Master Your Money Mindset

Does it feel like you'll never get out of debt? Do you wonder why anyone would invest, given today's uncertain economy? In today's episode, financial expert Brooke Dean discusses how to deal with the anxiety and resistance that can keep us stuck in a scarcity mindset. She also discusses the small steps you can take today to begin to move toward financial empowerment.

You can learn more about Brooke Dean and contact her here. 

Want to get a snapshot of your own life in just minutes? Take the free Prior 10 Life Assessment at www.prior10.com/assessment.

The information contained and documents referenced in the podcast “Your Priority Centered Life” are for entertainment, educational and informational purposes only, and are not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, professional medical or health treatment, diagnosis, or advice. We strongly encourage listeners to consult with medical providers or qualified mental health providers with issues and questions regarding any physical and/or mental health symptoms or concerns that they may have. Furthermore, the opinions and views expressed by podcast guests, partners and/or affiliates are not necessarily those of the podcast host. Dr. Alise Murray’s opinions and views are expressed in her individual capacity and are not to be construed as those of any of her podcast guests, partners and/or affiliates.

Transcript

Welcome! It is my pleasure to invite Brooke Dean to today's podcast. Brooke has more than two decades of experience in the financial industry, and she specializes in educating women on why they want to build their wealth—giving them the confidence to do so. She is a certified financial planner, a registered retirement consultant, and she has just finished a brand-new book on financial confidence building for women. So welcome, Brooke. I'm excited for our conversation today.

Brooke:
Thank you, Alise. I'm really excited to be here.

Alise:
Tell us a little bit about what brought you to focus on financial confidence building for women. What inspired that in your own journey?

Brooke:
That's a great question, and it probably goes back quite a while. Early in my career, I was actually married young, and my dad always mentored me to be a saver. Unfortunately, I married a spender. So a lot of it was about using my money to make his life better instead of my own. Over the last two decades, as I've worked with women, I’ve seen a lot of similar situations. Women often put everyone else first—their aging parents, their kids, their work—and they come last, especially when it comes to finances.

Alise:
Yeah, absolutely. Obviously there are individual differences, but by and large, women’s brains are more contextually organized. Research shows men’s brains tend to light up in a more focused way, driven by testosterone, while women’s brains tend to light up in many different areas—we’re thinking about relationships, logistics, impact. That’s a wonderful strength, but it can also be confusing. It can create a push-pull where a woman wonders, “Is it okay for me to focus on myself in this way?” And then, as you say, there’s overthinking and guilt and maybe a feeling that you need to prove something.

Brooke:
Exactly. There’s that guilt—should I be paying more attention to my finances, or is that just one more thing pulling me away from being a good mom or caregiver? I love what you said about testosterone too. I’ve actually read that it makes it easier for men to invest because there’s that thrill or high—it boosts their confidence. For women, it’s more about protecting what we’ve worked hard for. It’s about safety over risk.

Alise:
So how do you help women give themselves permission to focus on finances, even when there are so many competing priorities?

Brooke:
Just having that base knowledge that your money’s being taken care of is really important. One way I encourage this is by reframing it—have a “wealth date.” Instead of dreading it, make it something enjoyable. Once a month, set aside half an hour to learn something new—take a class, listen to a financial podcast—and pair it with your favorite dessert. Make it positive. If it’s just “budgeting,” your brain will check out.

Alise:
That’s so true. I use the software “You Need a Budget,” and they just changed the interface. It used to say “Open your budget,” and now it says “Open your plan.” I think people have a resistance to the word “budget”—it feels constraining. But really, it’s about standing up for your priorities. Like being able to say, “My child wants this expensive camp, but I’m thinking about long-term goals, so let’s talk about alternatives.”

Brooke:
Exactly. As a mom myself, I get that urge to give kids everything. But sometimes saying no—or choosing a better option—is a greater gift. It teaches them to think critically about money, about tradeoffs, and about values.

Alise:
Did the way you were raised shape your approach to money?

Brooke:
Yes, definitely. And I’ve heard that’s true for most people. I was lucky—my dad was in finance and taught me to “pay yourself first.” That stuck. I tell all my clients to teach their kids that too. But if you didn’t grow up with that mindset, it’s easy to fall into shame or feel like, “I’ve already got this credit card debt, what’s another $300?” And then it snowballs. But you can stop and say, “Okay, this is where I am—but I don’t have to keep going in this direction.” No one’s coming to the rescue. It’s about taking back control and making your priorities matter.

Alise:
It’s hard—there’s so much chaos right now. People are anxious, and many feel ashamed that they haven’t done more. When someone is in that place—anxious, ashamed, and stuck—how do you help them move forward?

Brooke:
So many people feel that way. First, I ask them to step back and look at what they want from money. Is it freedom? Confidence? Flexibility? If your only goal is “make as much money as possible,” it’s not sustainable or motivating. But if you want to retire at a certain age, or take time off with your family, or travel—those are tangible goals. Then you can take small steps. Maybe save $25 a month. That $25 grows, and suddenly you realize you don’t miss it. So you raise it to $50. Little changes make a big difference over time. It’s less overwhelming that way.

Alise:
That makes sense. I know for me, growing up working class and even being on welfare at times, I internalized this idea that financial security wasn’t for me—that I didn’t belong in that world. Sometimes we hold ourselves back because of identity.

Brooke:
Absolutely. But that’s where we have to reevaluate what we think money says about us. Money isn’t good or bad—it’s a tool. Yes, some people hoard it, but others use it to give, to support, to make an impact. It depends on how you choose to use it.

Alise:
Exactly. I also think that even when people know they want to make a change, the fear of change itself holds them back. Like with my clients, sometimes their finances score low on an assessment—but when I ask if they want to address it, they’ll say, “Not right now.” There’s that fear that someone’s going to tell them to give up their iced vanilla latte, and they’re not ready to face that.

Brooke:
Yes! We want to stay in our comfort zone, even if it’s not serving us. But that’s where no growth happens. The book I’m finishing now is all about that—stepping outside the comfort zone. It’s not about giving up all joy until retirement. The habits that last are the ones that feel doable. Like with exercise—you might not go to the gym for an hour daily, but taking the stairs or walking more can be sustainable. Same with money—small, regular actions add up.

Alise:
Let’s talk investing. A lot of people feel stuck between wanting to invest and having credit card debt. What do you recommend?

Brooke:
I hear that all the time—people saying, “Once I pay off the debt, then I’ll invest.” But often, years go by and they’re still in debt. I recommend doing both—pay down the debt and start investing. Especially if the credit card gets paid off and then maxed again—that’s a cycle. I suggest lowering the limit, freeing up cash, and starting small with investing—maybe that same $25 you were using toward your card.

Alise:
So it’s not all or nothing. You can do both.

Brooke:
Exactly. You don’t need to wait until everything’s perfect. Invest what you can, and let it grow over time. That way, five years from now, you’re not just slightly less in debt—you also have assets.

Alise:
And make sure you're still enjoying life. It’s about being intentional. Instead of shopping to relieve stress, maybe put that item on a wish list and revisit it later.

Brooke:
Yes! That pause gives you time to reflect. Often you’ll realize you didn’t really want it. I recommend couples do this too—shared wish lists can help align goals. Just giving yourself space to think before you buy is huge. Even changing the checkout process from one click to three steps helps reduce impulse purchases.

Alise:
So true. Okay, last question. What do you say to people who are nervous about investing right now—when the economy feels so unstable?

Brooke:
I get that fear. But if you zoom out and look at history—2008, the pandemic, even the Great Depression—markets eventually recover and grow. Yes, there’s short-term volatility, but investing is about the long term. I always say, it’s not about timing the market—it’s about time in the market. The longer you stay invested, the more your wealth builds. Don’t panic about short-term ups and downs. Think long-term and stay the course.

Alise:
Beautifully said. Thank you so much, Brooke. If someone wants to connect with you or follow your work, where can they go?

Brooke:
Thanks, Alise. This has been such a pleasure. You can find me on Instagram at @DramaFreeFinances, where I share inspiration and motivation to build investing confidence. You can also visit my website at bmdfinancial.ca.

And keep an eye out for my book—it’s coming late 2025 or early 2026!

Alise:
Fantastic. And although you’re in Canada, this information really applies across the board, right?

Brooke:
Absolutely. The book isn’t focused on Canadian-specific products—it’s about universal mindsets and principles, especially for women.

Alise:
These are solid financial and psychological principles. Thank you again—it's truly been a pleasure.

Brooke:
Thank you. It’s been wonderful.