Denise Duffield-Thomas's Blog, page 5
May 11, 2025
Denise on the Doubt-Less, Do More Podcast
I was recently on the Doubt~less Do More Podcast, chatting with host Trudy Simmons about our experiences with self-doubt, overcoming challenges, and building confidence in business.
We explored various strategies for personal growth and success, including self-compassion, goal setting, and creating a positive mindset. The conversation concluded with encouragement to embrace one's potential and pursue goals with confidence, regardless of external circumstances.
May 7, 2025
Win or bust? How to celebrate or change your money goals
Win or bust? How to celebrate or change your money goals
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I hope that you get to experience the boss feeling of achieving a long-held goal.
Hitting a big money goal, buying the dream house, taking the holiday… you deserve to make your dreams happen and then celebrate wildly.
But what if you work super hard, achieve a dream, then change your mind?
Is that something we’re even allowed to do? I made my bed, now I have to lie in it…
On today’s podcast I talk about achieving then releasing big goals as well as how I celebrate big wins in my business.
You'll learn how goals can evolve and why it's okay to change your mind about what you want.
I also answer questions on pricing, gratitude and jealousy. Juicy.
This episode is packed with practical advice and mindset shifts that will transform how you approach your business.
Honestly, there are no rules. Give yourself permission to dream big, or permission to simply let go of a dream and choose again.
xx Denise
P.S. My annual business coaching program will be opening soon.
This is your opportunity to work with me and your team ON transforming your business.
… Business strategy, marketing and passive income; I’m going to help you maximize simplicity and profit.
Click here to let me know where you most need help right now and be amongst the first to hear about how to work with me.
May 1, 2025
Avoiding the Family Money Trap: How to Maintain Healthy Financial Boundaries
Money can be a touchy subject, especially when it comes to family. Whether it's dealing with financially irresponsible parents or navigating money conversations with your partner, setting healthy boundaries is crucial for maintaining positive relationships and your own financial well-being.
The Weight of Financial Responsibility
Many of us have found ourselves in situations where we feel responsible for our family members' financial situations. It's a common struggle, particularly for those who've achieved financial success or stability. We may feel guilty about our own prosperity or feel obligated to "fix" our loved ones' money problems, I know I have.
But here's the truth: you're not responsible for anyone else's financial choices or circumstances.
Recognizing Unhealthy Patterns
Often, our desire to help comes from a good place. We want to see our loved ones thrive and be free from financial stress. However, constantly bailing out family members or taking on their financial burdens can create unhealthy dynamics:
It can enable irresponsible behavior
It may strain your own financial health
It can lead to resentment and damage relationships
It prevents others from learning valuable financial lessons
Setting Healthy Financial Boundaries
Establishing clear boundaries around money with family members is essential for maintaining healthy relationships and your own financial well-being. Here are some strategies to help you set and maintain these boundaries:
1. Communicate Clearly and Compassionately
When discussing financial boundaries with family, approach the conversation with empathy and clarity. Express your concerns and limitations without judgment. For example, you might say, "I care about you and want to support you, but I'm not able to provide financial assistance right now."
2. Offer Alternative Support
Instead of providing direct financial assistance, consider other ways you can support your family members:
Help them create a budget
Share resources for financial education
Offer emotional support during tough times
3. Learn to Say No
It's okay to say no to financial requests. Practice phrases like, "I'm not comfortable with that" or "That doesn't work for me." Remember, saying no to financial requests doesn't mean you don't care about your family.
4. Establish Clear Expectations
If you do decide to provide financial assistance, set clear terms and expectations. Treat it like a business transaction with agreed-upon repayment terms or conditions.
Dealing with Guilt and Emotional Manipulation
Setting financial boundaries can bring up feelings of guilt, especially if family members react negatively. Remember that it's not selfish to prioritize your own financial health and well-being.
Be aware of emotional manipulation tactics, such as guilt-tripping or playing the victim. Stand firm in your boundaries, even when it's uncomfortable.
Aligning Money Mindsets with Your Partner
When it comes to romantic partnerships, aligning your money mindsets is crucial for a harmonious relationship. Here are some tips:
1. Have Open Conversations
Regularly discuss your financial goals, fears, and experiences with your partner. Be curious about their money background and perspective.
2. Create Shared Financial Goals
Work together to establish common financial objectives. This can help you both feel invested in your shared financial future.
3. Respect Individual Differences
Recognize that you and your partner may have different money personalities or spending habits. Find ways to compromise and respect each other's approaches to money.
4. Seek Professional Help if Needed
If you're struggling to align your money mindsets, consider working with a financial therapist or coach who can help mediate and provide tools for better financial communication.
Remember: Your Financial Journey is Your Own
At the end of the day, your financial journey is uniquely yours. While it's natural to want to help family members, it's crucial to prioritize your own financial health and well-being. By setting clear boundaries and fostering open communication about money, you can maintain healthy relationships while staying true to your financial goals and values.
Setting healthy financial boundaries with family isn't always easy, but it's an essential part of maintaining both your financial health and your relationships. Remember, it's not selfish to prioritize your own financial well-being – it's necessary for long-term stability and the ability to truly help others when appropriate.
Message me on socials @denisedt if you have more questions or a particular win to share about setting boundaries with your families.
For more, these articles will help:
How to Protect Your Money Mindset from Negative Friends and Family
3 Steps to Stop People Pleasing and Create Better Boundaries
Raising kids with a healthy money mindset
xx Denise
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April 30, 2025
Avoiding the family money trap and setting healthy financial boundaries.
Avoiding the family money trap and setting healthy financial boundaries
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Money can be a touchy subject, especially when it comes to family.
Whether it's dealing with financially irresponsible parents or navigating money conversations with our partners, setting healthy boundaries is crucial for maintaining positive relationships and our own financial well-being.
If you’ve ever struggled with family money issues or felt financially responsible for others, today’s episode is for you. It’s a candid one, where I open up about my personal experiences with family finances and share insights on setting healthy boundaries.
Tune in to learn about;
Navigating Family Financial Dynamics
The weight of feeling responsible for others' financial situations
How childhood experiences shape our money mindset
Practical tips for setting boundaries with family members
Energetic Cord-Cutting
Visualizing and releasing energetic ties to others' money issues
Techniques to protect your own financial energy
The importance of "right-sizing" relationships
Partner Money Mindset
Strategies for aligning financial goals with your significant other
Communicating effectively about money in relationships
Understanding and respecting different money archetypes
I also address a listener question about bringing partners along on the entrepreneurial journey, offering practical advice for couples navigating business and finances together.
Remember, you're not responsible for solving everyone's money problems. Focus on your own financial growth while maintaining compassion for others.
Curious to learn more about setting healthy financial boundaries? Listen now.
xx Denise
April 23, 2025
Denise on the Ready, Set, Paid Ads Podcast
I had such a great time chatting with Mary-Anne Amies, host of Ready Set, Paid Ads, about how our money beliefs can influence the way we market ourselves—and how to shift those stories so business can feel easier and more abundant. For years, I avoided paid ads because I thought I had to “earn” every dollar through sheer effort. Now? I see advertising as a tool that supports freedom, not something to feel guilty about.
We also explored how old money memories—passed down through culture, family, or early experiences—can show up as resistance in our business decisions. If you’ve ever hesitated to invest in yourself, raise your prices, or show up more visibly, you’re not alone. These things aren’t just strategy—they’re mindset.
Here’s what we talked about:
How “sweat equity” beliefs kept me from using paid ads
The shift that helped me embrace advertising as support, not shame
Cultural and family money blocks that affect visibility and pricing
The role of AI in making marketing easier
Why diversification in marketing is essential for sustainability
The sweet spot where mindset and marketing work hand-in-hand
Denise on the Welcome to Self Podcast
In this episode of the Welcome to Self podcast I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Hayley D Quinn for a heart-opening conversation on all things money, mindset, neurodivergence, and giving yourself permission to live a rich, fulfilling life on your own terms.
We covered so much ground in this chat – it's one of those conversations where you feel like you're sitting on the couch with a cuppa, just being seen and heard. Here's what we dived into:
I shared how my upbringing – raised by a 17-year-old single mum in a financially volatile environment – shaped my desire for financial freedom. My journey to becoming a money mentor wasn’t a straight line (spoiler: it involved internet dating ebooks and Oprah binges). But it was driven by a deep desire to share, help, and empower.
We talked through the three big blocks I see all the time:
You have to work hard to make money – and how that belief plays out differently around the world.
You can help people or make money, but not both – especially common in the helping professions.
More money, more problems – and how fear of success or visibility can sabotage us.
Daily rituals to calm your money mindset
Daily rituals to calm your money mindset
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How’s that voice in your head right now? Is your mind racing with self-doubt or negativity?
As someone who's experienced my fair share of mental chatter, I’ve learned a few daily rituals that can help calm those pesky voices telling you why you can't have something or why life can't be great.
From tapping into the power of EFT to surrounding yourself with supportive communities, in today's podcast episode we explore various techniques to calm your inner critic.
Key takeaways from this episode:
The importance of self-love and compassion in managing negative thoughts
How to use EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) to address limiting beliefs
The role of community support in gaining perspective and silencing self-doubt
Strategies for mindful consumption of media and information
Techniques for grounding yourself during periods of growth and success
We also tackle the challenge of dealing with resistance to a calling. If you've ever felt a strong pull towards something but found yourself avoiding it or going blank when you try to pursue it, you're not alone.
Remember, it's okay to start small. Even tiny steps can lead to significant progress when you're pursuing your dreams.
xx Denise
April 21, 2025
Denise on the She is Courageous Podcast
In this special episode of The She is Courageous Podcast, I had the joy of chatting with Shelley Bosworth about one of my favorite topics—creating a life and business filled with financial ease, clarity, and alignment.
I shared a bit of my own journey—from growing up in a small Australian town with a lot of money scarcity, to eventually building a multimillion-dollar business that supports women all over the world. We talked about why money mindset continues to be such a sticky challenge for so many women, and how issues like guilt, boundaries, and perfectionism show up in both life and business.
One thing we really dove into was how "success" doesn’t always mean striving for more. Sometimes, it’s about choosing differently—choosing alignment, choosing peace, and choosing courage over perfection.
I also opened up about what it means to create success on your own terms—especially as someone who proudly identifies as a "lazy introvert." Spoiler: “lazy” doesn’t mean unmotivated—it means prioritizing what truly matters and designing a business around your natural energy. You absolutely can make money with ease—without burning out or hustling 24/7.
If you're in a season of transition, just starting out, or thinking about making a bold pivot in your business or life, this episode is packed with encouragement, mindset shifts, and a reminder that you are allowed to do things your own way.
I hope it feels like a cozy, no-fluff coaching session that gives you permission to breathe, reflect, and trust yourself a little more. You’ve got this!
What We Covered:
My journey from life coach to money mentor
What it really means to “make money with ease”
Ditching people-pleasing and perfectionism
Why pricing and boundaries are so tough for women—and how to shift that
Navigating unsupportive energy from others
The courage it takes to pivot, even when things are “working”
Reframing guilt and redefining wealth on your own terms
Denise on the Embrace Midlife Podcast
In this special episode of Embrace Midlife, I had the absolute pleasure of joining Belinda Stark to talk all things money mindset—especially how it impacts women in midlife.
We dug into why so many women in this season of life shy away from their finances. It’s not because we’re bad with money—it’s often the result of deep-rooted societal conditioning and generational patterns that have taught us money is taboo or “not our responsibility.” I shared how our upbringing, family beliefs, and the culture we grow up in all contribute to the stories we carry about money, often without even realizing it.
We also explored the Sacred Money Archetypes—a tool I absolutely love—that helps you understand your natural money strengths, challenges, and patterns. Knowing your archetype can be a total game-changer in how you relate to money.
Throughout the conversation, I opened up about my own experiences and some of the money blocks I’ve had to work through, especially those passed down from previous generations. We talked about how important it is to get conscious about the money beliefs we’re modeling for our kids, too.
This episode is full of practical tips and gentle encouragement to help you reflect on your own money story and start shifting any beliefs that might be keeping you stuck. I truly believe midlife is the perfect time to create a new, more empowered relationship with money—and it’s never too late to start.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. And be sure to tune in next week for part two of our chat—we go even deeper!
April 16, 2025
Maintaining a positive money mindset during economic uncertainty
Maintaining a positive money mindset during economic uncertainty
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First things first, let's acknowledge the elephant in the room: yes, the economy is challenging right now.
From high interest rates to general financial uncertainty, people are feeling the squeeze. But here's the thing - we can't control the economy, but we can control how we respond to it.
In my latest episode of Chill and Prosper, I tackle the burning question of finding clients during economic downturns and how to maintain a positive money mindset.
When things get tough, it's easy to spiral into panic mode. So, let's dive into some practical strategies to navigate these choppy economic waters and keep your money mindset strong.
Listen now to learn:
How to keep your business thriving when everyone seems to be tightening their belts
Acknowledging economic realities and maintaining an abundance mindset.
How to use tapping (EFT) to calm your nervous system during stressful times
Practical strategies for finding clients, even when the economy is struggling
Why you don't need to be financially "perfect" to coach others on abundance
Role-modeling healthy money attitudes for others
Whether you're a coach, entrepreneur, or simply looking to improve your relationship with money, you'll find valuable insights to help you navigate today's economic landscape with a little more confidence.
Try tapping on phrases like…
"Even though I feel stressed about the economy, I choose to remain calm and focused."
This isn't about gaslighting yourself - it's about creating a mental state where you can think clearly and strategically.
Remember, in the face of uncertainty, it's all about making empowered choices. Are you ready to shift your perspective and thrive, regardless of external circumstances?
xx Denise
