Confidence Unlocked

Tag: financial literacy

  • How to Get Confident With Your Money (and Affirmations to Keep You Going!)

    Let’s be real: money talk can feel… loaded. Maybe you’ve felt ashamed for not knowing enough, or worried you’re just not “good with money.” But here’s the truth: you’re allowed to learn, grow, and change your story with money.

    Financial confidence doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built step by step—by getting real with your numbers, learning new things, and celebrating the small wins. Today, I’m sharing 6 simple steps to help you build that confidence—and some powerful affirmations to keep you on track when it feels tough.

    1️⃣ Get Real With Your Numbers

    The first step? Get honest about where you’re at—your income, expenses, debts, and savings. No judgment, just information.

    I used to avoid looking at my bank account because it felt so overwhelming. But once I faced it, I realized knowledge is power. It gave me clarity, and that’s the foundation of confidence.

    Affirmation:

    “I am worthy of understanding my money. I can handle this.”

    2️⃣ Learn the Basics (No Overwhelm!)

    You don’t need to be a financial guru. Just focus on the basics—like how to make a budget that feels good, how interest works, and how to prioritize your spending.

    Start with simple resources that speak your language. There’s no shame in googling “what is a budget?”—everyone starts somewhere.

    Affirmation:

    “I am learning new things every day. I am growing in knowledge and confidence.”

    3️⃣ Set Small, Achievable Goals

    Confidence is built by doing. Tiny money goals are like baby steps to a bigger financial life:

    ✅ Save £50 this month.

    ✅ Cook at home more.

    ✅ Check your accounts weekly.

    These small actions build up your self-belief. And every time you tick one off, you’re proving to yourself: I can do this.

    Affirmation:

    “I celebrate my progress, no matter how small.”

    4️⃣ Celebrate Every Win

    Yes, even the little ones! We’re so quick to criticize ourselves for mistakes, but how often do we pause and say, “Wow, I did that!”?

    When you celebrate paying off a bill or sticking to your budget, you’re telling your brain: this matters, and I’m proud of me.

    Affirmation:

    “I am proud of myself for every step I take.”

    5️⃣ Invest in Your Growth (Literally!)

    Confidence grows when you invest in your future. That might mean learning about investing, opening a savings account, or buying a course that levels up your skills.

    Or it could be investing in you—like taking care of your mental health or buying tools that make managing money easier.

    👉 Affiliate-friendly tip: Check out my favorite Amazon finds that make money management feel fun and supportive:

    ✔️ Budget Planner Notebook – Keeps it organized and even a little bit inspiring!

    ✔️ Motivational Affirmation Cards – Perfect for daily mindset shifts.

    ✔️ Reusable Whiteboard – Visualize your progress like a pro!

    Affirmation:

    “I trust myself to invest in my future with love and intention.”

    6️⃣ Change Your Money Story

    So much of money confidence is mindset. Start catching those old stories in your head—like “I’m bad with money” or “I’ll never be debt-free”—and gently flip the script.

    Affirmation:

    “I am creating a new story with money. One of trust, growth, and possibility.”

    Conclusion

    Building confidence with money isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up for yourself, over and over. You’re allowed to learn, you’re allowed to stumble, and you’re allowed to keep going.

    Remember: you’re more than your bank balance. Your worth is not defined by a number—it’s defined by the way you choose to grow and care for yourself.

    Call to Action:

    I’d love to hear from you! What’s one small money goal you’re working on this month? Drop it in the comments—I’ll cheer you on! 

  • Money Trauma: Growing Up Without, Living in a Crisis, and the Lifelong Impact on Confidence

    Money trauma is real

    Money trauma is real. It’s not just about a bank balance—it’s about how money (or the lack of it) can shape your sense of worth, safety, and identity. For me, that feeling of not having enough has been a shadow in every corner of my life.

    I grew up with nothing. My dad was a single father with just four recipes on repeat. We never went on holidays, never went on school trips. Nice clothes? That was a luxury I didn’t dare to dream about. Money was something other people had. In my world, it was always “not enough.” And because of that, I grew up thinking I was “not enough” too.

    From being a benefit kid to a care kid, I saw firsthand how money shapes lives. Kids with money walked taller. They wore the clothes that fit in. They had shiny gadgets and easy laughter. I watched from the sidelines, shrinking inside, feeling like my worth was on clearance sale—like the second-hand clothes I wore.

    It’s taken me years to understand this: money trauma isn’t just about what’s in your wallet. It’s about how you see yourself, how you expect to be treated by the world. It seeps into everything—like how I’d say no to things I wanted because I felt I didn’t deserve them. Or how I’d spend money as soon as I got it, like it was too hot to hold. Or how I’d freeze up in conversations about money, sure that everyone else had it all figured out and I was the only one lost.

    The Cost of Living Crisis Today

    And now? The cost of living is rising higher than ever, and it’s like my childhood is playing out on repeat for millions of children today. Over 4.5 million kids in the UK are living in relative poverty—almost a third of all children. They’re growing up with empty fridges, worn-out uniforms, and that same tight knot in their stomachs I remember so well.

    I know what that does to a child’s confidence. When you don’t have enough, you feel like you’re not enough. That’s what money trauma does—it tells you to play small, to expect less, to never ask for more. And it doesn’t end when you grow up. It seeps into your job interviews, your relationships, your dreams.

    You’re enough regardless of your financial situation

    The Power of Financial Literacy

    Here’s what I wish I’d known sooner: money trauma doesn’t have to be a life sentence. Learning about money—truly learning, not just crunching numbers—has been one of the most healing things I’ve done for my confidence. Because when you understand money, you stop being afraid of it. You stop letting it decide your worth.

    Financial literacy isn’t just about budgeting or investing. It’s about teaching yourself, step by step, that you deserve security. That you deserve to have choices. That you’re allowed to want more than survival. And for kids growing up in poverty today, it’s the difference between feeling trapped by their circumstances and seeing a door they can open.

    My Journey: From Scarcity to Self-Worth

    I’m still on this journey, and some days it’s messy. Some days I still feel that old shame creeping in—like I’m not allowed to talk about money, not allowed to want it. But here’s what I know now: I’m not that little girl anymore. I’m not just a “benefit kid.” I’m not just someone who never went on holiday. I’m someone who can rewrite my story, one honest conversation at a time.

    I’m telling my story. No more silence. Shame thrives in the dark, so I’m shining a light on it. I’m learning, step by step. No finance degree, just curiosity and compassion for myself. Tracking my spending, learning how to save—baby steps, but they matter. I’m giving myself grace. My past wasn’t my fault. I didn’t choose to be a child in poverty, and I’m done punishing myself for it. I’m choosing to believe I’m worthy. Money isn’t a measure of my worth. It’s a tool I can learn to use.

    A Note to Anyone Who Feels the Same

    If you’re reading this and feeling the same ache I’ve carried, please know this: you’re not alone. Money trauma is sneaky and stubborn, but it’s not who you are. Your worth was never meant to be measured in pounds or pence. You deserve to stand tall, to speak up, to feel safe and seen—no matter what your bank balance says.

    Let’s rewrite our money stories together. Let’s teach ourselves—and our children—that confidence isn’t just for those with money. It’s for all of us, because we’re all worthy of a life that feels rich in every way.

    Love Lorraine x