BoomerGirl Diary

By the time I hit my mid 30s I began to realize my relationship with money was in need of some counseling. After nearly two decades of schooling, I was undeniably financially illiterate. The stock market scared me, friends in the financial world intimidated me, therefore college funds and retirement savings were virtually non-existent.

I decided I was ready to do something, but what? Having already lost some small investments, I felt I needed to take my time, read books, maybe watch some financial shows, and get myself up to snuff about all things money.

Well, it’s funny what happens when you tell the universe you want change in your life. Soon after my quest for financial literacy, stability and freedom began; I came across an article about the energy of money in a now-defunct alternative newspaper. The article was fantastic and included this affirmation that one could use when paying bills or making purchases:

This _ dollars and _ cent (insert your bill amount) is but a symbol of the rich, inexhaustible substance available to me now. I give thanks that a hundred times this much or more is now on its way to me and manifests quickly for my perfect use, meeting every financial obligation and every financial desire perfectly. Thank you.

I began saying the affirmation each time I paid a bill. When I was home alone, I would say it out loud. If not, I would just recite it in my head. After a short time, I had memorized the affirmation and began using it each time I made a purchase. I began to connect with my money differently and to feel gratitude for the flow of money in my life and in the universe. I found myself feeling much calmer when I paid bills. Anxiety during bill paying became gratitude for the services and goods I received in exchange for my money — even the $600 natural gas bill during that cold snap one winter. I was on to something; our debt was shrinking and my relationship with money was maturing into something healthy and empowering — all from a hokey little affirmation.

Here it is, years later, and I still remember to use that affirmation quite often. I’m not yet a millionaire and wasn’t able to retire at age 40, but I have achieved a level of financial literacy and freedom I am proud of. Now, if I could just avoid having to use that affirmation every April 15th!