Contents
Praise for Wild Money
What a blast of wily wild refreshing amazement this book is! I will admit, I dreaded cracking the cover. Moneyyuck. But all you have to do is read one pageI kid you not, one page!and you will be hooked. This is your ticket to shame free money freedom while having a beautiful blast.
Jennifer Louden, author of The Womans Comfort Book and The Life Organizer
Wild Money is recommended reading for all of my creative friends and clients. Why? It acknowledges that many of us havent a clue how to balance, invest, save, or even receive money in a way that nourishes us. And it frames and explains money matters in ways that get us creativeswith wit, wisdom, wonder, and confidence-boosting savvy.
Jeffrey Davis, author, founder of Tracking Wonder Consulting & Programs
Wild Money is truly catalyzing and Luna is a wise, calming guide into the universe of money and our relationship to it. This book is going to help women immenselythe drawings awaken the right brain and open new channels of deep considerations as the left brain is guided to consider the specifics of money management. Together, it creates an alchemical joy.
Maura Conlon-McIvor, Ph.D., author, psychologist, founder: Legacy Beyond Borders
A book about money with pictures? Count me in. Wild Money offers such a kind, non-intimidating exploration of money. With Luna at the helm, finances can be intuitive and (gasp!) fun.
Laura Simms, coach, writer, and speaker crafting purpose-driven careers
No book better helps creatives understand that their money woes and wins have more to do with their relationship with money than what they know or have been taught about moneyif theyve been taught at all. Luna doesnt just talk about this relationship, though; she gives tools for action that help people improve it. This is required reading for creatives who are ready to leave behind the starving artist myth and not be ashamed of the money they have.
Charlie Gilkey, author of The Small Business Life Cycle
I LOVE Wild Moneyit feels so resonant...so perfect a blend of artistic, intuitive, emotional plus the practical, do-able, must-do steps to make the dream real.
This is true: I didnt even finish chapter one and I got out a new journal and my colored pencils to get to work on my own Wild Money journal. The colors, writing and prompts just drew me right in.
Lisa Sonora Beam, author T he Creative Entrepreneur
A Creative Journey to Financial Wisdom
Luna Jaffe
Foreword by Pamela Slim
Fortunity Press
7837 SW Capitol Highway, Suite C
Portland, Oregon 97219
503-452-7000
Copyright 2014 by Luna Jaffe
All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, or otherwithout written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in review.
The material in this book is intended for educational purposes only. No expressed or implied guarantee as to the effects of the use of the recommendations can be given nor liability taken. This book does not guarantee any financial results, please consult legal and financial experts.
The examples of artwork in this book are all copyright the artist and are used with permission. Due to limitations of space, additional text and art credits appear at the end of the book.
Book Design by Deandra Ellerbe, DeMicaro Designs, Portland, OR
Cover Design by Rachel Dominguez-Benner, Rebecca Owens, Deandra Ellerbe and Luna Jaffe
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Jaffe, Luna, date.
Wild Money: A Creative Journey to Financial Wisdom/ Luna Jaffe; foreword by Pamela Slim.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Creativity 2. Personal Finance 3. Self-Help
I.Title
First Printing, May 2013
ISBN 978-1-62407-437-0 (print)
ISBN 978-1-63068-265-0 (ebook)
Foreword
I remember seeing the pained expression on my mothers face as she looked at the pile of bills on the table. A newly single mom with three kids, the prospect of caring for us all terrified her.
Not having money made me feel anxious. I grew up in the wealthy area of Marin County, California, where I saw many friends and neighbors with nice homes, cars and designer jeans. Their life seemed so secure (little did I know then, many of them struggled, even with money). I longed to fit in, to feel the same sense of ease and comfort that comes with enough money in the bank at all times. Despite lots of friends, I often felt like an imposter, and an outsider.
I would climb up on the roof of our old, rickety house, built in 1906, and look at the stars.
I dont care how hard I have to work, I never want to feel left out because of money.
And so began my own money story, tying the emotion of belonging to financial success. It involved working from the age of twelve to keep myself in the latest fashions, and a pattern of making a lot of money, and then spending it immediately, much of it in gifts to other people. I experienced quite a bit of heartbreak and unnecessary drama before I committed to heal and rewrite my money narrative.
We all have money stories. In my sixteen years of work as a consultant and coach, I have run across thousands of people in many industries and professions, at every income level.
I have met exceptionally wealthy people who had absolutely miserable personal lives, and those who were happy and generous. I have met impoverished people with exceptional gratitude and generosity, and those stuck in generations-deep self-sabotage.
Could it be that the reason people get into financial messes is simply due to lack of knowledge?
That is the prevailing wisdom from most of the personal finance industry.
And then I met Luna. The first time I saw her in person was in a caf in Portland, Oregon. She was excited to tell me about her project. I am writing a book called Wild Money.
Great title, I thought to myself.
It is a book about healing your relationship with money, based on my experience as a financial planner, a therapist and an artist, she said.
Thats IT! I exclaimed, perhaps a bit too loudly for the patrons enjoying a quiet lunch at the other tables.
What I need, and what every creative person I know who struggles with money needs, is a warm, vibrant, knowledgeable, compassionate and fun guide. Someone who will embrace the emotions and messiness of your journey without inflicting shame or judgment. Someone who has pragmatic, valuable advice to help you build a solid financial foundation today, and plan for ease and growth tomorrow.
Wild Money is the tool, and Luna is your guide.
You dont have to be scared. You dont have to hide in denial. You dont have to worry that no matter how much you have, that somehow it will never be enough. You dont have to be a numbers person or understand every nuance of accounting.
You simply need to be ready to heal and stop feeling anxious about money in your life.
It can get better. And not only can it get better, but the process Luna uses to heal your relationship with money is exhilarating and empowering. It will help you be a better professional, businessperson, artist, friend, spouse, parent and steward of this planet.
I am so thrilled that you picked up this book. You will laugh. You will cry. You will learn. You will be moved by the images and stories. And you will know that you are part of a movement that views a healthy, loving relationship with money as a key part of the highest and best expression of your creative gifts.