The Emotional Cost of Undercharging: Pricing, Boundaries, and Self-Worth
- Kimberly DeShields-Spencer
- Jul 16
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 25
Written By: Monique Davis
The Morning She Almost Gave Up
It was the second week of January when Nicole found herself curled up on the couch, coffee in one hand, tears in the other. Outside, the morning sun peeked through the blinds, but her heart felt heavy with disappointment. Her phone buzzed with a new transaction alert—another automatic payment had gone through, pushing her checking account dangerously close to empty. Again.
Just two weeks earlier, she had sat at this same kitchen table, full of ambition and hope, writing out the most detailed New Year’s budget she’d ever attempted. Color-coded spreadsheets. Savings trackers.
Debt payoff plans. Even motivational sticky notes on the fridge.
“This year will be different,” she’d told herself. “This is the year I take control.”
But it wasn’t different.
By January 12, her plan had already derailed. An unexpected car repair. A coworker’s birthday dinner. A weekend Target run that somehow turned into a $147 tab. She had dipped into her emergency fund—and then used her credit card to refill it.
Nicole stared down at her planner, eyes brimming with tears. She was exhausted. Defeated. And angry at herself.“Why does this always happen?” she whispered. “Why can’t I stick to it?”
That’s when her phone rang.
“Hey girl,” came the warm voice of her best friend Angela. “You free for brunch today? You sound like you need pancakes and a pep talk.”
Nicole let out a weak laugh. “Only if we skip the part where you tell me to try budgeting again.”
Angela chuckled. “Nope. I was actually going to say the opposite. You don’t need another budget—you need a vision board.”
“A what?” Nicole blinked.
“A financial vision board. Trust me. Come over. Bring scissors, coffee, and an open mind.”
Why Most Budgets Fail Before February
Nicole isn’t alone. Most of us set financial resolutions with the best of intentions, only to abandon them within a few weeks. Not because we don’t care—but because we’re only focused on the what (the numbers), not the why (the vision).
Budgets tend to emphasize what you can’t do:
No eating out.
Cut back on shopping.
Cancel subscriptions.
While those steps can help, they’re rooted in restriction, not inspiration.
We don’t quit because we’re lazy—we quit because we don’t feel connected to the process. Numbers alone don’t keep us motivated. We need a reason that goes beyond bills and balances.
That’s where financial vision boards change the game.
What Is a Financial Vision Board?
A financial vision board is a visual representation of your money goals, your dreams, and the life you’re working toward. It combines images, words, affirmations, and emotional intention to bring your financial future to life.
Unlike a spreadsheet, a vision board reminds you:
Why you’re working hard
What financial freedom looks like for you
How you’ll feel when you hit those goals
Where your money is meant to take you
It’s not about guilt—it’s about clarity and inspiration.
Nicole’s Shift: From Spreadsheet to Vision
That Sunday afternoon, Nicole sat at Angela’s dining table surrounded by magazines, glue sticks, scissors, and a stack of printed Pinterest images.
Angela poured them both tea and asked gently, “What does financial peace look like for you? Not the numbers—just the vision. What’s your dream life, financially speaking?”
Nicole paused. “I want to be able to travel without guilt. To pay off my debt and finally stop worrying every time my phone buzzes with a bank alert. I want to wake up and not feel fear when I check my account.”
Angela smiled. “That’s what we’re putting on your board.”
Together, they found images of Paris cafes, peaceful bedrooms with open windows, smiling women in business suits, a hand holding a “debt free” sign, and families laughing together on a beach. Nicole cut out bold words like Freedom, Overflow, Peace, Ownership, and Legacy.
She glued down a picture of a woman hugging her parents and wrote beside it, “I paid off their mortgage.” Another image showed a passport and suitcase with a caption: Paid in full.
By the time they finished, Nicole’s board wasn’t just pretty—it was purposeful. It was hers. And most importantly, it made her feel something.
“I don’t feel stuck anymore,” she said softly, staring at her creation. “I feel like I’m headed somewhere.”
Why Vision > Budget (At First)
Budgets are necessary. They help you track spending, manage debt, and make sound decisions. But budgeting without a vision is like trying to build a house without blueprints. You may know what tools to use, but you have no idea what you're actually building.
Here's why vision must come first:
1. Budgets Focus on Restraint. Vision Focuses on Reward.
Most budgets begin with a list of things to cut. While that may be practical, it can feel like punishment. Vision boards are the opposite—they help you stay focused on the reward, not just the sacrifice. You’re not cutting lattes to save money. You’re choosing your dream over momentary pleasure.
2. Vision Creates Emotional Connection
We don’t stay committed to things we only think about—we stay committed to things we feel connected to. A financial vision board provides that connection. It taps into emotion. It creates imagery that speaks louder than numbers.
3. Vision Clarifies Your Personal Why
Not every money goal is just about the money. Often it’s about stability, peace, freedom, or legacy. Vision boards help you articulate your why. When your choices are grounded in purpose, your discipline becomes more sustainable.
4. Vision Makes the Budget Feel Worth It
When you’ve created a powerful, emotionally resonant financial vision, the budget becomes the action plan—not the enemy. You're not just limiting yourself. You're prioritizing the things that matter most.
How to Build Your Own Financial Vision Board
Step 1: Reflect on Your Money Dreams and Desires
Ask yourself:
What am I working toward financially?
What would financial peace look like in my daily life?
What kind of legacy do I want to leave?
What experiences would bring joy, freedom, or impact to my life?
Let your answers guide the rest of the process.
Step 2: Gather Visuals That Reflect Your Future
Look through magazines, Pinterest, Google Images, or even your phone’s photo library. Choose images that represent your dreams:
Travel destinations
Family memories
Homes, cars, or business goals
Acts of generosity
Debt-free celebrations
Quiet moments of peace
Select images that stir something in you—not just what looks good, but what feels aligned with the future you want.
Step 3: Choose a Format That Works for You
There is no one-size-fits-all. Your vision board can be:
A large poster board
A digital collage in Canva
A Pinterest board
A journal page with taped-in images
A desktop or phone wallpaper
The goal is to see it regularly—so choose a format that fits your lifestyle.
Step 4: Add Affirmations, Power Words, and Declarations
Use words that reflect your goals and mindset:
“Debt free and free indeed”
“Abundance is my birthright”
“I am the first in my family to build wealth on purpose”
“Money flows to me with ease and intention”
“I am creating a financial legacy that outlives me”
You can handwrite them, print them, or use word cutouts. Make your language bold, personal, and empowering.
Step 5: Display It Where You’ll See It
Put your board somewhere it will inspire you daily:
Your bedroom wall
Your office space
Inside your planner
As your phone background
Revisit it often. Let it guide your spending, your decisions, and your attitude toward money.
Real Results from a Vision-Driven Life
Nicole started using her board every morning. Instead of dreading her budget, she felt excited about where her money was going. Within six months, she had:
Paid off two credit cards
Started a travel savings fund
Cut expenses that didn’t align with her vision
Made better financial decisions without feeling deprived
The board became her compass. And for the first time, money felt like a tool, not a trap.
Before You Budget, Build the Vision
Budgets help you manage your money. Vision helps you lead it.
If you're tired of starting and stopping, if the spreadsheets aren't working, and if you feel like your finances are more about fear than purpose, it might be time to try something different.
Let your vision speak louder than your budget. Let your dream direct your discipline.
Because when you can see it, you can build it. And once you build it, you can live it.
--------------
We rise better together.
Behind Her Brand IG
Behind Her Brand
BHB YouTube Channel
Comments