Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the National Eucharistic Congress as a representative for Ruah Woods, a Theology of the Body ministry that offers both psychological services and a TOB-based curriculum for Catholic schools. As a vendor, I had early access to the marketplace each morning—those quiet moments before the crowds arrived were truly a gift. Of course, the real highlight of the Congress was the profound presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, but I have to admit: I also thoroughly enjoyed exploring the vendor hall. It was inspiring to see such a diverse collection of Catholic businesses, each bringing their own charism to serve the Church.
While browsing the booths, one in particular caught my attention—WalletWin, a Catholic financial literacy ministry founded by a married couple. Intrigued by their mission, I picked up their book when I got home: WalletWin: How to Attack Debt, Build Savings, and Change the World Through Generosity. What stood out to me wasn’t just the practical financial advice (which is solid), but the deeper focus on stewardship and our relationship with money. As a psychologist, I especially appreciated the reflective prompts throughout the book that encouraged readers to explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors around money—and how those are often shaped by our past. It felt like a truly integrative approach, merging sound financial planning with interior awareness and spiritual formation.
Discovering My “Money Story”
For a long time, I believed that I was not “good at money.” It wasn’t that I didn’t understand budgeting or saving—I actually knew what I was supposed to do. But both saving and spending brought me a strange mix of guilt and anxiety. I grew up in a single-parent household with a mother who constantly overspent and was horrendous at managing money (we are talking over 30 credit cards maxed out terrible). My mother was an impulsive spender—and money always seemed to slip through her fingers. My father always had money but never wanted to spend it and questioned every financial move. He was a very prudent spender and saved most of his money, but I never lived with him. He provided for our basic needs from a distance and seemed to always be the one to bail us out. On the outside, our family looked like we were getting by thanks to my father’s distant financial support, but at home there was a lot of stress and unpredictability. This dynamic gave me some confusing mixed messages about money!
Somewhere along the way, I internalized the message that having too much money was selfish or indulgent—but having too little was unsafe. That left me in this constant balancing act: trying to save just enough, but never so much that it felt like I was hoarding. If I built up a cushion, I’d feel uneasy about having too much money and find a reason to spend it “for the family” or “on something useful.” It was like I couldn’t allow myself to hold onto extra money—and more than that, I didn’t believe I was supposed to.
Reading WalletWin helped me put words to this pattern for the first time. Their prompts around money mindset and personal history helped me realize: this wasn’t just about the numbers—it was about identity, family dynamics, and the stories I’d been carrying since childhood. That insight didn’t fix everything overnight, but it gave me permission to approach money with more curiosity and compassion instead of guilt or shame.
Sharing all of this with my husband—who grew up in a very financially prudent home with parents who saved well and knew how to manage risks – was eye-opening for both of us. For the first time, we weren’t blaming each other for our financial bumps. We were seeing the why behind them.
Faith + Finances = Freedom
What makes WalletWin truly unique is how seamlessly it integrates Catholic values into the financial journey. The book and the courses don’t just teach you how to build a budget—they invite you to think about why you budget at all. It reframes money as something sacred—not in the sense of idolizing it, but as something entrusted to us by God to serve our families, our Church, and the world.
Every chapter of the book includes Scripture, references to saints, and gentle invitations to reflect on stewardship, generosity, and even forgiveness (yes—forgiving yourself for past mistakes with money). That framework gave us something no app or spreadsheet ever had: a shared purpose. We weren’t just paying off debt or building a savings cushion. We were building a life of intentionality, freedom, and generosity—together.
Tools That Actually Work
The course gave us super practical tools—milestones to hit, worksheets for values-based budgeting, and a clear, step-by-step structure that made progress feel doable. But honestly, the best part wasn’t the tools themselves—it was what they unlocked. For the first time in nine years, my husband and I sat down together with the WalletWin Couples course, and actually enjoyed the conversation. There were some tense moments, because money can be stressful and hard to talk about, but we moved through those conversations with much more ease than in the past. We were listening, learning, and building our shared vision.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not About the Money
If you’re like we were—frustrated, confused, maybe even embarrassed about where you stand financially—WalletWin doesn’t offer a magic fix. What it does offer is a path. One grounded in faith, filled with grace, and designed to heal not just your wallet, but your heart.
Highly, highly recommended—especially if you’re doing this as a couple. You might just learn more about your marriage than you ever expected… through your budget.
WalletWin is participating with a series of businesses right now to offer free resources for Catholic Families. I think you have until October 24 to register, but if you use the Coupon Code Peace25, you can get their Couples Course (normally $79) for FREE! This is great for marriage prep or couples who have been having trouble navigating finances for a while.
DISCLAIMER: This is an honest review sharing my experience which came from my own curiosity and desire to learn more about money from a Catholic perspective. There were no financial incentives for me to recommend this resource.