Let me guess: You've set financial goals before. Maybe you even started strong—tracking expenses for two weeks, opening that separate business account, finally calculating what you should set aside for taxes.
And then... life happened. You had a slow client month or an emergency. Or honestly? You just got tired of pinching pennies and updating spreadsheets.
That’s normal. Willpower doesn't work. Your "why" does.
Willpower doesn’t work. Your “why” does.
What’s a Money Why?
When you're freelancing or running a creative business, every day presents financial choices:
Do I save for taxes or buy that cool new equipment?
Do I stick to my rates or take on that exciting (but underpaying) project?
Do I build an emergency fund or finally take a real vacation?
And the easiest, most human thing in the world to do is to choose what feels good today over what's best for your future.
But when you're crystal clear on your “money why?” It becomes way easier to make choices that will help you build financial freedom.
Step 1: Finish this sentence (and get specific).
"I want to get my finances in order so that I can..."
Don't write "be financially stable" or "have more money." That’s too vague to motivate you when you wake up at 2am, stressed about a late payment.
Instead, dig deeper:
"...stop waking up at 2am panicking about late payments"
"...take a month off next summer without worrying about bills"
"...say no to terrible clients"
"...buy a house in three years"
"...support my parents when they retire"
"...prove to myself I can build wealth doing what I love"
Write yours down.
Step 2: Ask yourself "Why does it matter?"
Take your answer from Step 1 and go deeper.
Example: "I want to stop waking up at 2am panicking about late payments." →
Why does it matter? "Because I'm tired of anxiety controlling my life." →
Why does that matter? "Because I want to enjoy the creative freedom I worked so hard to build."
That's your real why. Write it down.
Step 3: Connect it to a specific feeling
Close your eyes for a moment. Imagine you've achieved your why.
What does it feel like in your body?
Peace?
Freedom?
Pride?
Safety?
Relief?
Name that feeling.
How to Use Your "Why" (The Practical Part)
Now that you have your why, make it work for you:
1. Put it somewhere visible
Write it on a Post-it note and stick it on your monitor. Keep it in your wallet or make it your phone lock screen. When you're making money decisions, read it first.
2. Connect your financial tasks to it
Every time you do something money-related, remind yourself why:
"I'm setting aside 30% for taxes so I can [YOUR WHY]"
"I'm tracking my expenses so I can [YOUR WHY]"
"I'm saying no to this low-paying project so I can [YOUR WHY]"
3. Revisit it quarterly
Your why might evolve, and that’s ok! Check in every quarter and adjust it if necessary.
Tell a trusted friend, partner, or accountability buddy. Speaking it out loud makes it more real.
Your Assignment This Week
Do the 5-minute exercise above. Seriously—stop reading and do it now. I'll wait.
Then reply to this email and tell me: What's your money why?
I read every response, and I'd love to hear yours.
Coming Up Next Month
Now that you have your why, next month's newsletter will tackle one of the biggest issues that most people face when it comes to getting their finances in order: debt.
We'll cover: ✅ How to audit your debts in terms of “good” debt that doesn’t need to be immediately paid off, versus “bad” debt that needs to be addressed as fast as you can ✅ Payoff order for maximum impact ✅ How to keep paying off debts even when your income goes up and down
Until then, keep your why close and be gentle with yourself. You're building something important here.
Cheers to your financial peace,
Creative Cash Coach
Love this newsletter? Forward it to a creative friend who needs to hear this.