Money questions are rarely about money. They carry history, fear, hope, and the stories we learned when we were very young. As children we soak up the emotional charge of the adult caretakers around us.
Because of that, I’m opening a new space in this newsletter — a financial therapy advice column where you can write in with the questions you’re carrying, the ones that feel too emotional for a spreadsheet and too financial for traditional therapy.
This financial therapy column is a place for addressing what makes you feel stuck, the patterns you can’t quite name, the conversations you avoid, and the decisions that feel heavier than they “should.”
You might be thinking, “But Tammy, I can just ask AI”
We live in a moment where you can type any question into a chatbot and get an answer in seconds. But money questions aren’t just information problems — they’re human problems. The difference between writing to me and asking AI is the difference between being understood and simply being analyzed.
- I read between the lines. I’m listening for tone, pacing, emotional cues, and the places where you hesitate or over‑explain. I pay as much attention to what you say as to what you don’t say.
- AI struggles to challenge us. In my own interactions with AI, I have noticed, even when I ask for candidness and honestly, AI tells me what it thinks I want to hear. In my responses to my clients, I try to be kind but also direct. Healing our relationship with money is about the pursuit of the truth even when it’s uncomfortable.
- I can detect the emotional layer in your words. Shame, fear, resentment, longing — I can reflect these emotions so you feel seen. I offer attunement. AI can’t do that.
- I ask the right follow‑up question. Financial therapy isn’t about giving the “right” answer; it’s about unlocking clarity.
- I understand relational dynamics. Many money questions are actually relationship questions, and I can hold that complexity.
As I was working on this newsletter, I received this reflection from a client who wrote to me after I helped her navigate the financial complexities of a health decision.
“Your help and perspective on the cost of these preventative screenings is genuinely helpful to me… Knowing you know how I approach things AND synthesizing that with your own experiences/expertise is valuable! And something chatgpt can’t do for me 🙂 It is all very emotional (even though the logic is obvious)” – Callie
Want to write in?
If there’s a question you’ve been carrying — something confusing, frustrating, or simply unclear — you’re welcome to send it my way. I’ll choose one or two letters each month and respond with the same blend of emotional intelligence and practical clarity I bring to my work with clients.
📨 How to Send a Question for the Column
Your letter can be as short or as detailed as you’d like. You can include context, or you can simply describe the moment you’re in.
You’re also welcome to write anonymously. I’ll change identifying details in anything I publish so your privacy is protected. Your submission may be edited for clarity and length.
When you write, consider sharing:
- What’s happening externally (the situation, the decision, the conflict)
- What’s happening internally (the feelings, fears, hopes, or stuck places)
- What you’re longing for clarity around
Send your letter to: tammy@tammyshweiger.com Subject line: Ask a Financial Therapist
I am looking forward to hearing from you!
