Yesterday, I shared an epiphany I had over the weekend after attending a gathering for with other special needs families.  

While connecting with other parents at this gathering… I realize how much my money mindset has shifted.

Former me: withdraws from the conversations with thoughts of “I can’t afford that.” “Must be nice.” 

Current me: “I can’t wait to try that! Wow.” Takes business cards, exchanges contact information, and I’m EXCITED to exchange money for services and providers who could help our son.

Here’s the thing that no one really talks about: MONEY gives you access.

When we were starting our Autism journey. We were broke. Like scrambling at the end of a shopping trip at Winco, putting things back because my card won’t go through broke. 

I was cleaning college dorms at night so I can be with our son during the day. 

And my husband was making around $14/hr…. tack on therapy costs for our son and there was no wiggle room in our budget.

And being around families like ours was painful. There was so much guilt and shame. They had options that we didn’t have due to our finances.

And there’s no other way to put it: not having money sucks. Just barely making ends meet sucks. It affects your quality of life. Your stress level. Your marriage. Your ability to GET services for your child. 

To not be able to get services that could potentially help your child because you didn’t have the money…. Sucks.

So, I withdrew from conversations. Made excuses for not attending events.

But what no one talked about in my community is this: to get the best care with the best options you gotta have money.

Hyperbaric therapy cost money.

Dietary supplements cost money.

Speech therapy cost money.

Occupational therapy cost money.

Relationship-based programs (Sonrise, RDI, etc).

Spelling To Communicate (the program we’re currently doing with our son) cost money. 

Don’t have a special needs child?

Activities for your children cost money.

College cost money. 

Clothes, food, shelter… just simply being alive cost money. 

And, Michelle?

I want you to make a whole lot of money, because it IS life changing.

No matter what anyone says or has led you to believe about money.

You were meant for an abundant life that provides you FREEDOM and the option to CHOOSE. That gives you ACCESS. Money gives you that.

I’m so grateful for the life that we lead now. For the abundance God has provided for us in this season.

Because it’s lit a fire in me to help you do the same. 

Abundance is available to you.

Remember my last email about shifting internally? Begin clearing your money mindset blocks and you’ll begin to see shifts in your financial situation.

Not sure where to begin?

Try this exercise:

1. Grab a notebook and work through these prompts: what are some of your beliefs around money? (Exp. money is the root of all evil, desiring more money is selfish, I never have enough money in my bank account, I can’t make more money than I’m currently making).
2. Take each belief and get to the root of it. Where did this belief stem from? Who (if anyone) shared a similar belief (exp. my parents would always say things like there’s never enough money).
3. How has this money belief played out in your life? How is it CURRENTLY playing out in your life?
4. Identify where you’d like to be instead.
5. What money beliefs would you like to shift you? What beliefs can you get behind to help support #4? What do you think has to happen in order for you to have #4?

I’d love to hear what’s showing up for you. 

Hit reply and let me know what downloads came through after this exercise or take a picture of what you journaled & DM it to me  @michelleslach

Always rootin for you,

Michelle