Hello Reader,
Ever pause before tapping your card and think, “Does this even feel right?” Ever feel like your money choices are about more than numbers?
That’s because they are. That’s conscious spending creeping in. It’s not about guilt, it’s about awareness. July’s been full of reflection: freedom, flexibility, planning for change. This week, let’s turn the focus outward to the people, places, and values we show up for with our wallets.
💬 Rant:
It’s wild how quickly we label something a “waste” if it isn’t the cheapest option. But money isn’t always about logic, sometimes it’s about alignment. So please stop thinking you made a “dumb” purchase.
You can budget for community. You can prioritize spending in a way that reflects who you are. That might mean buying from a local shop even when Amazon’s faster, tipping generously because you’ve been there, or attending a friend’s show even if the ticket’s a stretch.
It’s not irresponsible to spend on connection. It’s honest. And when you budget for those values not just restrict them *cough cough bean and rice no restaurant advice* you’re practicing conscious spending. It’s about agency, not austerity.
👀 Reflection:
I had a client who felt ashamed of how much they were spending at a local queer café each month. We dug in. Turns out, it was the one place they felt fully themselves after coming out: safe, welcome, and seen.
They weren’t “overspending.” They were investing in belonging.
We adjusted their money system to reflect that value. Cut back in areas that didn’t matter. Made space for what did. And that shift gave them not just financial relief, but emotional relief too. Because your money should back the life you want and not bully you into someone else’s version of it.
And lately, with everything happening in this country: laws being passed, rights being threatened. Spaces like that don’t exist by accident. They exist because people in the community show up for them. That $10 coffee and $8 baked good? It’s not just a splurge. It’s an act of preservation. A way of saying, “This space matters. You matter. Keep the lights on.” So buy the drink. Tip the staff. Attend the open mic night if they have them.
When we talk about mindful spending, we can’t leave out the power of protecting places where you’re allowed to breathe freely. That’s not wasted money that’s a budget with a backbone.
🔗 Resource:
Want to be more intentional with where your money flows? Here's a checklist to help you start now:
10 Ways to Spend Where You’re Seen – A Value-Aligned Spending Checklist
- 🛍️ Shop Local First – Choose neighborhood businesses over big-box stores when possible.
- 🏳️🌈 Support Identity-Affirming Spaces – Spend at queer-owned, BIPOC-owned, veteran-owned, or women-owned businesses that reflect your values.
- 🎁 Gift With Intention – Buy from artists, makers, or mutual aid raffles instead of defaulting to Amazon wishlists.
- 🍽️ Eat With Impact – Dine at local spots that create safe spaces or donate a portion of profits to community causes.
- 🪧 Give to Mutual Aid – Even $5/month to a local organizer or community fund can go further than large-scale donations.
- 💼 Hire Within Your Community – Hire local service providers (therapists, coaches, cleaners, photographers) whose work uplifts your values.
- ✊ Donate With Purpose – Regularly give to nonprofits, bail funds, or crisis response teams doing aligned work.
- 🛒 Buy Ethical Brands – Choose brands that are transparent about labor, sustainability, and social impact.
- 🧾 Budget for Belonging – Build room in your spending plan for spaces and experiences that affirm who you are.
- 📣 Share the Love – Recommend value-aligned businesses to friends, leave reviews, and repost their work to help them grow.
Reply to this email and tell me: What’s one way you plan to spend where you’re seen this month?
If you want help building a budget that reflects you … not just your expenses … book your free Q&A call here. You deserve to feel proud. Let’s build a system that supports the you you’re becoming.
Whether it’s $5 or $50, let your money speak your truth not someone else’s rules. Rooting for you,
Coach Becca
📩 Unmuted Money | Debt Tale
📆 Free Q/A Call | 📽️ Watch on YouTube