This is what happens when I hit it off with a journalist.

written by Bari Tessler September 17, 2019

In the last few years, I’ve had some wonderful media opportunities come my way.

I’m grateful for all of them, but every once in a while, something extra special happens in the connection between me and the journalist on the other end of the line. It’s positively electric. I sit up straighter and talk with my hands more than normal. And I get louder (my husband can always tell when I’ve had a super fulfilling interview because I can be heard throughout the house.) The journalist just gets my work. Great questions and deep conversations flow, and the conversation can fly by in an instant.

This happened the first time Alexandra Engler, Beauty and Lifestyle Editor at MindBodyGreen, interviewed me for an article she was working on.

I loved how she would ask specific questions, like “Should You Keep a Money Diary?” or “How do you talk with your parents about money?” or “How can people get over spending guilt?”

I would share my thoughts and tools on topics like this and very quickly she’d crank out a succinct, smart, and satisfying article published in the MindBodyGreen magazine.

Whether you’re new to my work or have been following along for years, I thought you’d enjoy taking a look at these snapshots of the Art of Money methodology. Each piece can help you make essential small shifts in your relationship to money that can lead to life changing new patterns.

Okay, grab some chocolate and let’s dive in. (Why am I always talking about chocolate? Because chocolate is the answer. The question is irrelevant. Plus, it pairs well with money work.)

Here are the 8 articles from Alexandra at MindBodyGreen:

1. Should You Keep A Money Diary? Experts Weigh in

“And as for those money dates? If just the thought of that inspires dread, just shift the mood in your space: ‘Light a candle, bring out essential oils, and set an intention—do whatever you need to do to make yourself feel comfortable.’”

2. Are We All Financially Anxious? What The New Research Shows + Why It’s Important

“‘Unfortunately, neither financial literacy nor emotional literacy are taught, so when these feelings come up, we don’t know how to deal with it,’ says Bari Tessler, a financial therapist. ‘And after you’ve used money to provide your basic needs—food, clothing, shelter—money issues are no longer just about money. It is always about other deeper stuff.’”

3. Ask A Financial Therapist: How Do I Get Over Spending Guilt?

“‘Guilt is an emotion that is on the spectrum of anger, shame, and sadness,’ says financial therapist Bari Tessler. ‘And where it comes from, and how it manifests itself, will look different to everyone—but there are some universal themes.’ If you are feeling this way, the first thing to do is self-assess where it’s coming from. Most often—but not always—it stems from one of two scenarios. The first: if you’ve come into the money through means with embedded emotional baggage, like an inheritance. The second: if you grew up with scarce or unstable finances.”

4. Always Thinking About Money? Here Are 4 Ways To Get It Off Your Mind

“‘As financial therapist Bari Tessler teaches us, money dates are an important part of financial self-awareness. This is where you can learn about your spending habits and what your budget might look like for the next week or month. (She even advises shifting the mood in your space during the date: ‘Light a candle, bring out calming essential oils, and set an intention—do whatever you need to do to make yourself feel comfortable,’ she says.)”

5. Ask A Financial Therapist: How To Talk To Your Parents About Money

“’Learning to have any new financial conversation involves learning new skills, especially when there is so much emotion attached to the conversation,’ says financial therapist Bari Tessler. ‘The first thing you can do is to check in with yourself before you even start: Do a body check; evaluate where your anxiety levels are at; see where your mind is. It’s an important tool where you’re telling yourself, ‘I’m approaching a hard conversation, and I’m going to support myself emotionally along the way.'”

6. This One Mental Trick Will Make Paying Off Your Debt Feel Easier

“’For some people, it’s out there, but for some people, it’s what gets them ready and willing to sit down and do their bookkeeping. This is their own life and reflects something that they are trying to create for themselves,’ says Tessler. ‘Plus, it helps you put judgment to the side. We all have ideas on how we think we should be spending money, and we are allowed that.’”

7. Um, When Is It OK To Ask For Money? Here’s What An Expert Says

“’First, it’s important to remember that there’s always going to be cash flow dips; that’s normal in life, and you don’t need to feel bad about the situation,’ says Tessler. ‘You can work on salary full time and still be at risk for this: You can be let go, or something else can come up. Of course, for entrepreneurs or freelancers, there’s always this process of ebb and flow.’ With this in mind, Tessler says you should always be saving (if you can) to create a safety net for yourself. So if you’re reading this in an abundant time in your life, remember to be putting away.”

8. Money Envy Is Real — How To Deal With That Awkward Feeling

“’These are hard, complex, uncomfortable feelings,’ says financial therapist Bari Tessler. ‘So just acknowledging that, naming it, and letting yourself know that this is a normal feeling and you’re not the only one who might feel this way—that’s where you can start.’”

With my dearest wishes,

P.S. Quick head’s up about something that has me bouncing in my office chair just a little: We’re opening up early-bird registration for The Art of Money 2020 in 4 weeks!

Yes! It’s that time of year. This is my flagship program. The sum total of 19+ years of honing a methodology that can help you make shifts, both great and small, in your relationship with money. Also, this will be my 8th year teaching in this year-long format.

This program is a deep, helpful, supportive year-long journey and it only opens for early-bird registration once a year. That time is coming soon…in one month.

For those of you who’ve been waiting all year for the doors to open, mark your calendars, because in mid October, we’ll publish a free series of insanely helpful, savvy sips of practical money tools and practices. We call them “money mochas,” and they’re coming to your breakfast table in just a few weeks.

When the mochas start landing with a satisfying “thunk” on your table, that’s when early-bird registration for the Art of Money 2020 program begins. It’s a short window to register in this period, so be sure not to miss it if you know you’re ready to start getting support in this area of your life sooner than later. Can’t wait to see you then!

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