Why That Feeling After Shopping Might Be Trying to Tell You Something

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Hey, Beautiful Mama! 👋

I want to share a story that changed how I think about money.

A few weeks ago, I interviewed Britt Baker from Dow Janes for our podcast.

If you haven't heard of Dow Janes, it started as a small living room "book club for finances" and has now grown to help nearly 10,000 women master their money.

During our conversation, Britt shared something fascinating.

She loves raspberries (me too!) but always felt guilty about buying them because they're so expensive…

$7 for a tiny container where she lives.

Her husband suggested a simple solution…

"Why don't you buy TWO containers of raspberries… one for you and one to give to the person behind you in line?"

Just like that, her entire relationship with spending shifted.

She went from feeling guilty about treating herself to feeling empowered by combining self-care with generosity.

This story resonated with me because I've experienced the same guilt around certain purchases.

Maybe you have too?

But what if our money mindset is actually holding us back from creating the financial freedom we deserve?

The Money Mindset Magic Most of Us Are Missing

Here's what I've come to realize: Most of us have been taught to think about money all wrong.

We learn about budgeting, savings, and investments (all important!), but rarely do we address the EMOTIONAL side of money…

The stories we tell ourselves about what money means and how those stories shape our financial decisions.

As Britt shared with us, "Nothing can shift in the practical world until you've dealt with the emotions."

This is why tracking our spending often fails to create lasting change.

We're focusing on the behavior without addressing the feelings driving it.

Think about it like trying to change your eating habits without understanding why you crave certain foods.

The "what" matters, but the "why" is where the real transformation happens.

Your Money Personality: Spender or Saver?

One of the insightful exercises Britt shared from their program involves tracking every dollar you spend for a month, but with a twist:

For each purchase, you note:

Was it a need or a want?

How did you feel about the purchase – good, bad, or neutral?

This simple practice brings consciousness to your spending and reveals patterns you might not even realize are there.

I immediately recognized I'm definitely a spender (which Stephen has known for years, haha!).

I buy things because I'm:

In a rush and looking for convenience

Emotional and seeking a quick mood boost

Caught up in the moment without thinking long-term

But knowing your pattern is the first step to changing it!

What about you?

Are you more of a natural spender, getting that dopamine hit from a new purchase?

Or are you a saver who struggles to enjoy your money even when you have it?

Neither is inherently right or wrong!

It's about becoming conscious of your pattern so you can align it with what truly matters to you.

Red Light, Yellow Light, Green Light: A Business Owner's Money Framework

Another gem Britt shared was their "Red Light, Yellow Light, Green Light" framework for business owners, and I think it applies perfectly to personal finances, too.

Red Light Activities:

These cost money but don't directly generate income. For a business, this might be branding or a fancy website. For personal finances, these are expenses that don't contribute to your financial goals or core values.

Yellow Light Activities:

These support income generation but aren't direct revenue producers. For a business, this might be writing content for a sales email. For personal finances, this could be education or health investments that support your ability to earn.

Green Light Activities:

These directly generate income. For a business, these are sales calls or product launches. For personal finances, these are actions that increase your income or investments.

When building a business (or rebuilding your finances), Britt recommends focusing almost exclusively on green light activities until you've proven your model works.

Only then have you "earned" the right to spend on red light activities.

I love this framework because it simplifies decision-making.

Instead of endless deliberation about whether something is "worth it," you can simply ask…

"Is this a red, yellow, or green light activity for me right now?"

The Values-Based Money Method

The most valuable part of my conversation with Britt was when she explained how Dow Janes helps women align their spending with their values.

The big question isn't "How can I spend less?" but rather "Is this purchase aligned with what matters most to me?"

For example, if health is a core value, spending $200 on takeout might not align, but spending the same amount on quality groceries and batch cooking would.

This shift from restriction ("I can't spend") to alignment ("I choose to spend on what matters") is where the magic happens.

So here's my challenge to you:

Identify your top 3 values when it comes to money.

Maybe it's security, experiences, education, generosity, or something else entirely.

Review your last week of spending.

How much of your money went toward these values? Where was there misalignment?

Choose ONE green light money habit to focus on this week.

This could be something that directly increases your income or directly builds your wealth.

The Practical Money Steps Every Mama Needs

Beyond mindset, Britt shared a clear roadmap for financial empowerment that I want to make sure you have:

If You're Just Starting Your Financial Journey:

Pay off credit card debt first.

With interest rates often above 20%, no investment will outpace this cost.

Build an emergency fund.

Put this in a high-yield savings account (4-5% interest currently) that's separate from your checking account so you're not tempted to spend it.

Start investing in retirement accounts.

These allow your money to grow tax-free or tax-deferred, which is a huge advantage over time.

One mistake Britt pointed out that I actually made myself (oops!) – when you put money in a retirement account, it doesn't automatically get invested.

I once left money sitting in cash for a year before realizing I needed to actually select investments!

Don't make my mistake.

If You're Ready to Level Up:

Track your spending with the emotions method above.

Notice not just what you spend, but how you feel about each purchase.

Create a "use it or lose it" fund for joy.

Set aside a specific amount each month for things that bring you joy – with the rule that if you don't use it, you donate it. This helps overcome the guilt of spending on yourself.

Practice the "wait 24 hours" rule.

For purchases over $100, give yourself 24 hours before buying.

If you're still thinking about it the next day, it might be worth it.

The Biggest Wealth Transfer in History
(And How to Not Miss It)

One compelling insight Britt shared…

We're currently experiencing the biggest wealth transfer in history as the Baby Boomer generation ages.

This means more women will have access to wealth than ever before – whether through inheritance, business opportunities, or other channels.

The key to making the most of this opportunity?

Financial education NOW, before the money arrives.

When you suddenly have access to more money, knowing the right order of operations (what to do first, second, third) makes all the difference in building lasting wealth versus just having a temporary windfall.

This is exactly why I'm so passionate about financial empowerment for moms – because we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create generational abundance for our families.

Your Money Action Steps This Week:

Try the "raspberry method."

Next time you feel guilty about buying something you truly want, buy two – one for you and one to give away.

Identify your #1 "green light" activity.

What's ONE thing you could do this week that would directly increase your income or wealth?

Do a quick values check.

Before your next purchase over $50, ask yourself:

"Is this aligned with my core values?"

With love and gratitude,
Chelsey 💕

P.S. Ready to transform your financial future and create generational abundance for your family? Book your FREE Family Freedom Design Session, where we'll help you map a path to both time and financial freedom. Click here to grab your spot!