“Show me the money.”
It’s the phrase that stuck in our heads from movies, memes, and magazine covers. But have you ever stopped to ask: What does it really mean to me?
For some, it’s about earning more.
For others, it’s about finally feeling free.
And for one of my earliest clients, it was about repairing her relationship — with both her partner and herself.
This is Pauline’s story. And through it, I want to take you beyond numbers and budgets, into the psychology of money — and why “show me the money” is deeply personal.
She Earned More — But Felt Worse
Pauline was my third-ever client. She booked a money coaching session hoping to get some structure around budgeting. She had just received a salary increase of €20,000 — yet was struggling to make ends meet.
The plan? A simple spreadsheet, Revolut categories, and a savings tracker.
But the moment our Zoom session started, I knew this wasn’t going to be a “simple” fix.
She shared three things:
- Her budgeting was all over the place
- She had built up credit card debt
- She hadn’t told her husband — who earned half her salary but was still managing to save
My first instinct was to problem-solve. But something told me to pause and ask the obvious:
“Why haven’t you told him?”
Her voice cracked.
“Because I’m ashamed. I earn more. There’s no excuse for me to be in this mess.”
That was the moment I knew — we weren’t just going to look at numbers.
We were going to explore her past.
The Real Root: A Father Who Feared Spending
Over the next few sessions, Pauline unpacked a money story shaped by childhood memories. Her father was a chronic saver, to the point of deprivation.
She wore second-hand clothes. Ate tinned food. Skipped school outings — until her mother secretly covered the cost.
And worst of all?
She grew up in a home with money, but never felt safe around it.
“I thought we were poor,” she said, “but we weren’t. He just never allowed us to live.”
So when Pauline got her big promotion, something inside her snapped.
“I told myself I deserved it. That I’d never live like that again.”
New handbags. Expensive lunches. Overspending became rebellion — against her childhood, her father, and that tight grip on every euro.
When We Say “Show Me the Money,” What Are We Really Saying?
We all carry emotional baggage around money. For some, it’s guilt. For others, it’s scarcity, fear, or even entitlement.
In Pauline’s case, money meant freedom. Power. Control. A chance to rewrite her story.
But the strategy she chose — spending without limits — created a different prison.
When we began our work, I asked her:
“What does money really mean to you?”
She said, “Security. And a chance to feel alive.”
I smiled. “That’s a good start. Now let’s align your actions to that meaning.”
We Can’t Budget Without Beliefs
Too often, financial advice skips over the emotional work.
Yes, we created a budget. Yes, we tracked her spending.
But more importantly, we mapped out her money beliefs using a process from Deborah Price’s Money Magic. Pauline was a classic Fool archetype — someone who knows how to make money, but struggles to keep it.
And once we identified that, everything changed.
We built her roadmap:
- Reconnect with her husband and rebuild trust through transparency
- Set real, specific financial goals — including preparing for motherhood
- Shift from fear of restriction to celebration of conscious spending
From Budget Overwhelm to Balance
Pauline wasn’t the only one who needed this.
I had my own “show me the money” moment too.
At 18, my dad lost his job. Within days, we were eating canned tuna and watching my mum sell her jewellery just to pay school fees.
It shaped me. I became the King of Budgeting. Obsessed. Frugal. Unbending.
I had the knowledge. But I didn’t have the balance.
It took a health scare, two miscarriages, and hitting rock bottom to wake me up.
Money isn’t about stacking up digits on a screen. It’s about designing a life worth living.
So, What Does Your Money Mean?
For Pauline, the turning point was when she wrote down her financial goals — properly — for the first time.
They weren’t numbers.
They were:
- Start a family
- Feel in control
- Stop the cycle of shame
The same goes for you.
When you say “show me the money”, what are you actually asking for?
Security? Recognition? Peace of mind?
Until you know the answer to that, no budget, no raise, no investment can make you feel whole.
Want to Discover What “Show Me the Money” Means for You?
If you’re ready to do the deep work, not just the number crunching — let’s talk.
📅 Book a free discovery session with me here
Let’s uncover the beliefs behind your behaviours and build a plan that finally sticks.
📅 Book your free discovery session here
Author: Luca Caruana
———————— About the Author: Luca Caruana
Hi, I’m Luca, a Certified Money Coach, dedicated to helping individuals break free from limiting beliefs and build lasting wealth.
My proven strategies empower clients to break free from financial constraints and confidently navigate the world of money—whether it’s managing budgets, making savvy investments, or pursuing new financial opportunities.
With over a decade of hands-on experience in personal finance and mindset coaching, I’ve guided countless clients through the process of transforming their financial narratives. My approach combines deep psychological insights with practical financial tactics, ensuring that each client not only learns how to manage money effectively but also develops the mindset necessary to truly thrive. I’ve seen firsthand how a positive money mindset can be the game-changer that propels you toward financial freedom and a more fulfilling life.
Let me show you how to harness the power of your beliefs to create a future filled with opportunity and prosperity. Let’s talk and start transforming your financial future today.