Before You Begin Your Money Journey
Real transformation starts with honest self-reflection. Before diving into financial strategies, let's explore where you stand today and what mindset shifts might unlock better money decisions for your future.
Your Current Money Story
We all carry stories about money from childhood, family patterns, and past experiences. Understanding these underlying beliefs helps explain why certain financial decisions feel natural while others create anxiety or resistance.
Defining Success Personally
Financial success means different things to different people. Some value security above growth, others prioritize freedom over accumulation. Clarifying your personal definition prevents chasing goals that don't actually matter to you.
Honest Assessment Time
Change happens when we acknowledge what's really going on with our money habits. This isn't about judgment – it's about creating a baseline for meaningful progress.
Most people discover they have more awareness than they realized. Sometimes the challenge isn't knowledge, but consistent application of what we already know works.
Your Preparation Roadmap
These steps help create the right foundation before formal learning begins. Each person moves through them differently, but the sequence tends to follow this natural progression.
Notice Current Patterns
Start observing your daily money decisions without changing anything. When do you spend impulsively? What triggers anxiety about finances? Awareness comes first, then understanding, then sustainable change.
Identify Emotional Triggers
Money decisions often happen in emotional states – stress, excitement, fear, or social pressure. Recognizing these patterns helps you pause and choose responses rather than react automatically to feelings.
Clarify Personal Values
What actually matters to you in life? When your spending aligns with your deepest values, financial decisions become clearer and feel more satisfying. Misalignment creates ongoing internal conflict.
Set Realistic Expectations
Sustainable change takes time. Quick fixes usually create rebound effects. Setting reasonable timelines and expecting some setbacks prevents the all-or-nothing thinking that derails long-term progress.
Learn From Those Who've Done the Work
Our team understands the psychology behind money decisions because we've walked similar paths. We've made mistakes, learned from them, and developed approaches that actually work in real life.
- Practical strategies tested in real-world situations
- Understanding of common psychological barriers
- Experience with different personality types and learning styles
- Honest perspective on what works and what doesn't
The goal isn't perfect money management – it's developing sustainable habits that support the life you want to build.
Ruben Castellanos
Specializes in helping people understand their money personalities and develop personalized strategies that actually stick. Former corporate finance professional who learned the hard way that technical knowledge alone doesn't create lasting change.
Kade Thornfield
Focuses on the emotional and psychological aspects of money management. Helps people identify and overcome limiting beliefs that sabotage their financial goals. Background in behavioral psychology and personal coaching.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If this preparation phase resonates with you, our comprehensive program begins in autumn 2025. We work with small groups to ensure personalized attention and genuine community support.