In this episode of Tea Time with Erin, Erin explores one of the most powerful — and often invisible — forces shaping the financial decisions entrepreneurs make: money scripts.

Money scripts are unconscious beliefs about money formed in childhood that we carry into adulthood. These beliefs influence how we earn, spend, save, and think about money — often without realizing it. For entrepreneurs, these hidden beliefs can quietly drive business decisions, affect pricing, influence spending habits, and even sabotage financial success.

Erin explains how these beliefs develop early in life, often before age ten, and are commonly passed down through families and culture. She walks through the four core money scripts identified by financial psychologist Dr. Brad Klontz, explaining how each shapes financial behavior and shows up in entrepreneurship.

If you’ve ever wondered why you avoid your finances, undercharge for services, overspend on business investments, or feel anxious about money even when your business is doing well, the answer may lie in the money scripts running beneath the surface.

This episode introduces a framework for understanding your financial behaviors and offers practical steps for identifying and rewriting beliefs that may be holding your business back.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• What money scripts are and how they influence financial decisions
• How childhood experiences shape our beliefs about money
• The four primary money scripts identified by financial psychologist Dr. Brad Klontz
• How money avoidance can cause entrepreneurs to undercharge or avoid their financial numbers
• Why money worship can lead to burnout and chasing revenue instead of profit
• How money status ties self-worth to financial success
• The impact of money vigilance and the anxiety it can create around spending and saving
• Why awareness of your money beliefs is the first step to changing them
• How entrepreneurs can begin rewriting unhealthy financial patterns

Key Takeaways

• Many financial behaviors are driven by unconscious beliefs formed in childhood.
• Money scripts often operate beneath the surface, influencing decisions without our awareness.
• Entrepreneurs are especially impacted because they constantly make financial decisions in business.
• Understanding your money beliefs can reveal patterns like undercharging, overspending, or avoiding finances.
• Awareness and intentional practice can help rewrite unhealthy beliefs and create a healthier relationship with money.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Dr. Brad Klontz – Financial Psychologist
• Money Scripts Test

Connect with Erin

Learn more about Erin’s work around money mindset, financial therapy, and building businesses that support your life.

• Erin’s Website
• IG: @‌erinthemoneytherapist
• Book a free financial clarity call with Erin

Erin’s Tea for This Episode

Erin is sipping Soothsayer Tea House – Masala Chai during this episode.

Keep the Conversation Going

If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe and share it with another entrepreneur who might need to hear it.

New episodes of Tea Time with Erin drop every other Tuesday, where we share honest conversations about money, mental health, and entrepreneurship.

Grab your drink of choice, take a deep breath, and join us for the next Tea Time.