Community Highlights: Meet Tammy Shweiger of Mindful Money Coaching

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tammy Shweiger.

Hi Tammy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My parents were both immigrants. Their childhoods were marked by war and economic instability. By the time I was born, my parents had achieved financial security in the United States. However, I grew up with some of the fear, scarcity and stress that came with their past. It is common, as I see in my work every day, for us to carry some of our financial habits into stages of our lives where they are no longer useful. In some ways we can, as my parents did, get stuck.

One of the ways this presented itself in my household was that my parents had a really hard time enjoying the act of spending money, even on small things. Money was about security and safety. I wasn’t raised to connect money to joy. I became an accountant even though it wasn’t my passion because I put security on a pedestal.

It took me until my thirties to morph like a butterfly, changing and growing into a new relationship with money. As I began to understand my money past, I started to heal. It was scary when I decided to go into business for myself, give up reliable income, and take chances. At the beginning, I spent money like I was still earning my old salary. It took a few years of inner work and going through the money coaching process myself for me to adapt.

One positive part of my early money story was the consistent presence of financial education. I was educated around money from a very young age, and my Dad empowered me to feel I could accomplish anything I wanted to, including being a successful entrepreneur.

This is part of the journey I take my clients through— looking at their past and the habits they inherited from their caretakers. For certain habits we picked up from our parents, we may say, “I see how and why you developed them and passed them to me, but I am ready to let them go.” For other things, it may be really nice to pause and honor them.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest struggles I had was accepting a major shift in my identity. In Money Coaching, I teach clients about the eight money archetypes (developed by Deborah Price) to help them better understand their unique money personality. One of my primary archetypes is the Warrior. The Warrior is financially independent and disciplined but can have a hard time asking for help or being dependent on others. I had to learn to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. I had to shift my identity from corporate professional to change maker. What drives me to keep going even when it’s difficult is my mission to break the money taboo and facilitate financial healing.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Mindful Money Coaching?
Mindful Money Coaching is holistic personal finance coaching without judgment. The client is in charge—my role is to help them connect to their true self and determine what provides them with fulfillment. Together we take the steps to bring their goals to reality. Clients have said, “I was afraid if I hired you, you would tell me I can’t do things because of how much they cost.” But that’s not what Mindful Money Coaching is about. Mindful Money Coaching will give you clarity about what matters most, so you can send your dollars there. None of us are born with financial literacy. We struggle with money because we are human. I see a piece myself in each of my clients and I learn as much from them as they learn from me. I am also a yoga teacher and I weave yogic philosophy into my approach to personal finance. Yoga is not a workout, it is a way of life and has so many wise lessons on self-awareness, the struggle with ego, kindness and non-judgment.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
To be able to financially heal others is the greatest privilege of my professional life. When we are lucky enough to use our innate gifts in our work, magic happens. I also really want the past generations that sacrificed so I could have choices, to be proud of me. One of the most important parts of being an entrepreneur is that I get to make decisions in line with my personal sense of integrity and pursuit of the truth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tammyshweiger.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneycoachtammy/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-shweiger-cpa-ryt-certified-money-coach-cmc-%C2%AE-b4998727/

Image Credits
Michael Simonetti