Redefining Wealth: A New Way to Think About Your Money This Spring
- Michelle Petrowski, CFP®
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Welcome to My Blog! The Invented Life - Where Wealth is more than money 💰
With spring here, I think of renewal and change. Spring cleaning and a new start; a new point of view even.
We are conditioned to often think of wealth as a number—something you can measure, chart, or grow. And while growing our net worth matters (yes, I personally love spreadsheets and data), real wealth is about more than the balance in our accounts.
It's about feeling secure and having agency over your life. It's about time with people you love, being able to say “yes” to what matters and “no” to what doesn’t. It’s about living a life aligned with your values—even when circumstances change and being at peace in the midst of the change.
I believe that “wealthy” people use money intentionally, as a tool to build the life they truly want—rich in meaning, connection, and purpose.
That belief is at the heart of my work and my firm’s guiding philosophy: that wealth is more than money.
What If Wealth Meant Living Fully? ✨
Stephen Brody, a thought leader in financial life planning, invites us to consider a more expansive view of wealth—what he calls
Return on Life, not just Return on Investment.
I just love this flip on the script. His work emphasizes that our financial lives should support our deepest aspirations, not just our lifestyle.
So instead of only asking, “How much do I have?” we ask:
What is this money for?
What does enough look like for me?
Am I using my resources to live the life I want—or just living a life that money dictates?
What kind of legacy are we hoping to leave—not just in financial terms, but in terms of values, relationships, and impact?
Because the real ROI, for many of us, is time with our kids or grandkids; not just climbing the corporate ladder. It’s being able to support a cause that stirs something in our soul. It’s the peace of mind that comes from knowing we can weather life’s storms—or the joy of knowing we helped someone else do the same.
When I had my son and second child, living life more fully meant leaving a full-time job in tech to work part-time in tech. It mean having the ability to be that mom that could be the teacher’s helper, hall monitor, girl scout leader. It meant working from home and giving up a 2+ hour daily commute so my kid’s didn’t have to return home from school to an empty house when they were teenagers. Were there financial trade-offs at the time? Sure, but this was the “Return on Life” that I wanted and needed as a mother at that time and although I gave up promotions and income, my choice would be the same today.
📌 5 Practical Ways to Experience Wealth Beyond Money
Here are some intentional ways to reconnect with the non-financial side of wealth, especially if you're going through change—divorce, career transition, empty nesting, or retirement. Or just wondering “what’s next?” and unsure what that even means?
1. Create a “Values-Based Budget”
Before the numbers, list your top 5 values. Then, take a look at your spending. Are your dollars going where your heart is? If community, freedom, or health are top values, but your money is mostly flowing to stuff that doesn’t fulfill you—it’s time for a reset.
2. Write a Personal Wealth Statement
Instead of a net worth statement, create a personal wealth statement. Include:
Relationships that matter most
Time freedom
Skills, health, and knowledge
Meaningful accomplishments
Joyful experiences
This isn’t about ignoring money—it’s about putting it in context.
3. Practice “Enoughness”
In a world obsessed with more, practice defining your “enough.” It’s not a fixed number. It’s a sense of peace that comes from knowing your needs, having your essentials met, and letting go of comparison.
George Kinder’s questions are central to life planning and align beautifully with Brody’s mission- and values-oriented mindset.
Ask yourself:
“If money were no object, how would you live your life? What would you do, who would you be, how would you spend your time?”
(This opens the door to purpose and joy.)
“You’ve just found out you only have 5–10 years left to live. What would you stop doing? What would you focus on?”
(This sharpens priorities and helps surface regrets or dreams.)
“You just learned you have 24 hours to live. What feelings come up? What did you miss? Who did you not get to be?”
(This reveals the soul-level answers—the essence of what matters most.)
Why it matters: These questions reframe financial goals from “How much do I need?, “Do I have enough?” (a scarcity mindset) to “What kind of life do I want to live?” - one of abundance.
4. Use a Life Planning Calendar
Instead of just mapping your calendar with tasks and appointments, try adding:
Connection time: Lunch with a friend, date night, family walk
Contribution time: Volunteer work, mentoring, giving
Curiosity time: A class, podcast, or book that excites you
Let your time reflect your wealth.
5. Build a Financial Plan That Honors Your Season of Life
A newly divorced woman in her 50s doesn’t need a plan that looks like a 30-year-old’s growth-focused investment strategy, or a young family's saving plan. A widower in retirement needs more than just estate planning—she may need a roadmap for rediscovering purpose.
When your plan reflects your season, your why, and your future—not just your numbers—you’ll feel the shift. That’s real wealth in my opinion.
The bottom line?
Wealth Is Personal—And Deeply Human
In my practice, I often meet women who feel shame over past money choices, fear around not having “enough” or what society says they “should” have at this point in their lives, or guilt about spending on themselves.
I want to say this clearly and I hope you can take this in:
"your worth is not your net worth".
Your financial plan should be a reflection of who you are, what you care about, and where you’re going. Not a measure of your past mistakes. You are allowed to begin again, to redefine success, and to rewrite your story.
Let’s Redefine Wealth—Together
You don’t need to have it all figured out. None of us do. If you’re ready to look at wealth in a more holistic way—where money serves your mission, not the other way around—I’d love to help guide the way.
Because I believe this with all my heart: the most fulfilling financial plans don’t just protect your future—they reflect your truth.
✨ Your Turn:
What does wealth mean to you? What’s one area of your life that feels abundant, even if it’s not financial? I’d love to hear what wealth means to you. Drop a comment, send a message, or let’s grab a virtual coffee using this link.
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