Lynda Moore is a Money Mentalist coach and New Zealand’s only certified New Money Story mentor. Lynda spends her time working with individuals and couples, helping them understand their relationship with money, how to communicate about money to each other and how to make better financial choices. Lynda talks to NZ Booklovers.
Tell us a little about Conversations with Money: A Love Story.
We all have a relationship with money. It’s the longest relationship we will ever have, so why not make it the best relationship possible? For many of us, when it comes to money, it can be our worst. We need to learn to relate to money in a more positive way and have it part of our self-care regime. The Love Story is how we build our own relationship with money and also follows my own journey of love and loss, both financially and my marriage which fell apart primarily because of money, even though we were still very much in love.
What research was involved?
Over 10 years of working with clients, hearing their stories, and my own as well. Working with my mentor David Krueger, I read so many books about money, and I applied different aspects until I found what was working for my clients. I’m a member of the Financial Therapy Association, so I continue to learn through their courses as well.
What was your routine or process when writing this book?
I started with a wall of Post-it Notes. I compiled all of my ideas, jotted a few notes down for each idea and then started to formulate how they could fit together. I’d move them around into logical sections, then chapters. Once I felt I had a flow, I then started writing every day for at least an hour. I had a huge amount of blog content, so I could use some of that as a basis for a topic, and then I had to link it together. I had an accountability buddy as well. My PA, Penny, really kept me on track and helped bounce ideas around, and held me to my word to consistently write even if I didn’t feel like it. My personal story was added last. I had help with that from my amazing editor.
What did you enjoy the most about writing Conversations with Money: A Love Story? Once I got into the writing and had a really clear idea of what I wanted to say, it became easier, and I really enjoyed the process. Getting the first edit back from Marcy was a real highlight as well. I never considered myself an author, I’m an accountant, and a money mentor, so when I got her feedback, it started to become very real that I could really do this.
What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?
It was quite low-key, I did a dance around my lounge and Penny and I went out for lunch together to celebrate with a glass of bubbles.
What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?
I love to read to relax, and I got totally engrossed in the Seven sisters series. I couldn’t put them down. I felt part of the story and the emotions that they were feeling too. A non-fiction book I have read several times and keep going back to is Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely. I have learned so much about how we behave about money from this book.
What’s next on the agenda for you?
I am going to do more speaking engagements to spread my message about money, and there might even be another book in the pipeline as well…