You really are a superhero
If you remember the movie Spiderman with Tobey Maguire, there was a point in the story when he didn’t know what had happened to him. Peter Parker was afraid of himself. He went up to the roof to experiment with his webbing to learn how to summon it and control it. He didn’t get it right the first time. He fell over and over, and he fell hard. But the key thing is that he didn’t let his fear stop him. Spiderman would not quit until he understood his weakness and transformed it into a superpower totally under his control.
Your fear about finances is the same. My opening question reframes why your nervous system is freaking out over a pile of credit card bills. You have a personal power over your finances that no one has taught you how to use.
That ruthless anxiety is your own energy. Once you learn how money, debt, and interest rates work, you’ll also learn how to use them to your advantage rather than continue letting the banks clobber you with them.
The truth is those bills are numbers printed on sheets of paper. They are NOT carnivorous monsters. They can’t eat you.
More truth! You are a capable human being who can face this. You can turn the panic attack into your plan of attack.
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time, right? Same with a large stack of debts.
So here’s your mission for this week.
Should you choose to accept it, you’ll be taking the next step toward financial independence and sovereignty.
Step 1: Gather your most recent bill, credit card, and loan statements. Gather your paystub, investment brokerage statements, and banking statements.
Step 2: Open a spreadsheet or notebook. Date it and make four columns.
First column:
List all the liabilities (everything you owe that takes money out of your pocket)
Second column:
Write down the minimum payment for each liability/debt/loan
Third column
List all the assets (everything you own that puts money in your pocket like job, bonds, stocks, side hustles, etc.)
Fourth column:
Write down the income that each asset generates (salary, interest income, dividends, etc.)
Step 3:
Add up column 1 and then column 2
Add up column 3 and then column 4
Step 4: Diagnose.
Compare your two key totals:
Column 1 vs. Column 3: Is your Net Worth positive or negative?
Column 2 vs. Column 4: Is your Monthly Cash Flow positive or negative?
Here’s what your diagnosis means:
Positive Net Worth but Negative Cash Flow? Your fear is lying. You have a foundation! The problem is cash flow management, not solvency.
Negative Net Worth? You have a project. This is the "joyful rising" part. A project has a plan and an end date.
Negative Net Worth and Negative Cash Flow? This is financial triage. If your income doesn't cover minimum payments, it's time to consider a non-profit credit counselor (like NFCC.org) or a reputable debt consolidation program. This isn't failure—it's a strategic intervention.
When you think about doing this, what's the one thing that holds you back?
Is it the shame of seeing the number?
The dread of finding all the statements?
The fear of what you might have to give up?
Hit reply and tell me that one thing. I read every email, and your answer will shape what we talk about in upcoming issues.
To rising joyfully,
April
📚 APRIL'S ESSENTIAL READ OF THE MONTH
A quick note on one book that changed my thinking...
This Month: START: Punch Fear in the Face by Jon Acuff.
In One Line: The tactical guide to beating perfectionism and just starting.
Why It Fits: It's the manual for the courage we talked about last week.
Read my full take here: [Link to the full post]
Previous Issue - The $19,949 Reality Check
Disclosures & Disclaimers
I am not a licensed financial advisor, attorney, accountant, or credit counselor. The content provided in Joyful Rising Money IQ is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice.
The information presented is based on my personal experience and research and may not be suitable for your specific situation. You should consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions or changes to your strategy.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.
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