How Mental Health Messes With Your Money with Mariana Barajas

In this episode of Yo Quiero Dinero, Jannese sits down with Mariana Barajas, licensed therapist and money coach aka @lamoneytherapist to unpack the deep, emotional connection between mental health and money.From first-gen pressure and eldest-daughter trauma to scarcity mindsets, over-spending, money hoarding, and burnout, this conversation goes beyond budgeting tips and gets to the root of our financial behaviors. Because let’s be real: most of us already know what to do with money—what stops us is what’s happening in our nervous system.Mariana breaks down how childhood experiences, cultural conditioning, and subconscious beliefs shape the way we earn, spend, save, and invest—and what it actually takes to heal your relationship with money.If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t keep money, why you’re afraid to take financial risks, or why success still doesn’t feel like enough… this episode is for you.What We Get Into00:01 – 02:00Mariana’s background as a licensed therapist and money coachWhy mental health and financial wellness must be treated holistically02:01 – 05:00First-gen upbringing, eldest daughter pressure, and seeking parental validationHow childhood emotional neglect can shape adult ambition and burnout05:01 – 07:45Growing up with limited financial resourcesHow early awareness of money scarcity impacts confidence and decision-making07:46 – 10:10The fast dopamine hit of spending once you “finally make it”How retail therapy can quietly lead to debt and lifestyle inflation10:11 – 13:20Identifying subconscious money beliefsIntroduction to financial therapy and why budgeting alone isn’t enough13:21 – 15:30The Money-Worthiness FrameworkChallenging limiting beliefs, building self-trust, and the role of community15:31 – 18:10People-pleasing, and cultural expectations placed on womenHow these beliefs impact earning, saving, and self-advocacy18:11 – 21:45Preparing for motherhood financially and emotionallyFunding maternity leave, wellness practices, and not losing yourself in motherhood21:46 – 24:00Fear-based money behaviors: hoarding, anxiety, and controlUnderstanding where “fear of losing everything” really comes from24:01 – 27:15Why some people can’t hold onto moneySpending as a reflection of worthiness wounds and external validation27:16 – 30:45Values-based spending vs. keeping up appearancesLetting go of money decisions driven by comparison30:46 – 33:45Increasing income as a wealth strategyBreaking limiting beliefs around “acceptable” income in helping professions33:46 – 36:30Building generational wealth with intentionCustodial Roth IRAs, 529s, and giving kids financial options36:31 – 39:30Why funding your retirement is a gift to your childrenBreaking cycles of financial dependence and self-sacrifice39:31 – 41:45Supporting family financially without destroying your mental healthThe emotional weight of being the “sandwich generation”41:46 – 44:40How to work with MarianaFinancial therapy vs. coaching and knowing which one you needKey TakeawaysYour money habits didn’t come out of nowhere—they were learned.Scarcity isn’t just financial; it lives in your nervous system.Over-spending and under-earning often stem from worthiness wounds.Budgeting won’t fix trauma—but healing trauma will fix your money.You don’t need to do it all alone—community is part of wealth-building.Generational wealth is built over generations, not in one lifetime.Resources MentionedLatinx Therapy – Find culturally aligned therapistsFree Download: New Year Dinero Reset GuideA 10-step checklist to reset your finances for the new year — covering debt, budgeting, investing, insurance, and estate planning.Have a question? Leave me a voicemailBook: Financially Lit by Jannese TorresConnect with MarianaInstagram: @lamoneytherapistOffers:Financial Therapy (California residents)Financial Coaching (nationwide).This podcast was produced and edited by Idea to Launch Productions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.