Your Future Financial Selves

Shanta Lee

Hello, and welcome to the Twogether Money Podcast, a place for high-income couples who wonder where it all went. My name is Shanta, and as a retired financial advisor with a counselling diploma, I'm here to help before it's too late.

Shanta Lee

Okay, picture this: it’s one year from now, and your future selves are sitting right across from you at the kitchen table. They are here to show you where you'll be in one year. You’re sipping coffee, maybe a little nervous, but mostly just… curious.

Shanta Lee

They start talking; let's listen in.

Shanta Lee

I can see that look on your faces—yeah, that familiar mix of overwhelm and, let’s be honest, a little bit of shame about your money situation. Especially when you know what you earn, right? I remember that feeling so well. The avoiding, the vague anxiety, the “we should do something, but where do we even start?” It’s heavy. And the silence around money? It just makes it heavier.

Shanta Lee

But here’s the thing—breathe. Seriously, take a deep breath with me. If I could get to this place of peace, savings, no debt, and just a calm feeling about money, then you can too. I’m living proof. And the Twogether Money playbook? It’s not just about budgeting. The principles are universal, and they start with one thing: your self-image.

Shanta Lee

Right now, you might see yourselves as “bad with money,” or “people who avoid financial planning,” or even “we just can’t get ahead, even though we make good money.” That self-image? It’s running the show. It’s dictating your reality. I used to be the spreadsheet wizard, the advisor with all the answers, but inside, I was just as stuck. It wasn’t until I left the finance world that I realized—my self-image needed a total overhaul. I had to see myself as a builder of soulful wealth, not just a numbers person.

Shanta Lee

So, here’s the first Twogether Money technique: start building your self-image as a couple who is calm, organized, and totally capable of managing money. See yourselves as people who make conscious, enjoyable decisions with money, who save easily, who talk about finances openly and productively. This isn’t about pretending to be someone you’re not—it’s about becoming the real, capable you. That’s your new target. You are Wealth Creators, even if it feels a little weird to say it out loud at first.

Shanta Lee

Now, let’s talk about those sneaky beliefs that keep you stuck. You know the ones—“We’re too busy to budget,” “Financial planning is too complicated,” or “We earn a lot, so we deserve to spend without thinking.” Those are like little hypnotic suggestions, quietly running in the background. And honestly, they’re just old scripts. They’re not the truth.

Shanta Lee

One of the most powerful things you can do is start identifying these beliefs. Ask yourself, “Is this really true? Or is it just a habit, or maybe an excuse?” In Twogether Money, we use hypnotic techniques—don’t worry, you don’t need a swinging pocket watch—to challenge and rewrite these scripts. Replace overwhelm with clear, actionable intentions. Instead of “I’m bad with money,” try “I’m learning to manage our money with confidence.” It sounds simple, but your brain needs that new script.

Shanta Lee

And when it comes to goals, here’s the trick: vague targets like “get better with money” just don’t cut it. Your brain needs a vivid, emotional vision. What does your ideal financial life look like? What does it feel like? For me, it was peace, savings, teamwork, and freedom from that constant low-level anxiety. That’s what I fed into my “success mechanism”—and that’s what you want to feed into yours. The more detailed and emotional, the better. That’s how you get your mind working for you, not against you.

Shanta Lee

Here’s where it gets practical. You don’t have to fix everything overnight. In fact, please don’t try. That’s a recipe for overwhelm and, honestly, for giving up. Instead, we use the 21-day rule. Pick one or two small habits—maybe it’s pausing before a purchase and asking, “Is this really necessary?” Or maybe it’s keeping an evidence journal for 15 minutes each night, jotting down every little win or insight.

Shanta Lee

And if you’re feeling anxious before a money conversation, try the “quiet room in your mind” technique. Just close your eyes, imagine a peaceful space, and let your nervous system settle. Then, approach your finances as just data—no blame, no panic. It’s just information.

Shanta Lee

I remember a couple I worked with—let’s call them Sam and Priya. They had one slip-up, a big unexpected bill, and at first, panic set in. But instead of spiraling, they used their short-term savings bucket, regrouped, and actually turned it into a little spreadsheet victory. That’s the power of micro-habits and nonjudgmental teamwork. Every setback is just a creative opportunity to learn and adjust.

Shanta Lee

Now, let’s talk about connection. Money isn’t just about numbers—it’s about trust, communication, and feeling like you’re on the same team. One of the best things you can do is practice daily financial check-ins. Nothing fancy—just a few minutes to share how you’re feeling, what’s working, and what’s not.

Shanta Lee

Try creating a shared financial vision board. It sounds a little arts-and-crafts, but trust me, it works. Seeing your goals and values in pictures and words makes them real. It’s a reminder of what you’re building together.

Shanta Lee

And don’t forget the weekly review session. Celebrate your progress, talk about what’s challenging, and adjust your strategies as needed. It’s not about perfection—it’s about continuous engagement and mutual support. That’s how you build real trust around money.

Shanta Lee

Finally, let’s talk about abundance and resilience. Every day, try listing three financial blessings or positive money moments. Maybe it’s a small win, a good conversation, or just noticing that you’re less stressed than you used to be. This shifts your focus from scarcity to abundance, and it’s honestly a game-changer.

Shanta Lee

And when things get tough—because, let’s be real, life happens—reflect on past challenges and the lessons you learned. That’s how you build resilience. You’ve handled hard things before, and you’ll handle them again.

Shanta Lee

Visualization is another powerful tool. Regularly imagine your ideal financial future—what it looks like, what it feels like, who you’re with. The more you practice, the more your nervous system starts to believe it’s possible. That’s how you reinforce your commitment and emotional connection to your goals.

Shanta Lee

So, as your future selves, let me just say: you’ve got this. Start with your self-image, build those small habits, deepen your connection, and keep your eyes on abundance. The practical steps will follow. And hey, we’ll be here, cheering you on, every step of the way.

Shanta Lee

If you want a peaceful and calm around money future self, and you'd like to learn more, visit my website at TwogetherMoney.com. That's T-W-O gether money, like the number 2. And here's a fun fact: it's the only place where you can purchase my books, so get those fingers moving and I'll see you over there!