I Run a Financial Business but I Still Had to Unlearn Some Bad Money Habits

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Running a financial business doesn’t mean I’ve been immune to bad money habits in business. In fact, some of the things I help clients with today, I've had to work on those in my own business too. Because here’s the truth no one tells you:

Just because you know what to do doesn’t mean you’re always doing it—especially when emotions, fear, or survival mode are involved.

Even now, I still have to pause and check myself. These bad money habits in business didn’t disappear overnight. They changed because I started asking a better question: “Is this helping me grow—or keeping me stuck?”

So, if you're holding onto habits that used to work but now feel exhausting, this post is for you.

4 Bad Money Habits in Business I Had to Unlearn (That Might Be Holding You Back Too)

1. Waiting Until the End of the Month to “See What’s Left” Before Paying Myself

I used to treat owner pay like a bonus instead of a business expense. The problem? That meant I only paid myself if everything else worked out. Now? Owner pay is a line item, not an afterthought. It’s part of my financial plan—not a surprise or reward.

Small shift: Decide what your owner pay should be and build your budget around that. It’ll change the way you run your business.

2. Doing Mental Math Instead of Looking at Actual Numbers

I’d tell myself I was “probably” spending $2,000/month… when the real number was closer to $4,700. Sound familiar? Mental math is seductive—but it’s usually wrong.

Small shift: Look at your actual numbers. Not the vibe. Not the estimate. Not the hope. You can’t build stability on guesses.

3. Avoiding Decisions Until the Numbers Were Perfect

I used to hold off on investing, hiring, or even launching because my books weren’t “caught up” yet. I wanted everything to be sorted, reconciled, and color-coded first. But here’s what I learned:

You don’t need perfect numbers to make a smart decision.  You need useful numbers and the courage to act with what you’ve got.

4. Thinking I Could Do It All Myself

I know how to do my own books. I know how to build a financial system. That doesn’t mean I should be the one doing it all the time. The moment I brought in someone else to review my numbers? I saw things I had missed. I felt more accountable. I started using my numbers, not just updating them.

Small shift: Let someone support you. Even if you know what you’re doing, you don’t have to carry it alone.

Financial Growth Isn’t About Being Perfect

Unlearning old money habits isn’t about getting it right every time. It’s about being more aware. More intentional. More honest about what’s helping—and what’s holding you back.

Most of the clients I work with are already smart with money. They’ve built six-figure businesses, managed teams, survived launches, and made big moves.

And they’re still:

• Unlearning what hustle taught them

• Trying to trust their numbers again

• Figuring out how to pay themselves consistently

• Opening their bank apps and still feeling anxious

That’s real. That’s normal. And that’s where growth actually starts.

You’re Not Bad With Money. You’re Just Ready for a Better System.

If you’ve been beating yourself up about not doing everything “right,”

If you’re tired of mental gymnastics every time you spend,

If you know what to do but still feel stuck… You’re not alone. And you don’t need more pressure. You need a system and support that actually works for you.

Want Help Rebuilding Better Habits?

Join my email list for honest insights, real strategies, and practical tools to help you use your numbers to make smarter decisions (without judgment or shame). You’ll get weekly emails that feel like a financial exhale with real talk, tools, and clarity.

Join the list here and start building money habits that support your growth not your stress.