I’ve taught thousands of women and couples how to do this. As a podcast host, people know me for my candid, uncannily insightful and profound perspectives on approaching money the Jewish way.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
Despite my B.A. in Economics, M.B.A. in Finance, and my posh career in investment banking, when it came to handling my money, I was pretty much hopeless.
Oh boy… I spent my 20’s living it up. (Read: making very costly mistakes like…..!)
Cue the shame:
Why can’t I get it together?”
Aren’t I supposed to be ‘good with money’?”
Though I would have never admitted it, deep down I thought, “I’m lucky I’m a woman, and one day a husband aka Prince Charming will take care of all this stuff for me.” ( Yes, I’m rolling my eyes too.)
“Prince Charming” did sweep me off my feet. And lovingly allowed me to do what I’d mastered really well: the simple and enjoyable art of spending.
But, G-d is infinitely wiser than I am…
When our finances took a hard hit in the 2008 Recession and money became a sore point in my otherwise wonderful marriage, I put my big girl skirt on, and overhauled my love-hate relationship with money for good. My (over)spending, and dumping all the financial stuff on my husband was stressing him out, and causing conflict. I needed to address it – for our bank balance and for our relationship.
So, If I really wanted to change my thoughts, feelings and behaviors around money, I needed to go beyond the personal finance books, and tap into the eternal wisdom of Judaism.
So I turned to the Jewish sources, and what I learned blew me away.
I came out of that recession a changed woman – confident, calm & yes, wealthier! Money is no longer a sore point with my husband. We talk about it frequently and honestly (Sorry, Laura Doyle). We plan together for our future, and make conscious financial decisions, together.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, run your own business or work for someone else. The way you engage with money reflects so much more than your bank account.
I hope you’ll join me on a journey towards the rich life that’s waiting for you…
I’M AN INTROVERT
Don’t tell cuz no one would ever know.
I LOVE TO TRAVEL, BUT I HATE AIRPLANES.
The smell, the confinement, the turbulence. Need I say more?
I READ BOOKS...
a lot of books, especially the self help kind.
I SAID YES AFTER ONLY 5 DATES.
My intuition never fails me. When I know, I know.
MY FIRST NAME IS ACTUALLY NOT YAEL.
I won't be chopping anyone's head soon, but I do identify with the Biblical character.
I CONSIDER MYSELF THE MOST FORTUNATE GIRL IN THE WORLD.
So.much.gratitude.
MY MATH SKILLS ARE BELOW AVERAGE.
So, what?
I’M AN ONLY CHILD.
And I'm not spoiled, inflexible, bossy or antisocial. Ok, for the most part.
MY HAPPY PLACE IS THE BEACH.
Second by a well-air-conditioned library.
I TRAVELED TO ISRAEL FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH FRIENDS AT 18.
Learned the best Economics lesson of my life. Read about it here.