- [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)