I grew up hearing a lot of confusing stories about money. My parents were never blessed with financial literacy, so neither was I.

The limiting beliefs and misconceptions I held regarding money were probably similar to what many of you have experienced! I thought I had to work HARD for money, that money doesn’t grow on trees, and that I was lucky if I had a good job and enough money to get by. I kept telling myself maybe one day my money ship would come in.

These stories shaped my beliefs around money, leading to some pretty terrible financial decisions in my 20s and 30s. If you can relate, you might be feeling overwhelmed with student loan and credit card debt, living paycheck to paycheck without any short-term savings to fall back on, or feeling stressed about money all the time with no one to turn to for guidance. You might even find yourself ashamed of your financial situation and lacking a clear vision for your life and financial future.

I knew that I didn’t have to settle for just getting by, which sparked a life-changing goal within me. Their lack of basic money knowledge opened my eyes and my heart. It brought me to a role I never anticipated—being a Financial Coach for people whose paths mirrored my own.

Despite climbing the corporate ladder and witnessing my income rise year after year, I still felt like I had little to show for it. I was tired of working hard yet feeling like I was merely surviving. I realized there had to be another way to live. Deep down, I understood that if I genuinely wanted things to change, it wouldn’t only be about making more money; it had to start with changing my relationship with money itself.

I immersed myself in personal finance books and blogs, trying to apply everything I learned, yet it still felt disjointed, leaving me unsure if true wealth was meant for me. But through this journey, I discovered that it wasn't just about the money; it was about understanding, mindset, and being willing to break free from the chains of limiting beliefs. If I can do it, so can you. Wealth truly begins within. Let's take this journey together and create a future that’s not just about surviving, but thriving.

• Sharise Taylor