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Forbes
18-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Rethinking Wealth And How Money Became A Social Technology
We often consider wealth a measure of what we accumulate—dollars, stocks, assets. But what if that definition is incomplete? What if wealth isn't just about numbers but about how we connect with others? Elizabeth Husserl, the first female principal and cofounder of Peak 360 Wealth Management, is challenging that definition. With a background in economics, psychology and money coaching, she's leading a new conversation around how we define and experience money. Her message is simple but powerful: Money is a social technology. Like language, it only works because we all agree it does. 'Money is a tool,' Husserl explains. 'It was created to help us exchange goods and services. But over time, it's become something more complex. It's now a stand-in for status, success and even self-worth. That's where we get into trouble.' A study from Edelman Financial Engines illustrates this disconnect. Fewer than one-third said they felt wealthy, even among individuals with over $1 million in assets. Only 12% of total respondents felt financially secure, and more than half of affluent individuals said they'd need over $3 million in the bank to feel truly at ease. Something deeper is at play here. Shifting our view of wealth from financial to relational reframes how we experience money's role in our lives. It's not about the numbers in your account but the meaning we give them. Across time, cultures have used everything from shells to digital currency to represent value. As Aristotle said over 2,000 years ago, gold's worth came not from the metal itself but from what society agreed it was worth. 'We've confused the tool with our identity,' Husserl says. 'Credit scores have replaced trust. Bank accounts are used to measure personal value. But money was never meant to carry that kind of emotional burden.' In addition to her work centering on separating money from the deeper idea of wealth, Husserl wrote a book called The Power of Enough. 'Money is measurable. Wealth is experiential,' she says. That belief anchors her Wealth Mandala, a Sanskrit word for circle. It's a framework tool used to go from suffering to joy while assessing fulfillment across 12 core human needs like purpose, rest, belonging and connection. Often, even high earners are surprised by what they learn. 'They might score a 10 in financial security but only a 2 in leisure or physical health,' she notes. 'It's a wake-up call.' Instead of chasing more, the certified money coach encourages people to ask, 'Where do I already feel fulfilled? Where do I feel lacking?' This approach lifts the pressure off the idea of money and brings balance back into the conversation. Start by reflecting on your earliest memory of money. What beliefs did you inherit about success or scarcity? Then, each night, write down three things that made you feel fulfilled that day. This is different than a gratitude exercise. This forces you to pay attention to your needs that are being met. 'When we start to recognize what satisfies us, what starts to happen is that our body starts to relax and rest,' she comments. 'It cues the mind like, 'Hey, we're not on red alert right now. We actually feel enough. We have enough. We are enough.' Over time, this practice builds compounding emotional wealth. Like interest in a savings account, that inner fulfillment grows.' Wealth, at its most powerful, is about understanding what truly matters. Let's start seeing money as a shared tool and free ourselves to create lives built on meaning, not just metrics.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Valentine's Day Can Ruin Your Finances as a Couple (And How To Keep That From Happening)
It's meant to be the most romantic day of the year — but if you're not careful, overspending on your Valentine can have devastating effects on your bank account. Read Next: Check Out: 5 Subtly Genius Moves All Wealthy People Make With Their Money As someone who regularly advises clients on major financial decisions, Jessica Wright, owner of Cash For Houses Tennessee, has witnessed how special occasions like Valentine's Day can impact couples' financial stability. 'Through my decade of experience helping couples navigate property investments, I've seen how emotional spending can affect long-term financial goals.' Elizabeth Husserl, finance expert, co-founder of Peak360 and author of The Power of Enough, also noted that finances can strain Valentine's Day for couples when expectations around spending aren't aligned, leading to feelings of disappointment, resentment or guilt. 'One partner may feel pressured to overspend to prove their love, while the other might feel anxious about financial strain, creating unnecessary tension in the relationship,' she explained. Below are some ways experts say this special day can end up ruining your finances as a couple — and how to keep that from happening. 'I see Valentine's Day overspending show up in mortgage applications months later,' said Wright. She said many couples put hundreds or thousands on credit cards for this one day, not realizing how it affects their debt-to-income ratio when applying for home loans. 'Last month, I worked with a young couple who had to postpone their home purchase because their Valentine's celebration from the previous year was still sitting on their credit card, pushing their ratios above the qualifying threshold,' she explained. Be Aware: According to Wright, social media creates unrealistic pressure that drive financial strain. 'I recently counseled clients who felt compelled to book an expensive weekend getaway to match their friends' Valentine's celebrations, even though they were saving for a down payment.' This pressure to compete through grand gestures, she explained, often leads to regrettable financial decisions that can take months to recover from. According to Husserl, when love becomes measured by the price tag of a gift rather than the depth of connection, it can reinforce unhealthy money dynamics — such as avoidance, comparison or even shame. 'Instead of fostering intimacy, financial stress around Valentine's Day can lead to arguments, unmet expectations and a lingering sense of imbalance in the relationship,' she explained. She said that by having open, honest conversations about what truly matters and setting shared financial boundaries, couples can avoid these pitfalls and focus on celebrating their relationships in a way that feels fulfilling rather than financially burdensome. Fostering a healthy money relationship doesn't mean you have to neglect your romantic relationship. Here's how to make the most of Valentine's Day without harming your finances. 'My experience shows that relationship satisfaction doesn't correlate with Valentine's spending,' said Wright. 'Several of my most successful client couples skip the expensive celebrations entirely. Instead, they put that money toward shared goals like home renovations or investment properties.' One couple she works with takes their 'Valentine's budget' each year and adds it to their real estate investment fund. 'They've now built up a significant portfolio while strengthening their relationship through shared financial purpose.' If you still want to celebrate Valentine's Day together, look into free activities instead of spending on pricey gifts and outings. Experts note that smart couples can celebrate meaningfully without compromising their finances. Wright recommended setting a strict Valentine's budget in January, looking for creative, low-cost alternatives like cooking together, and focusing on shared experiences that build toward future goals. 'My husband and I personally celebrate by working on our home improvement projects together — it's become our tradition that adds value to our property while creating lasting memories,' she said. Instead of unconsciously spending this Valentine's season, Husserl said to ask: What expressions of love bring the most fulfillment? 'A handwritten letter, a day spent together, a vulnerable share or an experience aligned with shared values can carry far more significance than an expensive dinner or gift,' she explained. 'By recognizing that wealth extends beyond money, couples can approach Valentine's Day — and finances in general — with intentionality, reducing stress while deepening their connection in ways that truly matter.' More From GOBankingRates3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 Find Your State: The Best Banks of 2025 For Each State 9 Things You Must Do To Grow Your Wealth in 2025 This article originally appeared on How Valentine's Day Can Ruin Your Finances as a Couple (And How To Keep That From Happening) Sign in to access your portfolio
