When Money Talks Back: How to Recognize (and Rewrite) Your Inner Financial Narrative
"I'll never be good with money."
"Who am I to invest that much?"
"I should have figured this out by now."
If you have ever caught yourself thinking any of these, you are not alone—and you are certainly not broken.
For professionals and entrepreneurs who are more than capable in their careers, it can be strangely humbling (and frustrating !) to realize how emotional and complex our relationship with money still is.
It is not about intelligence or income. Often, what is really holding us back isn't a lack of opportunity, but a quiet, persistent inner voice that questions our worth, our abilities, and our right to wealth.
Let's talk about that voice !
Negative self-talk doesn't always shout—it whispers. It creeps in as doubt when you are about to make a big investment, or as guilt when you finally allow yourself something you have earnt.
These whispers are often the voices of what Shirzad Chamine calls Saboteurs—internal characters like:
The Judge, who constantly tells you that you are not doing enough (or that you are too late).
The Avoider, who convinces you to ignore the financial stuff altogether because it is stressful.
The Hyper-Achiever, who makes your self-worth entirely dependent on success, but never lets you feel "done."
And then, layered on top of those inner critics, we find something else deeply rroted: our Money Archetypes.
Deborah Price's Money Archetypes are patterns we develop early in life—often unconsciously. They shape how we think, feel, and act with money.
Here are a few you might recognize:
The Innocent avoids financial responsibility and hopes someone else will take care of it.
The Warrior is decisive and goal-oriented but can become controlling and rigid around money.
The Martyr gives and gives, often at their own expense—emotionally and financially.
The Fool jumps into financial decisions impulsively, chasing the next big win.
None of these archetypes are inherently good or bad—but if one dominates your mindset, it can sabotage even the best strategies.
For example, if you are a high-performing entrepreneur with a strong Martyr archetype, you might consistently undercharge or overdeliver, feeling guilty when you prioritize your own financial goals. Or, if you have an Innocent archetype, you may have hired financial advisors or accountants you don't really understand or question—leaving you disempowered.
The good news? You are not stuck with these voices or patterns.
The transformation begins with noticing them—without judgment. If you can't name you ... you can't tame it!
Try this: The next time you hesitate on a financial decision, pause and ask:
Who is talking right now?
Is this my Warrior—or my Judge? My Magician—or my Avoider?
This kind of reflection isn't just mindset work. It's strategy. Because when you become aware of the script, you can start editing it.
Here are a few practical ways to begin that shift:
Notice the Pattern.
Track your thoughts around money for a week. What do you say to yourself when you spend, invest, save, or even just think about money?
Replace the Script.
Rewrite one recurring negative thought with a supportive, empowering one.
From: "I will mess this up."
To: "I am learning how to make confident financial decisions."
Name the Archetype.
Take note of which archetype shows up most often, and whether it is helping or hindering your goals. I created a free quiz that reveals which patterns may be running your financial show—and what to do about them!
Build a Ritual.
Whether it is journaling, reviewing your accounts weekly, or reciting a money mantra in the mirror (yes, really), consistency rewires the brain.
If you have already achieved success, this kind of internal work can feel... « indulgent ». Or like that is not "real" progress.
But here is the truth: Many people with $50K or even $500K to invest don't move forward—not because they lack options, but because something inside them hesitates.
Distrust. Guilt. Fear. Confusion. Noise.You name it!
Clearing that noise is what creates space for clarity. And clarity is where wise money decisions begin. Let's stop letting old stories write our financial futures. You get to choose a new one.
One thought at a time!