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The Stronger Way to Say No With Money #financialboundaries #addictionhelp #addictionrecovery

25 Apr 2026 · 1 min

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In this segment, Amber Hollingsworth emphasizes the importance of clear financial boundaries by advising viewers to stop using the phrase “I can’t” when they actually mean “I won’t.” She explains that saying “I can’t afford to keep helping you” can be misleading and may expose the truth to the other person. Instead, she recommends decisive language such as “I’ve decided I’m not doing that anymore” or setting a specific comfort limit, e.g., “I’m only comfortable with $X.” This approach closes the conversation, asserts personal limits, and removes the need for the other person’s approval, reinforcing autonomy in financial decisions.

Chapters

Another thing I want to tell you about money boundaries, this one's really important, is stop saying I can't when you really mean I won't. For example, I can't afford to keep helping you. It may or may not be true, and the person is going to know it. Steer clear of saying I can't when you really mean I won't. You can just say, I've decided I'm not doing that anymore. It closes the conversation. Or you can say, I've decided I'm only comfortable with X amount. Like, it doesn't even have to be I will or I won't. It can be, here's a limit where I'm comfortable for it because it's your decision, and those decisions don't require the other person's approval.