How To Make A Good Money Decision (About A Course On Money)

Dear Money Adventurer,

If I can be direct with you for a moment, registration for the January 2025 cohort of The Art of Money closes soon.

If you’re reading this and you’re still trying to make a decision about whether or not to join us, I have some help for you.

See, the decision you’re trying to make now is a money decision: Should you spend money on improving your relationship with money?

Feels like a bit of a tangled paradox, right?

Well, let’s use this moment as a chance to go through one of the most important skills around money: how to make a good money decision…about anything.

It could be whether to buy a new couch, or a new pair of boots, or a car, or, yes, an online program about getting better with money.

How to Make a Good Money Decision in 5 Easy Steps

Step One: The Numbers.

This is the most practical, cut-and-dried factor to consider.

Do you have enough money right now to make this purchase?

Simply reading that question might bring up some fear for you. You might not actually know how much money is in your bank account right now, or how much you’re spending each month.

You might be terrified to even peek at your numbers — and you aren’t alone. This is way more common than you might think! And it’s a huge, paralyzing roadblock between you and a clear money decision.

Believe it or not, people “go unconscious” about money regardless of how much or how little they have. Yep! This pattern cuts right across the spectrum of income levels.

See, this actually isn’t about the numbers. It’s about your relationship with your numbers.

Plus, “having enough money” is a pretty subjective issue.

Some people who are just making ends meet or living on a tight budget may choose to do whatever it takes to invest in something really important to them.

On the other hand, people who have more than enough money to satisfy all of their needs and desires might still feel enormous pressure around making money decisions.

So … what’s your relationship with your numbers?

If you really want to join The Art of Money but aren’t sure if you can swing it, know that for the first time ever, I’m offering a discount on The Art of Money program right now. So, it’s more affordable than it’s ever been in the 11 years since I’ve been guiding people through this program.

Now, if you have no idea what your numbers are, and are afraid to even look at them, consider this: The Art of Money will gently teach you how to do just that.

​​Join The Art of Money here.​​

Step Two: The Timing.

Is NOW the right time for you to make this investment in yourself?

In our Art of Money example, you might ask yourself:

Is your relationship to money calling (or screaming) for support right now?

Have you been longing for this kind of support for months or even years?

Has your need for money healing, practices, and guidance gotten LOUDER recently?

Are you in, recovering from, or about to face a big life event — like getting married, having a baby, changing career, starting a business, grieving a loss, or going through another big transition in your life? These experiences can catapult us into a money initiation.

Do you feel ready to do this work?

How does The Art of Money program line up with the timing of your unique money story?

Step Three: The Value.

This. Is. The. Biggie.

Is the thing or experience you’re thinking of buying valuable to you? In our example, does the Art of Money program feel valuable to you?

If it does, how valuable? Are you willing to spend your money to reflect this value?

It’s often difficult to pinpoint or quantify the exact value of a purchase, particularly when you buy something that could help you with personal growth and improving your experience of life.

My work often falls into this category, as it’s difficult to know ahead of time just how deep the transformation and benefits will be.

Sometimes we have to dig deep to decide for ourselves how valuable a potential investment is to us.

When it comes to The Art of Money, people often report massive shifts … which are subtle at first and then get expressed as external change over time.

Here are some of the tangible and intangible benefits you can expect from The Art of Money. As you read these, check in with yourself. Imagine each point becoming a truth in your life. How much would these be worth to you?

Letting go of old, unhelpful patterns, traumas, and shame around money.

Less fights about money with your sweetie and more intimate, fun money conversations.

Learning the language and systems of money. (This is so empowering.)

Tuning into what truly matters to YOU and aligning these values with your money habits.

Personalized daily, weekly, monthly, and annual money practices so you always have clarity around how much money is flowing in and out of your life, and where it’s going.

Getting a toolbox of useful practices to make “money stuff” more creative + playful + meaningful to you.

Take a deep breath. Notice how your body feels, right now. Ask yourself:

What are these things worth to me? How would my life be different or better if I had all of these things?

Follow your values.

Once you’re clear on how valuable something is (or isn’t) to you, the choice is almost made for you.

​Join The Art of Money here.​

Step Four: The Cost of Not Buying This.

You’ve already explored what you hope this experience will bring you — the value. This is the opposite of that.

What will it cost you to NOT make this investment in yourself?

How is NOT doing this work hurting your mental health and holding you back in your life and career goals?

How much will it cost you over the next year?

What’s the cost of staying right where you are in your relationship to money?

Here are some common, painful consequences I’ve seen:

• Continual shame, guilt, fear, or anxiety about your financial situation.
• Conflict with your parents or your kids around money
• Money wasted on bank charges, late fees, unpaid taxes, and more — because your financial house isn’t in order.
• Career stress, confusion, or paralysis because you’re not sure how to move forward financially.
• Neglecting your most cherished dreams and values — because you can’t afford to invest in them (or aren’t sure if you can or “should”.)

What would it be worth to you to banish these things from your life, for good?

​​Join The Art of Money here.​​

Step Five. The Intention.

Is this a self-loving decision? Are you ready to receive the value of this investment?

Have you ever bought a fancy grill, dreaming of all the quality time you’d spend with family and friends outside … and then never used it? Or signed up for an online class, but missed the calls and skipped out on the practices?

A lot of people beat themselves up about this. We spend our money on something we think we’ll use and love … and then let it rot. Ouch.

The keys here are investing with intention and being ready to commit to changing some things in your life.

If you’re prepared to gently, lovingly hold yourself accountable for receiving the value of this investment…

If you’re prepared to invest not only your money, but your mind, your heart, your time, and your energy, as well…

Then everything is aligned for you to receive a powerful return on your investment.

So. Deep breath. Check in with yourself.

1. Look at your numbers.
2. Consider the timing.
3. Weigh the value.
4. Consider the cost of not acting.
5. Reflect on your intentions.

Is this your time?

Only YOU can know.

I wish you a grounded, clear-headed, savvy money decision process.

Tune into what matters the very most for you at this point in your precious life story.

And if the time is right, I’ll see you in the first live class of the program! ​

​You can join The Art of Money Program right here.​

With my dearest wishes,

“This is a wonderful program. I have done multiple courses with financial mentors over the years, and I appreciated the mix of work on the emotional/spiritual side of money with the practical.

The weekly co-working sessions are priceless, and supported me to make regular progress during the program. Bari also opened my eyes to many resources and people I did not even know existed.
This is a very high quality program.

Also, Bari is very empathic and knows how to coach different people in different ways. Also, I rarely could attend the live calls, but listened to all the replays, so being live is not essential (although preferred of course).”
​
~Ann Gadon