Discover Your Money Values: The First Step to Financial Freedom

Understanding the influences that shape our financial behaviors is crucial for achieving long-term economic well-being. Our personal experiences, observations, and messages we receive contribute to our financial habits and behaviors. By examining these influences, we can gain valuable insights into our spending, saving, investing, and the financial stress we may experience.

Uncovering Your Personal Money Narrative

Recognizing your "money story" is vital to sustainable economic change. Before diving into budgeting tools or investment strategies, identifying and defining our relationship with finances lays the foundation for effective financial management and growth.

The FDIC's Money Smart Program: A Transformational Tool

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC) Money Smart program offers an interactive module titled "Your Money Values and Influences" that assists participants in:

1. Identifying the people and experiences that have shaped their financial mindset
2. Recognizing how emotions influence spending and saving decisions
3. Understanding the values that drive financial choices
4. Developing awareness of potential mishaps in money management

This module emphasizes that understanding your values can help you set achievable financial goals.

Why This Matters: Empowering Women and Young Adults

Understanding money values is particularly important for women and young adults. Many women report inheriting limiting beliefs about their financial abilities, and young adults often face a disconnect between the financial messages they observed during their upbringing and their current economic realities. Identifying these influences is empowering—you can't change patterns you don't recognize.

Take the First Step Today

The SOFEI Group invites you to explore the FDIC's Money Smart "Your Money Values and Influences" module. This engaging, interactive experience takes 20-30 minutes and provides insights that can transform your financial journey. Here's how to get started:

1. Create your free account at playmoneysmart.fdic.gov/register
2. If you choose to play the games through an organization, select The SOFEI Group
3. Complete modules at your own pace and earn certificates
4. Track your progress as you build financial knowledge playmoneysmart.fdic.gov

Need More Guidance?

The SOFEI Group offers in-person and online Money Smart sessions to guide participants through various financial modules. During these sessions, we collaboratively explore how to apply the materials to individual circumstances. Upon completion, participants receive an official FDIC certificate and personalized support to implement their newfound knowledge effectively.

Remember, financial wellness isn't just about numbers; it's about understanding yourself. Let's embark on this journey together.