How to pronounce "binge"

- [Robert] Our relationship with money

represents our relationship with life.

That's why, I've dedicated my career

to figuring out

how my work as an accountant

can tell stories about people

that will ultimately help them

improve their lives.

(upbeat music)

It all started,

when someone told me,

"you're obsessed with chocolate".

And I was like, "what? No, I'm not".

But then I wondered,

could I be in denial about my own obsession?

Off I went, tracking my spending on chocolate

and there it was.

I was spending about $50 a month on chocolate.

Analyzing my expenses

helped me to understand

that I had an emotional pattern.

When I'm struggling or celebrating,

I binge on chocolate.

I had struggled with my weight

for a very long time,

and I was convinced

that my diet was not the problem.

It was my lack of effort in exercise.

And certainly not chocolate.

So, I continued to exercise,

but devoted less time to it.

And instead, shifted my focus

and energy towards developing a more healthful diet.

I lost 50 pounds.

I believe we can all do this type of audit

of our own financial behavior

and that we can learn surprising

things about ourselves

through tracking and charting our expenses.

When an expensive pattern emerges,

see what that pattern says about yourself.

Do you buy pizza every Wednesday night

because that's when you're too tired to cook,

after a stressful weekly meeting?

Did you buy that new smartphone

just before a major function,

so that your friends would notice?

Though, it can be difficult

to take a good hard look at our financial behavior,

it can reveal some deep emotional truths

that can help us reevaluate our careers,

our relationships,

and our priorities.

So, give it a try.

The pay off could be huge.

(bell clinks)

(playful music)