Written by Jacquelyn McDaniel Vasquez
Why Self-Worth and Net Worth Are More Connected Than You Think – From Paycheck to Paycheck… on a Six-Figure Salary
I used to make over six figures working a “good government job.”
You’d think that meant financial freedom, right? But I was still living paycheck to paycheck.
On paper, everything looked great: stable job, benefits, reliable income. But internally, I was overwhelmed and exhausted. I felt disconnected from my purpose, undervalued, and deeply unfulfilled.
I knew I was made for more, but I stayed small. I kept playing it safe. I undervalued myself, and that reflected in how I treated money, priced my services, and accepted less than I deserved—financially and emotionally.
That all changed when I walked away from the job and finally bet on myself.
When I stepped fully into my purpose as a money mindset coach, something profound shifted. Money began to flow through both expected and completely unexpected channels. My income increased, my confidence deepened, and my belief in what was possible expanded beyond anything I imagined.
And at the root of it all? A radical upgrade in how I valued myself.
The Science of Self-Worth and Financial Behavior
Most people think money problems stem from income, expenses, or a lack of budgeting skills. But in truth, financial behavior is closely tied to self-perception and emotional well-being.
Research shows
- A study in the Journal of Economic Psychology found that individuals with low self-esteem tend to under-earn and avoid negotiating higher pay, even when they’re qualified.
- Behavioral economist Dan Ariely discovered that people often undervalue their own work, especially when they struggle with self-worth.
- A 2022 University of Illinois study revealed that self-esteem has a greater impact on financial satisfaction than income level itself.
What does that mean?
When you don’t feel worthy of financial success, you unconsciously push it away by undercharging, avoiding visibility, or making decisions from fear instead of abundance.
My Turning Point: From Undervaluing to Overflow
Before I left my 9-5, I constantly questioned whether I deserved more. I tiptoed around what I truly wanted. I waited for permission to dream bigger.
After I quit, I didn’t just change careers—I changed how I viewed myself.
- I started expecting $10,000 a month.
- I expected aligned clients to show up.
- I expected money to come in both joyful and aligned ways.
This wasn’t wishful thinking. It was rooted in knowing—a deep, inner certainty that I was finally aligned with my truth and, therefore, with abundance.
That energy shift made all the difference. And yes, it’s a practice. One that continues to evolve—but the foundation is simple: I now know I am worthy.
How Low Self-Worth Shows Up in Your Finances
Even the most talented, driven, and capable people can struggle financially if they haven’t addressed underlying feelings of unworthiness.
Here are some common ways it might show up:
- Undercharging or avoiding raising prices, even when demand is high
- Feeling uncomfortable asking for a raise or negotiating your worth
- Spending impulsively to feel better, or hoarding money out of fear
- Avoiding opportunities because of impostor syndrome or self-doubt
The financial behavior isn’t the problem—it’s the symptom. The root is often an internal narrative of not being good enough.
Four Ways to Strengthen Your Self-Worth (and Your Finances)
Ready to rewrite the story? Here are four ways to shift your internal world so your external world, especially your finances, can reflect it.
1. Audit Your Inner Dialogue About Money
Start noticing the thoughts that arise when you think about earning, spending, or asking for more. Ask yourself: Is this ultimately true about me?
Spoiler Alert: It’s not; it was most likely a story told to you by someone else or your past experience; it is not true anymore for you. It’s time to rewrite the script.
2. Create a Morning Worthiness Ritual
Try this 3-minute practice:
- Breathe deeply and ground yourself.
- Affirm: “I am worthy of receiving wealth in expected and unexpected ways.”
- Visualize yourself confidently earning and receiving with ease.
3. Make Values-Based Spending Decisions
Instead of saying, “I can’t afford this?” Try asking, “How can I afford this?”
Your brain loves a good puzzle; it will find the opportunities from a place of hope, not your fears.
4. Invest in Inner Work
Mindset coaching, EFT tapping, therapy, and somatic practices can help uncover and heal the deeper blocks that are driving self-sabotage.
Your nervous system needs to feel safe to receive more, so give it the care it deserves.
Finally, When You Know Your Worth, You Attract More
At its core, financial abundance is not about how hard you work—it’s about how deeply you believe in your own value.
- You don’t need to wait until you’ve earned it.
- You don’t need more certifications, more hustle, or more proof.
- You simply need to recognize that you are already enough.
From that place, you make different choices.
And those choices open doors to more freedom, fulfillment, and yes, financial abundance.
Once you shift your inner belief system, your outer world will rise to meet it.
- Connect with Jacquelyn McDaniel Vasquez
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