Seven Money Mistakes Creatives Make: An Interview with Christine Luken

By Carol Phillips, BeauteeSmarts Global
Part of BeauteeSmarts’ Financial Wellness Series

As beauty professionals and creatives, you pour your heart into your craft—whether it’s styling, artistry, or building your brand. But managing money? That can feel like a whole different challenge. In our Financial Wellness Series, I’m thrilled to sit down with Christine Luken, the Financial Dignity Coach, to explore the financial challenges creatives face and how to overcome them. Christine shared her top seven money mistakes creatives make, along with practical fixes to help you thrive. Join us for her Financial Wellness Webinar Series to dive deeper, and read on for her expert advice.

1. Waiting Until You Have More Money to Manage It

Carol: Christine, I hear from so many beauty pros who say they’ll focus on finances once they’re earning more. Why is this a problem?

Christine: It’s one of the biggest money mistakes creatives make, Carol, is waiting for a bigger paycheck, which only amplifies the chaos when more money arrives. Managing what you have now builds the habits to grow your wealth. Learn where you are right now – learn to manage the Franklins now, and it helps prevent errors with thousands.

How to Fix It: Start today, no matter your income. Create a simple spending plan to track revenue and expenses. Open separate accounts for your business or projects, and review them weekly to ensure clarity.

Financial Wellness Tip: Join Christine in our Financial Wellness Webinar to learn budgeting basics tailored for creatives.
Pro Tip: Christine recommends tools like Monarch Money to simplify tracking.  Follow the link for a 50% off private discount from Christine.

2. Not Having a System to Track Your Money

Carol: What’s another common financial stumble for creatives?

Christine: Flying blind—no budget, no tracking, no idea where money goes—is a recipe for stress. The “hope and vibe” approach isn’t a strategy. It’s a classic money mistake creatives make.

How to Fix It: Download your last three bank statements. Print them out so you can see where your money is going. It’s easier to see it on a letterhead-sized piece of paper than scrolling on your phone.  Choose a tracking tool that suits your style, such as YNAB, EveryDollar, or a spreadsheet. Track income, expenses, and savings goals to align spending with your values.

Financial Wellness Tip: Discover Christine’s favorite budgeting tools in our Financial Wellness Webinar.
Quick Start: Christine suggests spending 10 minutes weekly reviewing transactions.

3. Undervaluing Your Skills and Art

Carol: I know many beauty pros struggle to charge what they’re worth. Why does this happen, and how can they fix it?

Christine: Undercharging or giving too much for free is a painful money mistake for creatives, Carol. If you don’t value your talent, others won’t either, which limits your income and sustainability. Shift your mindset: your creativity deserves fair pay. Research industry rates, consult with peers, and set prices that reflect your experience and impact. Define what you need to make per hour to support your lifestyle.

How to Fix It: Review your pricing and consider raising it by at least the standard cost of living if it seems too low. Test the response and stand firm in your worth.

Financial Wellness Tip: Get Christine’s pricing strategies in our Financial Wellness Webinar.
Action Step: Christine urges you to review your rates this week.

4. Focusing More on Your Credit Score Than Your Net Worth

Carol: Christine, some creatives obsess over their credit score. Is that the proper focus?

Christine: A good credit score is helpful, but focusing on it over your net worth—your assets minus debts—is a mistake. A high score with no savings and heavy debt isn’t progress. Net worth measures real wealth.

How to Fix It: Pay down high-interest debt, save consistently, and invest when possible. Even saving $100 monthly adds up. (which by the way is only $3.33 a day)

Financial Wellness Tip: Learn why net worth matters in our Financial Wellness Webinar. rebates
Resource: Christine points to this Investopedia guide for more on net worth.

5. Not Making Investing for Retirement a Priority

Carol: Retirement can feel far off for beauty pros with unpredictable income. Why should they prioritize it now?

Christine: Delaying retirement planning is a costly money mistake creatives make. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to build a secure future. Start small—open an IRA or Solo 401(k) if self-employed, and set up automatic contributions, even $30 a month ( a dollar a day), to leverage compound interest.

How to Fix It: Explore retirement accounts at Vanguard or Fidelity and start contributing today.

Financial Wellness Tip: Christine shares retirement tips for creatives in our Financial Wellness Webinar.
Next Step: Set up a small automatic transfer to a retirement account this month.

6. Trying to Go It Alone

Carol: Many creatives take pride in their independence. How does that impact their finances?

Christine: Tackling finances solo can keep you stuck, Carol. Thinking you must figure it all out alone is a sneaky money mistake creatives make. Seek support—a financial coach, accountant, or money-savvy friend can transform your financial story without sacrificing control.

How to Fix It: Book a consultation with a coach like me or connect with a trusted advisor to get started.

Financial Wellness Tip: Learn how to build your financial team in our Financial Wellness Webinar.
Get Started: Christine offers free consultations at christineluken.com.

7. Letting Money Stress Run Your Life

Carol: Christine, I’ve seen money stress weigh heavily on beauty pros. How does it affect their lives, and what can they do about it?

Christine: Money stress is a silent money mistake creatives make, Carol. It saps your energy, clouds your creativity, and strains relationships. Constant worry about bills or unpredictable income can lead to burnout or even health issues. The emotional toll is real, but it’s fixable when you address the root causes.

How to Fix It: Take small steps to reduce financial uncertainty. Build an emergency fund, even $500, to ease anxiety. Practice mindful planning to feel in control. And don’t shy away from addressing the emotional side—journal about your money fears or consider speaking with a coach to shift your mindset.

Financial Wellness Tip: Christine will share stress-busting financial strategies in our Financial Wellness Webinar.
Action Step: Christine suggests setting aside $25 this week to start building an emergency fund and feeling more secure.

Your Path to Financial Wellness

Christine’s insights are a game-changer for creatives and beauty professionals looking to take control of their personal finances. BeauteeSmarts’ Financial Wellness Series is here to empower you with expert advice like this. Don’t miss Christine’s Financial Wellness Webinar to dig deeper into these strategies. Your craft and your future deserve a solid financial foundation.

About the Expert: Christine Luken, the Financial Dignity® Coach, has nearly two decades of experience helping thousands increase their net worth and pay off debt. Listen to her podcast, Money is Emotional, for more wisdom.

About the Author: Carol Phillips, Founder & Publisher of BeauteeSmarts Global™, is a keynote speaker and beauty industry educator dedicated to empowering professionals through platforms like the BeauteeSmarts Success Academy™.

Ready to transform your money story? Register for the Financial Wellness Webinar, contact Christine for coaching, or explore her resources today.