Finding Financial Gratitude: A Path to Clarity, Connection, and Confidence

By Mary Lou Daly, Head of Therapy-Informed Financial Planning™ at Healthy Love and Money

Off and on throughout my life, I’ve come back to the practice of gratitude.

It began with Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness for Beginners and deepened through Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Through that journey, I began gratitude journaling—writing down three things I was thankful for each day. Over time, this simple ritual helped me reconnect with what truly matters and navigate life’s complexities with more peace and clarity.

Recently, financial educator Dr. Meghaan Lurtz posed a question that caught my attention:

“What if we brought the practice of gratitude into our financial lives?”

This question opened something new for me. It gave me a fresh lens through which to view not just my own financial journey, but the journeys of the couples and individuals I work with every day.

Why Financial Gratitude Matters

At Healthy Love and Money, we believe that how we relate to money is never just about math—it’s about meaning. Our financial decisions are shaped by our relationships, our histories, and our emotions.

Gratitude invites us to pause and reflect on what’s gone right. It helps us appreciate the people, values, and experiences that have contributed to our financial story. In that reflection, we often find clarity, confidence, and connection.

My Personal Reflections on Financial Gratitude

Here are a few of my own reflections, guided by Meghaan’s powerful questions:

Who has played a role in your financial journey that you’d like to acknowledge?
I’m deeply grateful to my mother. She emphasized the importance of saving for retirement early on, and she framed it not as a sacrifice but as a gift—freedom, choice, and peace of mind.

What’s a financial decision you’re thankful for?
Working with Bragg Financial to implement mega backdoor Roth contributions was a meaningful step for our retirement plan. It took intention and education—but it’s had a lasting impact on our financial future.

What has money allowed you to do that you’re proud of?
My husband and I have been able to give to organizations we care deeply about—like Ronald McDonald House and Memory and Movement Charlotte. These contributions remind us that money can be a tool for connection, purpose, and generosity.

Gratitude in the Financial Planning Process

In my work with couples, gratitude becomes more than a moment of reflection—it becomes a foundation.

As part of our Therapy-Informed Financial Planning™ process, we regularly invite clients to name what they’re grateful for. We’ve found this leads to:

• A deeper appreciation for each other’s financial contributions

• A shift from blame or anxiety to shared purpose

• More intentional and aligned decision-making

• Healing from past financial wounds

• A greater sense of financial confidence and hope

Gratitude grounds couples. It helps them step out of survival mode and into a sense of possibility.

A Firm-Wide Practice at Healthy Love and Money

This approach to gratitude isn’t just mine—it’s baked into the DNA of our firm.

At Healthy Love and Money, we see gratitude as a powerful catalyst in helping couples learn, heal, and grow through the process of building their financial life together. It’s a practice we return to because it consistently deepens connection and clarifies values.

We’re not just here to help you grow your wealth—we’re here to help you make your money more meaningful.

Explore Your Own Financial Gratitude Story

I’d love to help you discover your own financial gratitude story.

In a complimentary 30-minute consultation, we’ll explore:

• The people who shaped your financial worldview

• The decisions you’re proud of

• How your financial life can support what matters most to you now

Whether you're building your first financial plan or reimagining your next chapter, gratitude is a powerful lens to help you move forward—together.

📅 Book Your Complimentary Consultation →

With gratitude,
Mary Lou Daly
Head of Therapy-Informed Financial Planning™
Healthy Love and Money