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138. Want what you already have – Tactics to rewire your brain to want less
Nov 23, 2025

Stop scrolling and start appreciating. This episode is a powerful flip-the-script moment on consumer culture, exploring how a mindset of wanting what you already have is one of the most transformative financial tools you might be overlooking. It’s not about giving up everything; it’s about gaining perspective on the abundance already in your life—from a secure home to a full pantry. Discover how shifting your focus to gratitude can quiet the cycle of wanting more, reduce financial anxiety and debt, and even rewire your brain for greater happiness and contentment. You’ll get actionable steps to embrace this mindset and free yourself from the never-ending treadmill of buying the next “thing”.

Erica joins this week’s podcast as we talk about:

– The Power of Contentment as a tool to improve financial well-being and reduce stress

– The psychological cost of the “constant cycle of wanting” 

– The scientific link between regular gratitude practices and improved happiness/mental health

– How gratitude can change the neuroplasticity in your brain to make positive emotions more accessible

– The connection between financial fear/anxiety and a lack of gratitude

– Actionable steps to create a personal financial gratitude list

– The importance of reconnecting with your “Why” to resist unnecessary spending.

– Practicing the “Five Whys” to check in on non-essential purchases

– The financial benefits of wanting less, including boosting savings and accelerating debt payoff

– The concept of maintenance and upkeep (e.g., fixing and organizing) as an antidote to buying new items

– The concept of creating a home inventory 

 

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