M
oney is neutral. It doesn’t care about your race, gender, age, zip code, or anything else—except how you feel about it. How you think about money can either keep you from getting it or help you get more. Your relationship with money results from beliefs often learned at a young age and reinforced over time. If your parents struggled financially or constantly worried about money, it’s no wonder you might have negative associations with money that limit your ability to build wealth. On the other hand, if your parents modeled intelligent and responsible financial habits, you have an excellent foundation for a positive relationship with money as an adult. Take these steps to make a positive mindset toward money:
Building a Wealth Mindset: The Ultimate Guide
Jump-start your positivity
If you’re feeling down about money, you may need to jump-start your positivity. Start by brainstorming aspects of money that you like. Some possibilities include: Making a difference in the world, Having the freedom to pursue your passions and dreams, Gaining control over your life, Helping others, and Having peace of mind about the future. The possibilities are endless. Once you have a few positive associations, use them to jump-start your positivity. You can also take a few deep breaths, meditation, or even go outside to get some fresh air to help you start your day feeling positive.
Celebrate the money you DO have
Negative associations with money can be triggered by fear—fear that it might run out, that you might not have enough, or that you’re not good enough to get it. This fear can limit your ability to make money, as well as keep you from enjoying the money you do have. When you’re pessimistic about money, try to shift your focus to the money you have. Think about how you got that money—the jobs you’ve done, the education you’ve invested in, the skills you’ve honed, or the people you’ve helped. Then, think about the satisfaction you experience in each of those situations. Money is a place where gratitude works exceptionally well because you don’t have to wait to be paid to feel grateful. Feeling gratitude for the money you do have can help you move past feelings of negativity.
Learn your money values
When you feel optimistic about money, it’s even easier to make intelligent financial decisions. When you think negatively, it’s easy to make unwise choices. Your economic values can help you decide which economic decisions are best for you. If you don’t know your values, take some time to think about what you want money to do for you. Some typical values include: Financial Independence – Having enough money to cover your expenses without needing to work outside the home.
Financial Security: Ensuring you have enough money to cover unexpected expenses.
Financial Opportunity: Having enough money to pursue your passions and interests. Financial Independence may be a top value for you, but if you don’t know what opportunities exist to help you achieve it, you may feel frustrated and stuck. Learning your values can help you make better decisions when it comes to money.
Cultivate a growth mindset
If you have a fixed mindset about money, you believe your current amount is all you’ll ever have. If you have a growth mindset, you know that you can always learn new financial skills and strategies to increase your income and put yourself in a better position to make more money. Money is like any other skill—if you want to improve, you must practice. Start by determining what you’d like to excel at, and then make a plan to get there. It may be as simple as reading a book about money management or enrolling in a class to boost your financial knowledge. Or it may be as complex as starting a side hustle or making a career change to a higher-paying job.
Reward yourself
Feeling down about your finances may make it easy to fall into a negative mindset. One way to stay positive is to reward yourself for every financial goal you meet. Some financial goals may include: Saving a certain amount of money each month, paying off a particular debt, or putting money into a retirement account. It’s easy to feel like you’re swimming upstream regarding cash. It can be easy to get stuck in a rut and feel like you’re never making any progress. But if you follow these tips and tap into the power of positive thinking, you can stay on track and make your money dreams come true.
Make a positive mindset toward money your priority. Start today.
It’s never too late to shift your relationship with money and make a positive mindset toward money a priority in your life. Taking a few minutes each day to reflect on the positive aspects of money, reading a book or article about finances, or talking with a friend about the benefits of cash can help make money a positive force in your life. The more you practice these techniques, the easier it will be for you to stay optimistic about money.
Check your money mindset.
To start making a positive mindset toward money, begin by assessing your current money mindset. Do you believe you can make more money? Do you think you deserve to make more money? You can’t change a belief you aren’t aware of having. So start by identifying some of your current beliefs around money. You may have multiple views, and you may even have contradictory beliefs. For example, you may believe you deserve a higher income, but you may also feel you’re not worth as much because you don’t have a college degree.
Self-care before you care about money
Your relationship with money depends on your relationship with yourself. If you don’t care for yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually, you’ll be a crummy friend to money. You must take care of yourself first to be the best version of yourself and take care of your money. Start by eating right, getting enough sleep, and practicing self-care regularly. These practices will help you feel good mentally, physically, and emotionally, making it easier to focus on your money.
Cultivate gratitude and abundance
Money doesn’t grow on trees, but positive money habits do. It’s possible to increase your income and cultivate an abundance mindset by practicing gratitude for what you have. The more grateful you are for what you have, the more you will have. Gratefulness is a powerful tool for gaining wealth because it opens the door for positive changes in your life. Focus on the things you have, not the things you don’t have. Celebrate every dollar you earn and every dollar you save. The more grateful you are for your money, the more money you’ll have.
Build a healthy relationship with material objects
An unhealthy relationship with material objects can turn even the most frugal person into a shopaholic. A healthy relationship with material things means you can appreciate a pretty purse or a fancy pair of shoes without thinking you need to buy them immediately. If you find yourself lusting after a new handbag or pair of shoes every time you walk into a store, you’re more likely to make impulsive purchases you don’t need, which can put a big dent in your budget. To build a healthy relationship with material objects, start by limiting your amount of stuff. The fewer things you have, the less you’ll have to clean, organize, repair, and insure.
Take care of yourself physically and emotionally.
You need to take care of yourself physically so you’re in the best possible shape to earn money and care for yourself financially. You also need to take care of yourself emotionally because your emotions directly impact your financial situation. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed, you’re probably not at your best, mentally or financially. Take care of yourself physically and emotionally by eating right, getting enough rest, exercising, and surrounding yourself with supportive people. Making a positive mindset toward money is the first step to generating more income and taking control of your financial future. These practices will help you make a positive mindset toward money and cultivate the habits that will help you earn more.
Be aware of your money beliefs.
Money is often said to be energy, which is valid on many levels. If you have a lot of negative associations with money, it’s like having constant low-grade anxiety about your finances. You may be more likely to make decisions (or not make decisions) based on your stress, which can hurt your life. If you don’t know where your money beliefs come from, you may not have the opportunity to examine them and decide whether they are serving you. Write down the top five money beliefs you grew up with. For example, your parents may have taught you that you don’t need to attend college because plenty of good-paying blue-collar work is available. But these beliefs can be unhelpful if they’re not valid anymore.
Be grateful for the money you have.
The more you appreciate your money, the more you’ll be motivated to earn more. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, try creating a gratitude list of how money has enriched your life. Start paying attention to the many ways money helps you every day. Recognizing the importance of cash and feeling grateful for your financial well-being can help cultivate a positive mindset toward currency. Next, create an appreciation jar to help you reflect on how money has benefited your life. Whenever you come across something you appreciate, please put it in the pot. When the jar is full, reflect on how much you have in your life that you take for granted daily.
Use affirmations to change your beliefs.
Changing your beliefs is a psychological process, but you can use simple techniques to help speed the process along. Affirmations are positive statements you make to help transform your thoughts. You can use affirmations to help you cultivate a positive mindset toward money. Here are a few examples: I am confident about my future finances. I am grateful for the financial abundance in my life. I have the skills, knowledge, and resources I need to achieve my financial goals. I am responsible for taking care of myself financially. I am making positive money choices that reflect my values and priorities. As a result, I can achieve my financial goals and live a life I love.
Commit to being more mindful about your spending.
As you cultivate a positive mindset toward money, be more mindful about your spending habits. Ask yourself if each purchase you make is worth it. Avoid making impulsive or unplanned purchases. Keep track of your spending and set financial goals. Take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Physical and emotional health are essential factors in making a positive mindset toward money. Lack of sleep and unhealthy eating or drinking habits can make it difficult to focus and make sound financial decisions. Make sure you get enough sleep and eat healthy food to have the energy and mental clarity to make the most of your finances. Get support and encouragement from friends and family members who can help you stay on track with your financial goals and make intelligent financial decisions.
Final Thoughts on How Can I Make a Positive Mindset for Money?
Money is energy, and it flows like water. The amount of money in your bank account determines how much water you have to use in your life. The more water in your life, the more of it you will have flowing in the direction of your dreams. A positive mindset toward money won’t magically make money appear in your bank account, but it can help you make the most of your money. Making a positive relationship with money isn’t easy, but it’s worth the effort to increase your financial happiness as you move toward your financial goals.
Do you want to learn more about “How Can I Make a Positive Mindset for Money?” Check out Building a Wealth Mindset: The Ultimate Guide.
Also, check out the Best Books on Personal Finance.

James is the editor-in-chief at wealthmindsetschool.com. James is a workaholic and an entrepreneur who has been in the tech industry for over ten years. He has worked with Microsoft, owns multiple websites, and now owns a mattress shop. Furthermore, when he has time left over, he will be in his woodworking shop building furniture as a side hustle. James has a B.S. in Business Management Information Systems and a Master’s in Business Administration from Liberty University. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Executive Leadership, and once he completes that, he will pursue his Ph.D. in Business Administration – Entrepreneurship. James also seeks investment opportunities, putting his money to work instead of himself. James is an active believer that wealth begins with developing a wealth mindset. He now teaches, instructs, and helps others achieve that goal.