Episode 39: The Hidden Cost of Financial Avoidance
Feb 17, 2026Episode Title: Clearing the Financial Fog
Summary:
In this episode, I'm talking about the financial fog—the money tasks that quietly sit on the "someday" list and drain your energy in the background. The unsigned will. The mystery subscriptions. The unclear spending. The conversations you keep avoiding.
I share why I chose to hire a financial coach (even though my husband is a financial advisor) to work through my own money emotions, self-worth, pricing, and generosity boundaries. I open up about being a single mom at 39, trusting my intuition to get more life insurance, and how that decision not only brought peace—but unexpectedly led me to meeting Michael. I also contrast that with a heartbreaking story of a family devastated overnight because life insurance wasn't in place.
Then I walk you through exactly what I tackled in January 2026—signing a will that had been sitting for two years, tracking every dollar of 2025 spending (hello, $1,700/month on Amazon 😳), auditing subscriptions across PayPal and Apple, securing $785 in refunds, and clearing out physical clutter in my closet.
This episode is about stewardship, courage, and doing the one hard thing that clears the fog so you can finally feel present, peaceful, and powerful.
If money feels heavy, avoided, or emotionally charged—this conversation is for you.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Financial Clutter Is Emotional Clutter
When I avoid financial decisions, they don't disappear—they create a low-grade anxiety loop in the background. That fog affects my focus, creativity, and peace.
Audience follow-up → What money task have you been postponing that's quietly draining your energy?
Avoidance Is Usually About Emotion, Not Skill
I didn't hire a financial coach because I didn't understand money. I hired her because I needed support with my emotions around worth, pricing, generosity, and boundaries.
Audience follow-up → Where might you need emotional support—not just tactical advice?
Intuition + Preparation = Peace
As a single mom, I felt prompted to increase my life insurance. That decision gave me deep peace—and ultimately introduced me to Michael. On the flip side, I've seen firsthand what happens when protection isn't in place.
Audience follow-up → If something happened tomorrow, would your family be financially protected?
The Numbers Don't Lie (But They Do Reveal)
When I categorized every 2025 bank transaction, I discovered about $1,700 per month going to Amazon. Awareness wasn't shame—it was clarity.
Audience follow-up → What might you learn if you tracked every dollar for 30 days?
Quick Wins Build Momentum
I hunted down hidden subscriptions across PayPal, Apple, and old emails—and recovered $785 in refunds. Small actions create powerful forward motion.
Audience follow-up → Where could you look for "hidden leaks" this week?
Stewardship Is a Spiritual Practice
I had to ask myself: Would God give me more if I'm not managing what I already have well? That mindset shift changed everything.
Audience follow-up → Are you treating your money as something you manage—or something that manages you?
The 4-Step Plan to Clear the Fog
- Choose one hard thing.
- Get accountability.
- Stay when it feels uncomfortable.
- Finish it.
One completed task builds trust with yourself.
Audience follow-up → What is your "one hard thing" this month?
🔎 Mentioned in This Episode:
- Hiring a financial coach to work through money mindset, worth, and pricing
- Finalizing and signing a will after two years of delay
- Full 2025 expense categorization and Amazon spending wake-up call
- Subscription audit across PayPal and Apple
- $785 in recovered refunds
- Closet decluttering + donation as part of energetic clearing
- The Foggy Lake metaphor—how clarity appears when you move forward instead of waiting for perfect visibility
✨ Reflection Prompts:
- What financial decision have you been postponing because it feels uncomfortable?
- If your money was fully organized and clear, how would your body feel differently?
- Where are you waiting for the fog to lift instead of taking one step forward?
🧠 Who This Episode Is For:
- Entrepreneurs avoiding pricing or profit conversations
- Women navigating money after divorce or single parenthood
- Leaders who want peace—not pressure—around finances
- Anyone ready to clear avoidance and step into clarity
This is your invitation to stop circling the foggy lake… and start walking across it—one intentional step at a time.
📩 Want to Go Deeper?
Follow Lori on LinkedIn to continue the conversation
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Transcript
[Full transcript follows here...]