Stress, money and your well being
From Financial Stress to Success: How to Build Confidence with Your Money
A few years ago, Shirley Dempsey sat in a high-powered corporate finance role, surrounded by spreadsheets, forecasts, and bottom lines. But something didn’t sit right. The conversations she had with clients weren’t just about numbers. Fear, overwhelm, and confusion dominated every discussion. Smart, capable business owners and professionals hesitated to ask questions about their own finances, as if understanding money was something only accountants were meant to do.
It was a pattern she couldn’t ignore. People weren’t struggling because they lacked financial opportunity—they were stuck because of fear, limiting beliefs, and the emotional weight they attached to money. That realisation led Shirley to leave the corporate world and create Balanced by Shirley, a financial mentorship service designed to help people build confidence in managing their finances.
I sat down with Shirley for this episode of Honest & Goodness to explore why so many people feel disconnected from their financial health, how money mindset shapes financial decisions, and what practical steps anyone can take to move from financial stress to clarity and confidence.
Why So Many People Avoid Their Finances
Shirley sees it all the time—business owners who avoid checking their bank balances, people who feel guilty about spending, and families who talk about money only when something has gone wrong. Financial literacy isn’t just about knowing how to budget or invest. It’s about understanding the emotions tied to money and challenging the beliefs that keep people stuck.
Fear is a powerful barrier. Many people inherit money stories from their upbringing—messages like money doesn’t grow on trees, rich people are greedy, or you have to work yourself to the bone to get ahead. These beliefs become ingrained, shaping every financial decision from saving to spending.
But what happens when you challenge those beliefs? What if money wasn’t about fear, stress, or scarcity, but about security, freedom, and choice?
Bridging the Gap: Why Financial Confidence Matters
Shirley works closely with business owners who feel intimidated by accountants and financial advisors, afraid to ask questions or admit they don’t fully understand their numbers. But she insists on one thing—your accountant works for you. If you don’t understand something, ask. If you feel out of control with your finances, take small steps to rebuild that trust in yourself.
In the episode, we discuss:
Why financial stress has such a deep impact on mental health and decision-making
How financial literacy should start early and be a lifelong skill
The biggest mistakes business owners make with money
How to separate emotional spending from intentional financial choices
The importance of having a simple system to track income and expenses
A Practical Approach to Financial Well-Being
Money will always be a part of life, but financial stress doesn’t have to be. The key is to develop a routine that puts you in control.
Start with small, consistent habits. Track what’s coming in and going out. If you don’t already have a financial plan, create a simple one—Shirley shares practical ways to do this in the episode. If debt feels overwhelming, shift your perspective and learn when it can be a tool instead of a burden.
Shirley also believes in the importance of teaching children about money in a way that doesn’t instil fear. Instead of saying, we can’t afford that, try that’s not a priority right now, but let’s plan for it. Language matters when shaping a mindset of financial empowerment.
Moving from Financial Stress to Financial Freedom
If you’ve ever avoided looking at your bank account or felt guilt around money, this conversation will help you reframe your relationship with finances. By shifting the way you think about money, you can move from avoidance and anxiety to a place of confidence, clarity, and control.
Listen to the full episode
Resources & Next Steps:
Download Shirley’s ebook, Mind Your Money (link)
Start a simple financial tracking system today
Set up an emergency fund, even if it’s small
Learn how to communicate more effectively with your accountant
Get 10% off any of Shirley’s mentorship services with code: Podcast10
Shirley’s journey proves that financial empowerment isn’t about how much money you have—it’s about how well you understand and manage it.
