Her experience was not uncommon. The fear of losing everything or going back to the scarcity of the past can be powerful. It can cause individuals to make decisions that are not in their best interest or to avoid taking risks that could lead to greater wealth.

I assured her that these feelings were normal and that she was not alone. I could help her, but I needed a commitment from her to work together to make a permanent change in the way she related to wealth.

“I can do it.” She said softly. I felt that she needed to be understood and heard before she could accept the challenge of making this important change.

Sometimes as a Financial Advisor, I reach a point in a relationship after many years of working together where important information comes out that changes the nature of our relationship.

I should have asked the question about her family and how she was raised to relate to money years ago. But we were together in that moment on that important day and committed to moving forward.

We worked together to develop a financial plan that incorporated her values and addressed her concerns. We started by setting realistic financial goals and creating a budget that would allow her to enjoy her wealth while also saving for the future.

We talked about the importance of diversifying her investments and managing risk. We also discussed the benefits of giving back to her community and how it could help her find meaning and purpose beyond material possessions.

This took years of working together, but over time she began to feel more confident and in control of her finances. She learned to embrace her wealth and use it as a tool to create the life she wanted, rather than being controlled by it.

In the end, I was glad that she had opened up about her past struggles. It allowed us to address her fears head-on and develop a plan that would help her move forward with confidence and security.