How to fix a bad money mindset

Over the past few years, there has been a huge surge in support towards body positivity and we are absolutely here for it! We’re all realising how damaging it can be when we talk to ourselves in such a negative, mean way about our bodies. We would NEVER talk to our friends the way we sometimes talk to ourselves…

But what about the way we think and talk about money? We all need to get behind the money positivity movement.

Firstly, we know that the number on a scale, or the size of our jeans has absolutely no correlation with our self-worth. And the same goes for money. Your net worth is not your self-worth. SAY IT AGAIN FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK!

Secondly, how many times have you said (in your head, or even to a friend) “OMG, I’m just so shit with money, I am THE worst”? How many times have you looked in your bank account and shamed yourself for the number staring back at you? How many times have you felt like a failure for dipping back into savings or ending back up in your overdraft?

All of these scenarios are linked to our mindset and having a positive money mindset is absolutely the place to start when you want to work towards financial freedom.

We all have an emotional connection to money, whether we are aware of it or not. But we have to imagine our relationship with money is like an actual real-life relationship.

You be kind to each other, keep the promises you make, show it love, feel comfortable and happy to have them around without becoming obsessed with them – you want it to be healthy and thriving. Because in 2022 there is no time for toxic relationships. AM I RIGHT?!

Now don’t get me wrong, it is still super important to know and understand the tools that help us with our money like:

• Different methods for clearing debt
• How to create a budget & save money
• Ways to invest and prepare for retirement

But without a positive money mindset in place first and foremost, those tools will not help you or be as effective. You will just end up:

• Not sticking to the debt management plan
• Dipping back into your savings
• Forgetting about investing even though you have opened an account

You could build the fanciest, most expensive and boujee house with the coolest gadgets. But if you started building it on top of a pile of mud, the house is pretty quickly going to fall apart. Why? Because the foundation is not solid enough to build on.

Your mindset is the foundation. You are setting yourself up for a loss if you don’t work on your mindset! The language we use when talking about money and our personal finances will have a huge impact on the way we handle money.

What we need to remember is that our thoughts become our words, our words become our actions, and our actions become our reality (our thoughts = our reality).

And that is why having a positive money mindset is SO important.

Here are a few tips on how to get started with improving your money mindset:

1. Get honest with yourself

Time to get real. Journaling is always an amazing way to dig deeper into your money mindset. Grab a pen and paper, and ask yourself questions such as:

• Do I feel comfortable talking about money?
• What thoughts & feelings do I have when I think about money?
• How do I feel when I save my money?
• How do I feel when I spend my money?
• What do I think is stopping me clearing debt/saving/investing etc?

No one is going to look at what you write down or judge you for it, so be completely open and honest. And know that beliefs can be changed!

Whatever your current thoughts and feelings towards money are, know that it is within your power to change those thought patterns! The way you think now is not set in stone.

2. Be kind to yourself

Do not shame yourself for being in debt, or for wishing you had more in savings, or for never sticking to a budget.

Remind yourself that you are only human, you are doing the best you can with what you have got and you owe it to yourself (and future you) to change your mindset towards money so that you can attract more of it!

The best thing you can do is what you are doing now! Reading up and educating yourself on ways to help you improve your mindset.

THE ONLY WAY IS UP, BABY!

3. Remove the negative self-talk

If you say things like “I can’t save” or “I am bad with money” or “I am always so broke’”… then let me tell you, you ARE going to be those things. Because our thoughts = our reality.

So, the best place to start is to stop saying those things about you and your relationship with money. Instead, use positive affirmations and visualisations around money. Call it MONEY-festing (instead of manifesting… get it haha).

Tell yourself you ARE good with money, you ARE responsible with your finances, you CAN get out of debt, you WILL learn how to stick to a budget, and you CAN save.

It is the easiest place to start because changing your mindset costs you absolutely nothing. And who doesn’t love free stuff?

Remember, you get to create your reality.

As an adult, we are in charge of A LOT of things and sometimes it can seem overwhelming. Especially when it comes to money.

You probably can’t help but think “CORRR another thing to add to the ever-growing list, on top of keeping up with my fitness, my social life, drinking water, maintaining self-care“ and now you have to work on your money mindset. But let me tell you, it will change the way you handle money.

You will go from feeling stuck in your current position to realising that you have the power and control to get out of debt, save money, and make money and that will give you the freedom to live life on your terms.

It is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself.