Money Unmasked

About the Author

Garrett Gunderson, a financial advocate, educator, and author, is a thought leader in the field of personal finance and wealth building. Born into a family with a scarcity mindset, Garrett worked tirelessly to break free from the limiting beliefs surrounding money that he inherited. His journey from a coal miner’s lineage to becoming a financial expert and the founder of Wealth Factory is a testament to his dedication and innovative approach to finance.

Garrett’s mission is to help individuals understand the dynamics of money, unlearn outdated financial principles, and embrace a mindset of abundance. Through his books, workshops, and speaking engagements, he inspires people to reclaim control over their finances and, consequently, their lives.

Main Idea

Money Unmasked: Unlearn, Unlock, and Take Back Control of Your Finances and Life challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding money management. Garrett Gunderson encourages readers to abandon the scarcity mindset and adopt a philosophy of abundance and value creation. The book is structured around uncovering one’s Money Persona, shifting from a scarcity mindset to a cycle of creation, and leveraging hidden mental and relationship capital to achieve financial independence and live a fulfilling life.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Chapter 1: What’s Your Number?
3. Chapter 2: Win, Then Play
4. Chapter 3: The Losing Games
5. Chapter 4: The Flip
6. Chapter 5: Unlock Hidden Capital
7. Chapter 6: The Cycle of Creation
8. Chapter 7: Reclaim Time
9. Chapter 8: Reclaim Cash
10. Chapter 9: The Love Movement
11. Conclusion: An Extraordinary Life

Introduction

Garrett Gunderson introduces himself as a coal miner’s son, born into a lineage that lived with a scarcity mindset. He shares his early experiences of pinching pennies and hoarding money, driven by the fear of scarcity. This mindset, he explains, is an epidemic that fuels competition, fear, and entitlement, ultimately destroying wealth and limiting potential. By challenging and dropping the myths he had lived by, Garrett embarked on a journey to redefine his relationship with money.

“The belief that resources are limited means everything is a win-lose transaction rooted in competition, fear, destruction, and even entitlement.” - Garrett Gunderson

Chapter 1: What’s Your Number?

In this chapter, Garrett introduces the concept of the Value Index, a personal financial threshold at which one begins to focus on value creation for others rather than personal consumption. He encourages readers to imagine receiving increasing amounts of money and to note the point at which their mindset shifts from self-centered to value-driven thinking.

This exercise is designed to help readers identify their own Value Index, which Garrett believes is the key to unlocking a mindset of abundance and possibility. By focusing on value first, individuals can expand their vision and create a meaningful impact.

“When we put value first, we can expand our vision. Vision is the ultimate container to create value. It creates context and determines actions.” - Garrett Gunderson

To illustrate, Garrett provides a step-by-step exercise:

• Imagine receiving $10 every month for life. What would you do with it?
• Now, imagine $100 every month. How would your actions change?
• Continue adding zeros: $1,000, $10,000, and so on. At what point do you start thinking about value creation for others?

This reflection helps pinpoint the Value Index, where the focus shifts from personal gain to broader impact.