iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Income does not guarantee that you will feel financially secure. Having a steady paycheck can't erase the baggage from your financial past. Old fears tend to resurface and block progress. What's a barrier that keeps showing up for you?

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Facing financial trauma is not fun. It’s uncomfortable and sometimes terrifying, but it’s the only way to grow. What’s one thing you’re scared to address but know you need to?

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

This all day! Money trauma isn't really about money. Trauma makes financial planning and resources effectively inaccessible -- until you resolve those barriers. Great post, @carlosmcwhortercpa.bsky.social !

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Your financial situation didn't vanish on January 1st. But, each new year -- heck, each new day -- offers the change to begin to rewrite your story. This year, I’m choosing gentle, consistent exploration over shame.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

I have a long flight coming up. I need to load up my Kindle. Please send your best book recommendations STAT. #help #tia

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Feel like resisting the #AI domination with a pencil-to-paper original? I can vouch for @elofalltrades.bsky.social being a real person, an awesome human, and a truly talented artist.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Have you ever had to apply for SNAP ("food stamps")? I have. It was an absolute last resort to feed my family -- one wrapped immense shame. Tools, assistance, and advice are empowering only when you have control over them. Let's unpack this a bit.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Hard Fact: People without debilitating money trauma will never get it. They don't understand the struggle. Just stick to a budget. Just save money. Just watch the market. Just buy low and sell high.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Consumerism + Money Trauma = FOMO on Steroids Financial trauma involves chaos. When you can't rely on having what you need, unpredictability becomes the norm. We become hyper-focused on immediate situations, risks, threats, and opportunities.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Well, we made it through Thanksgiving. How's everyone feeling? a. still in a food coma b. unpacking emotional baggage c. waiting for someone to post bail d. all of the above

Facebook style blue flag icon on white background. Text: Marked Safe From Thanksgiving Dinner Today.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Buy N-O-T-H-I-N-G this week! This message is for my fellow traumonies (my term for people with money trauma). You don't need it. You will overspend. You cannot buy love from people with holiday gifts. The sales aren't worth it. Go enjoy your day. 🌞

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Consumerism + Money Trauma = False Sense of Control Money trauma usually involves financial hardship, so buying things can feel like reclaiming your power or worth. While it is empowering to be able to pay for what we need, finding a balanced perspective can be difficult.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Money trauma cuts us off after Step 1. When your brain gets triggered by the topic on money, it becomes nearly impossible to process financial information. Thanks for the outline, Chris!

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Consumerism + Money Trauma = Quick Fix Money trauma causes chaos and avoidance, so most of our energy and resources go towards putting out constant fires, instead of building stability. We are most familiar with solving crises, and we operate in panic mode.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Yesterday, I brought up how having financial trauma makes us more susceptible to consumerism. I know, I know. I talk about all the fun topics, don't I? Today, I will dive into this notion a bit deeper, but they will be separate posts.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Cost-Saving Tip: Bring up politics at Thanksgiving dinner. 🍗It's sure to reduce your holiday gift spending.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Betcha you don't ride a bicycle blindfolded. Yet, trying to deal with money when you have massive trauma filters is basically the same thing. Stop trying to do the impossible and wondering why it doesn't work out so well. Start to heal instead.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Drunk with glee that my library adoration is a genuine flex here.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

My name is Tiffany. I am a Starter Pack addict.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Friends, this is what I am talking about. Financial trauma puts filters, barriers, and complications between us and money. It doesn't have to be this way. Having a healthy, functional relationship with money is what Michael describes: Money is "useful."

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Hard Truth: We are easy targets. Money trauma is all about rogue emotions associated with surviving something we could not control. Making decisions based on fear shapes how we approach spending and saving.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

So, I have heard there is such a thing as a financial therapist -- someone who is both qualified to provide mental health care and financial advice. But, I've never actually found a professional who meets this criteria. I think I just discovered why on Reddit.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Part 2: Financial Trauma Types Which one(s) resonate with you?

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Did you know that there are different types of financial trauma? As if it wasn't complicated enough already! Which one(s) resonate with you?

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Why am I posting about money trauma now?

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

No lie: The emergence of Bluesky as a safer place to take such a plunge is a major factor for me personally. This is all way outside of my comfort zone.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

What no one talks about: Money doesn't fix money trauma.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

When "a penny saved is a penny earned" collides with "you can't take it with you when you die" #meme #financialtrauma #moneyissues

meme with image of Kermit the frog facing another Kermit in a dark cloak. Me: I'm so happy I'm saving money. Me to Me: Death is inevitable, spend all of it.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Weird sign of money trauma: unopened mail. Why so? Bills, statements, and other things related to finances arrive in the mail. Your brain sets up micro-procrastinations to avoid dealing with the topic.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Ever think that you're just "bad" with money? Ask yourself: Do I avoid or obsess over anything related to money? Do financial decisions leave me frozen with fear? Does money feel unsafe, shameful, or guilty? Look into financial trauma. Acknowledging the impact is step one. You’re not alone in this.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Childhood trauma got me deliberating which is the lesser of two evils: not adding water yet again to the aging tube of mascara to ensure that I have used it A-L-L the way up or risking an eye infection that could result in costly medical expenses.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

The first time I encountered the term "financial trauma" the concept took my breath away. Finally, there was a name for this beast. This dark, elusive shame that had been with me for a lifetime. Naming it was the start of gaining power over it.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

I hope I don't annoy you on my first day with too many posts. But, there's so, so very much to say. Sigh.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

1 in 4 Americans experiences financial trauma. If this is you, you’re not alone. Your struggle is valid.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

I’ve made tremendous progress, but I still feel overwhelmed at times. But now, I have tools to ground myself. Healing doesn’t mean the fear magically disappears — it means it stops controlling you. You learn to be in control of the fear.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

My divorce brought me face-to-face with decades of unresolved money trauma. I discovered that it wasn’t just about managing my finances. It is about overcoming generational patterns, recognizing how trauma impacted me, and rewriting my identity. Healing is a journey of becoming whole.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Money trauma can show up as: * Avoiding bank accounts or bills * Feeling panic over small purchases * Overworking to avoid financial insecurity * Struggling to trust financial advice * Forgetting to return unwanted purchases * Avoiding financial conversations

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Your brain connects intense financial stress to survival. Over time, those stress responses stick, even when the danger is gone. You’re not “broken” — your nervous system is trying to protect you.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Financial trauma is a real thing. It's when trauma shapes how we think, feel, and act in relationship to money. It's not a lack of willpower. Tt's your brain responding to past pain -- often rooted in childhood experiences that started before you even understood or had control over money.

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Tiffany Tregoning Redden @mad-money.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Writing about my financial trauma is utterly terrifying, but here I go. Every word feels raw and vulnerable. But if sharing my story helps even one person feel less alone, it’s worth it. Keep it kind, fellow Blueskys.

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