Breaking the Discomfort Around Money Conversations

Assalamu Alaikum, girlie!💐

So, I was mapping out next month’s content when it hit me—we’ve been rocking this newsletter for over a year now! Time flew, and I just have to say… from 15 subscribers (mostly friends & family I shamelessly coerced to join—sorry Aunty Binta😬) to where we are today, the growth has been real Alhamdulilah. I genuinely appreciate every single one of you for showing up, reading every week, and sharing your feedback with me.💜

Okay now, before I get all teary-eyed—let’s get into today’s topic: the Money Talks!

Imagine this: You’re sitting with close friends, catching up on life, careers, and family. Someone mentions buying a new car, another talks about a big family trip—but when the topic of money surfaces, the room goes quiet.

Sound familiar?

For many of us, talking about money feels uncomfortable or even taboo. But what if we could shift that narrative? Today, we’ll talk about the discomfort, uncover what’s holding us back, and learn how to have empowering conversations about money.

Why Is Talking About Money So Important?

In many cultures, money is considered a taboo subject. It’s personal, private, and, for some, even shameful to discuss. We’re taught to keep our finances to ourselves—whether it’s out of fear of being judged, or simply because it feels awkward to talk about something as intimate as money.

We are ashamed for not doing well financially and are envious of those who have it right, how will we ever move forward collectively? We stay silent when we’re overwhelmed about managing our finances, when we don’t know how to save or invest.

This silence keeps us stuck! It prevents us from learning from each other’s experiences and wisdom. Worse, it can lead to feelings of isolation and anxiety around money—especially when we’re unsure about the best way to manage our wealth.

Why Does Talking About Money Feel Uncomfortable?

Breaking through the discomfort of money talk is not just about getting used to discussing finances—it’s about empowering ourselves and each other. When we open up about money, it leads to growth, understanding, and progress. Here’s why these conversations are so important:

• Learning from Each Other:
  Talking openly about money allows us to learn from the experiences—both the successes and the challenges—of others. Whether it’s how they got out of debt, how they invested in their future, or how they stick to a budget, we can gain valuable insights.

• Building a Supportive Community:
  Money can be stressful, but when we share our financial stories, we create a safe space for others to do the same. These conversations help us support each other, especially when facing financial hardships or when we need inspiration to keep going.

• Removing Shame and Guilt:
  When we open up, we remove the stigma around money struggles. There’s no shame in needing help with budgeting or not having everything figured out. The more we talk about these topics, the less guilt and fear we associate with them.

• Changing the Narrative:
  Talking about money helps shift the narrative that financial success is only for a few. We can normalize financial growth and success for everyone, no matter their background or current situation.

Tips for Breaking the Discomfort 💬

1. Start with Small Steps
Begin by having informal conversations with friends and family members you trust. Start talking about money in casual ways—mention a financial goal, ask a friend about their budgeting habits, or share something you recently learned about saving or investing.

2. Normalize Financial Conversations
Normalize talking about money the way we talk about other topics in our lives. Share financial wins and roadblocks without shame or fear. Instead of saying “I am terrible with money” and everyone chuckles in agreement say, "I need help with budgeting," or, "I'm trying to minimize my impulse shopping by doing XYZ, what do you think?".

3. Be Transparent About Your Financial Journey
Don’t always keep everything to yourself. Share your goals and the steps you're taking to reach them. You can say things like, "I have paid off $5,000 in student loans so far, my debt-free date is May 6th" or "I just spent $3,000 from my emergency fund! That pushed my goal back by 2 months."

4. Invite Others to Join the Conversation
Create opportunities for others to share their financial stories with you. For instance, you can host a goal-setting chat with close friends where you discuss money goals, challenges, and tips. When you lead the conversation, it encourages others to join in and share. Your slogan: We listen & we don’t judge!

5. Acknowledge the Discomfort
It's okay to acknowledge that talking about money is uncomfortable. Everyone comes to the conversation from a different place, but acknowledging the awkwardness makes it less intimidating.

6. Educate Yourself
The more confident you are in your own financial knowledge, the more comfortable you’ll feel talking about it. Learn about budgeting, investing, and personal finance, and keep yourself informed about ways to improve your financial literacy.

7. Offer Genuine Support
When you talk to others about money, always approach the conversation with empathy. Don’t offer advice unless asked, and never judge someone’s situation. Instead, listen actively, provide supportive and thoughtful, and/or offer to be their accountability partner.

Money conversations don’t have to be uncomfortable or filled with shame. In fact, the more we talk about money, the more we empower ourselves and each other to take control of our financial pictures.

So, sis, start the conversation. Reach out to someone in your circle today and poke a hole the walls of discomfort. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn—and how much you can teach—when you share a thing or two about money.

If this newsletter has been valuable to you, spread the love by sharing with a friend!

Stay empowered,

Fatimah💎

Founder, Finance Girlie

p.s. what has been your favorite newsletter in the last year? hit reply, I’d love to know!