This week's Money Buddy
Scott Yamamura is an expert in communication and design, with over 25 years of experience, numerous industry awards, and a Fortune 15 background. As a certified financial coach, he uses his expertise in forming creative, effective messaging to cut through the noise of the financial world to deliver a practical understanding of money to individuals through a “Financial Epiphany.”
What Do You See Everyone Else Doing That You Want to Stop?
One of the biggest money traps I see is the constant upgrade cycle—new phones, new cars, new streaming services. For years, I felt the pressure to get the latest iPhone every time a new one dropped. But when my wife convinced me to hold onto my current phone a little longer, I realized just how unnecessary those yearly upgrades were. Now, I’m still rocking an iPhone 11 Pro, and when I think about the thousands of dollars I’ve saved—not to mention how that money could multiply over time in investments—I know I made the right choice.
So, what’s something you see everyone doing that you can step away from? Maybe it’s the pressure to buy a home when renting is the smarter financial move for you. Maybe it’s the endless streaming subscriptions that add up to more than you realize. Or maybe it’s the brand-new car with a hefty payment when a used one (or even public transit) could work just fine. The truth is, just because “everyone” is doing something doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for you. Take a step back and ask: is this spending actually improving my life, or just keeping me in the cycle?
What Crisis Are You Trying to Avoid?
For me, it’s the housing market panic. Every day, I hear people stressing about high home prices, rising interest rates, and feeling like they have to buy now or be left behind. But my wife and I don’t need a house right now, so we’re choosing not to stress about it. Instead of forcing ourselves into a financial situation that isn’t right for us, we’re focusing on what we can control—saving, investing, and preparing for the future without unnecessary pressure.
The same goes for car ownership. I see so many people stretching their budgets for car payments, insurance, gas, and repairs when in reality, alternative transportation could be a more cost-effective solution. For some, avoiding a financial crisis could mean staying out of debt, ensuring they have enough for retirement, or preparing for unexpected life changes. Whatever it is for you, take a proactive approach—don’t wait until you’re already in crisis mode to start making changes.
What Can You Start Visualizing to Help Your Finances?
Visualization is a powerful tool in managing your money. Two of the best things to start tracking today are your expenses and your net worth. When you start keeping an eye on your expenses, you’ll quickly see patterns—maybe eating out takes up way more of your budget than you realized (it usually does for most people!) Tracking your net worth, on the other hand, gives you a long-term view of your financial progress, making it easier to stay motivated and make smarter money decisions.
I recently had someone tell me that seeing their spending in a budgeting app completely changed their mindset. They started making different choices simply because they saw how much they were spending in real time. The same thing happens with net worth—once you start tracking it, you naturally begin looking for ways to grow it. Small, intentional changes add up fast, and before you know it, your finances are moving in a direction you’re actually excited about.
So, what can you start visualizing today? Is it cutting back on impulse purchases? Seeing your investment account grow? Watching your debt shrink? Whatever it is, get clear on the numbers, track your progress, and let that visualization keep you moving forward.
Enjoy your week and get out there and have a money talk!
