How to Change Your Mindset About Money

How to Change Your Mindset About Money

Your mindset about money determines your financial future.

In the past, I never thought I had a problem with money, so I never took the time to study it.

I didn’t think I needed to.

This was an ignorant stance regarding money.

Unfortunately, the ignorant stance I held is all too common among others.

If you want to change what you’re seeing when you log into your bank account, you have to be intentional in learning about money and finances.

So, let’s talk about how to change your mindset about money.

Change Your Fixed Negative Mindset About Money

This section comes first, because without it, the sections that follow won’t mean much.

So many people stay stuck in an “I’m always broke” mentality because of their mindset about money.

They think they were dealt a hand of cards and that’s it.

Some people are born lucky and end up making a lot of money, and others barely get by.

Case closed. Right…?

Actually, wrong.

Because external circumstances don’t determine your financial future.

Oprah came from poverty. What would have become of her had she said, “Well, these are just the cards I was dealt. I’ll always be in poverty”?

The amount of money to your name has 99.9% to do with your mindset and .01% to do with your circumstances.

Also, money is neutral.

Log into your bank account. What’s your response to the amount in the bank?

The goal is to train your brain to see money as neutral and that it means absolutely nothing about you.

Also, you can always make more money.

When you switch over into an abundance mindset about money, you’ll realize there is more than enough money for everyone.

And you have the capacity to make more money. Always.

Trade Your Money for Value

We exchange money for what we deem of value to us.

I didn’t have a problem spending my money to buy a program I took earlier this year called Online Business for Her.

This is because the value of learning how to create a successful online business to me is priceless. It’s my #1 goal and my dream.

I knew the quality of the program creator’s work and I knew she would not disappoint. So, I had no problem shelling out for her program. And I wasn’t disappointed.

I also value learning, growing, and personal development overall. So, I have no problem purchasing books in this niche or buying tickets to events (back when events were still a thing, since I’m writing this article in 2020).

On another note, I very rarely pick up Starbucks, fast food, or carryout. My husband and I are both in a place where going out to eat is usually reserved for special occasions.

It’s not because we don’t have the money or even because of COVID-we just don’t see spending money on going out to eat as value for our dollars.

When we were first together, we went out to eat a lot more often. Now when we go, it’s more special, since we don’t do it as much.

And we’re saving a ton of money that can be used instead on things that are more valuable to us.

For example, we’re currently building a deck in our back yard, which adds value to our home. We are buying outdoor furniture and mounting a TV on the wall.

Our deck will be used on a near-daily basis once it’s complete. The money we are investing into our deck is a trade-off for something that will bring extreme value to our lives.

What I’m getting at is to make sure you’re trading your money for value. What constitutes as valuable is up to your discretion.

But I say this because it’s so common for someone to say “I can’t afford that,” and you can always discern where someone’s values lie in that statement.

A lot of people who want to get into online business might look at the sales page for Online Business for Her (the program I took earlier this year) and say, “I can’t afford that.”

But then, they are spending a good chunk of their money on going out to eat or something else.

Let’s say someone who wants to start an online business looks at the sales page for Online Business for Her and says, “I can’t afford that.” They probably don’t value the program and the opportunity to learn how to start an online business. They’re not “all in” on it.

But they do value going out to eat (or whatever it is they are spending their money on).

Yes, sometimes price tags can legitimately keep us from something-but in many cases, you’ll find a way to get what you want.

Cutting back spending in your budget on things that aren’t of value to you is always an option. Or selling items you don’t need, that no longer bring you value.

This kind of intentional spending-on things that bring you value-will allow you to see money as working for you, and not just a means of survival.

Learn About Money

Read books about money.

Listen to podcasts about money.

Attend live events about money.

This is so important.

Earlier this year I read Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach and I cannot recommend it enough.

I always thought I had a decent amount of knowledge regarding money and I realized there was so much I was in the dark about.

Women in particular tend to not learn about finances because in many cases, their spouse takes care of all that. I’ll chime in on this topic later.

Take the time to learn about money. Spending money. Creating money. 401 k’s and investing. All of it.

Prior to reading Smart Women Finish Rich, my relationship with money was okay, but I was still somewhat ignorant. I have a 401 k and no debt.

My biggest takeaway from this book was that you don’t have to be a millionaire to retire as one. Starting a 401 k early, contributing as much as possible, and only spending money on what brings you value are a few keys to retiring rich.

Get on the Same Page as Your Significant Other Regarding Money

According to marketwatch.com, 41% of Gen-X divorces were caused by money. This article goes on to say that disagreements regarding money early in a relationship is the #1 sign the marriage isn’t going to work out.

So, getting on the same page as your significant other regarding finances is pretty damn important.

If you’re in a newer relationship, this is a very important topic to discuss when you have “the talk” about expectations for the future.

You have got to be on the same page as your significant other if you want to set yourself up for success in your relationship.

And transparency about finances is everything.

When I was a child, my aunt was engaged to someone who dropped a bombshell on her about two weeks before the wedding: He had massive credit card debt. She broke off the wedding and dodged a major bullet.

Resource: How to Create A Healthy Relationship