Introduction
This Money Matters for Real People series is designed to explore the intersection of financial strategy, mindset, and long-term decision making. Each episode breaks down complex financial topics into clear, actionable insights to help individuals, families, and business owners make more confident financial decisions.
Summary
In this episode of Mind Over Money, Cristina Easterling and Josh Montanez explore how our thoughts, fears, and habits shape our financial future. They discuss the powerful role of money stories and inherited beliefs in influencing everything from spending and saving to risk-taking and long-term planning.
Cristina and Josh unpack the shift from operating in “survival mode” to a more intentional, strategy-driven approach. They explore how early experiences shape financial behaviors, highlight common limiting beliefs, and share how shifting those beliefs can lead to greater confidence and control.
With over 14 years of experience, Josh is the founder of Montanez Wealth Advisors, where he leads a team delivering comprehensive financial planning across investments, tax efficiency, retirement, and risk management.
Together, they bridge mindset and strategy to show how awareness and action create lasting financial change.
Disclosure
Please remember that all investments carry some level of risk, including the potential loss of principal invested. No investment strategy can assure a profit and does not protect against loss in declining markets. Indexes and/or benchmarks are unmanaged and cannot be invested in directly. Returns represent past performance, are not a guarantee of future performance and are not indicative of any specific investment.
Members use Montanez Wealth Advisors as a marketing name for doing business as representatives of Northwestern Mutual. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries, including Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (Investment Brokerage Services), a subsidiary of NM, registered investment adviser, broker-dealer and member FINRA and SIPC and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (Investment Advisory Services) , a federal savings bank. NM and its subsidiaries are in Milwaukee, WI.
To view detailed disclosures regarding individual representatives, view their information at www.montanezwealth.com.
In this episode
00:00 Introduction
02:00 Why mindset matters
05:00 How your background shapes money habits
08:30 Risk vs. unfamiliarity
12:00 Navigating financial strategies
14:30 Limiting beliefs
17:00 From survival to strategy
20:30 Building awareness and confidence