Ina Coveney
Christine Luken is a financial dignity coach who is a four-time author of money books designed to help you become more confident and also learn how to keep your money. And we’re here to talk to her about her latest book, Provider Money.

Christine Luken
Actually, it’s Pleasure Money. But thank you so much for having me here. I am so excited to be here in person.

Ina Coveney
Pleasure Money! That’s right. I’m thrilled to have you here. I know we met years ago in a program we were taking together, and I’ve been in awe of everything you’ve done since then. You’ve grown so much, and it’s been incredible to watch. I’m genuinely excited to talk to you about your work. Before we dive in, can you tell everyone what you’re doing right now and who you help?

Christine Luken
Sure! Right now, I primarily do financial coaching for high-earning couples and individuals. These are people who are fantastic at earning money but not so great at keeping or managing it.

Ina Coveney
High-income hot messes, you called them?

Christine Luken
Exactly! I lovingly refer to them as high-income hot messes. They’re busy, they have lots of moving parts in their lives, and they need someone to help them get organized, dig through the details, and ensure their money is supporting their happiness. Because let’s face it—they’re making way too much money to just be treading water. They want to make real progress.

Ina Coveney
That’s so relatable. I understand that your own story was similar in some ways. You didn’t wake up one day and decide to be a money coach—you were working for the family business, right?

Christine Luken
That’s right. I started out in the family business, where I was vice president of HR and accounting. I was also part-owner, the only female partner. I’d been there for 13 years and had essentially reached the top of the ladder. For a lot of people, that would’ve been enough—they’d be happy with six-figure earnings and ownership payouts. But for me, I’m a Capricorn through and through. I’m always looking for the next challenge, the next achievement.

Ina Coveney
What made you decide to leave such a stable position?

Christine Luken
I didn’t feel challenged anymore. I needed something new. But I didn’t choose financial coaching randomly—it came from my personal experiences. If we rewind a bit, I actually hit financial rock bottom in my mid-20s, despite having an accounting degree and working in the family business.

Ina Coveney
Wow. What happened?

Christine Luken
At the time, I was in a relationship with someone I’ll call Jeff, to protect the not-so-innocent. He wasn’t great with money, was in and out of jobs—and even jail. I thought that if I just loved him enough, he’d change. Instead, he got worse. He emotionally manipulated me, and I ended up in a financial mess.

Ina Coveney
That must have been so difficult.

Christine Luken
It was. There was a lot of shame and embarrassment because I felt like I should’ve known better. I’d worked for banks, I had an accounting degree, but I let my heart override my head. By 26, I was in a hole financially. My credit score was terrible—I was afraid to even check it. Debt collectors were calling, and the bank was threatening to repossess my car. I knew I had to leave the relationship, but I didn’t have the money to do it.

Ina Coveney
What did you do?

Christine Luken
I swallowed my pride and went to my dad for help. I told him, “I’ve completely messed this up.” He agreed to help, but he didn’t bail me out or lend me money. Instead, he offered me a safe place to regroup and helped me create a plan. He was very practical and supportive.

Ina Coveney
That sounds like a pivotal moment.

Christine Luken
It was. In just a few months, I saved up for a new apartment and started rebuilding my finances. Leaving that relationship was the first step. Once I had a plan and started working on it, I noticed something amazing: I wasn’t stressed about money anymore. Even though I wasn’t completely out of the hole, I felt relief because I was in control again.

Ina Coveney
How did that experience lead to financial coaching?

Christine Luken
It opened my eyes to how much stress money causes—and how most of it isn’t about the numbers but the emotions tied to them. At the time, I didn’t know how I could help others with this, but when my church introduced Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, I got involved. I facilitated classes for over a decade and eventually became certified as a financial counselor. That’s when I started helping people one-on-one, and I realized I loved it.

Ina Coveney
It’s incredible how your personal struggles became your passion. What advice do you have for people who are stuck in financially toxic relationships?

Christine Luken
First, seek outside help. It’s hard to see things clearly when you’re in the middle of it. And if you’re enabling your partner—like being their “money mom” or taking on responsibilities they should handle—you need to address that. Counseling helped me recognize those patterns and break free from them.

Ina Coveney
You’ve mentioned the emotional side of money. Can you expand on that?

Christine Luken
Absolutely. Our relationship with money is shaped by what we learned growing up—things we heard from our parents or experienced as children. Those beliefs stay with us, often unconsciously. The first step is to become aware of the stories you’re telling yourself about money and how they’re impacting your behavior.

Ina Coveney
That’s so powerful. Can you tell us more about your new book, Pleasure Money?

Christine Luken
Sure! It’s about the energetics of money. I compare it to a trapeze—you need both the swing (pleasure) and the safety net (security). A strong safety net—like savings and financial organization—lets you enjoy the swing without fear. The goal is to balance enjoying your money while building financial stability.

Ina Coveney
That’s such a great analogy. Before we wrap up, what’s one thing everyone listening should do in the next 24 hours to improve their finances?

Christine Luken
Automate your savings. Set up a transfer from your checking account to savings—whether it’s $10 or $500. Set it and forget it. It’s an easy, effective way to start building a safety net.

Ina Coveney
I love that. Where can people find you and learn more about your work?

Christine Luken
You can find me at ChristineLuken.com. I’m also active on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. On my website, you’ll find links to my books and the Wealthy Woman Book Club.

Ina Coveney
Thank you so much for sharing your story and wisdom, Christine. I know this will resonate with so many people.

Christine Luken
Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure to be here.

Ina Coveney
And to everyone listening, don’t forget to subscribe to the Superhumans Podcast so you don’t miss any episodes. See you next time!