at Ovation, we don’t start with the money. We start with you. We want to understand your story, what matters to you. What you’re striving for. What you’re worried about. What your relationship with money looks like—and how it could evolve into something healthier and happier for your financial wellbeing.
Ready to Talk About Your Story?
If any part of this email struck a chord, you’re not alone. Many of our clients find money hard to talk about, even with those closest to them. We’re here to help you.
Book a meeting with Ovation Finance for a thoughtful conversation focused on helping you feel more in control of your money and your future.
