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negative money mindset is when your thoughts about money are not favorable. This could mean you feel fearful, ashamed, guilty, or generally unenthusiastic about it. The reasons someone might have a negative attitude to cash can vary, but there are a few common denominators. It’s usually related to past experiences – good or bad – that have left a mark and made you cautious, anxious, or afraid of being in debt again. Negative thinking about money is not the same as being miserly with it; it’s more about how you feel about it rather than how much you have. The good news is that no matter what external factors have led you to feel this way, there are some ways to change your negative financial mindset to a positive one again.
Building a Wealth Mindset: The Ultimate Guide
Make a gratitude list.
This is a straightforward exercise that can help you to become more aware of what you do have. You could do this on paper, in a notebook, or even on your phone – whatever works for you. Write down ten things you are grateful for in terms of money – this could be a small loan from your parents to help you buy your first car, an inheritance from your grandparents, or a small amount of savings put aside for a rainy day. What you appreciate about each of these situations and how it has helped you is what is essential. The more you focus on what you have and are grateful for, the less space there is for the negative feelings and thoughts about cash to creep in. This can also be a helpful exercise if you feel like you don’t deserve to spend any money on yourself. By listing all the things you are grateful for, you can remind yourself that the money you spend is not only worth it but necessary.
Set small and achievable goals
If your money mindset is negative, you likely feel like you’re not good at managing your finances or that you’re not earning enough money. If that’s the case, one of the best things you can do is set small, achievable goals that help you build your confidence and feel like you are in control. Generally, setting goals you can reach in a month is a good idea. A month is short enough to measure your progress and know whether you have succeeded or not, but long enough to have enough time to make the changes you need to reach that goal. As well as helping you to feel more confident, setting achievable goals is a great way to help you to prioritize what you need to do and what you want to achieve financially. In addition, it can help to create structure and routine in your life and get you out of the mindset that you don’t have enough time or energy to do everything.
Develop a money ritual
The concept of a money ritual might sound a bit strange, but it is a constructive way of changing your mindset around money. It’s a way of taking something that used to be uncomfortable or harmful and turning it into something that makes you feel good and more positive. Any ritual can work, from burning a specific candle every time you get paid to saying a small prayer of gratitude when you pay bills to putting your change in a jar every time you buy something. As long as you make it a routine that you do every time you encounter money, it will become something that will help you to feel more positive about it. A money ritual can help you to feel more in control of your finances and more positive about your spending choices. It can also help you feel less stressed when it comes to paying bills or other regular payments, as you will have a plan to deal with them – and that plan will make you feel better about them.
Change what you see and hear.
If you have a negative money mindset, you may gravitate towards news stories or articles about financial matters. If this is the case, you may want to try and change the amount of media you consume – at least when it comes to money-related topics. You can do this in a few ways. You could try and watch or listen to more favorable financial content – for example, and you could try to find podcasts or newsletters that discuss money in a way you find more helpful and cheerful. You could also try and make a conscious effort to avoid certain websites, or news shows that you know put out harmful content about money – blocking specific sites on social media can be helpful if you feel like you can’t avoid them.
Talk to people who make you feel good about money.
If you know people who seem optimistic about money or have a healthy attitude towards it, you may want to try talking to them. See if they want to go for a coffee or a drink or if they are open to conversing with you online – on social media or in an online forum. Talking to people who share your financial outlook can be helpful. Not only can it help you to get some perspective, but it can also help you to feel less alone if you are feeling isolated and alone in your negative feelings towards money. If you don’t know anyone with the money mindset you want, you could try joining a money-related forum or reading blogs written by financially buoyant people. This can help you to read about different ways of thinking about money and how to change your attitude towards it. You can also try to join a money-focused meetup or a financial support group in your area if you prefer to meet people in person.
Keep a cash buffer at all times.
Keep a small amount of cash aside at all times – preferably in a separate account. This is an excellent way to help you to break the cycle of bad feelings around money and take control of any crises that may come up. A small amount of money that you don’t use regularly can be put aside for any emergency that may come up. For example, it can be used for car repairs, doctor’s bills, or fixing a broken appliance. It should be enough to take care of these unexpected expenses, but not so much that it makes you feel bad about spending them. A small cash buffer can also help you feel less stressed about paying your bills, especially those due near the end of the month.
Identify what triggers your negative feelings.
If you are experiencing many negative emotions around money, you may want to consider what triggers those feelings. For example, do the bills you have to pay to make you feel stressed? Are you worried about how you will afford to put food on the table at the end of the month? Does it make you feel anxious knowing that you have to make a large purchase you don’t have the money for? Make a list of all the money-related things that make you feel anxious, guilty, ashamed, or any other negative emotion. This can help you identify the real issue that makes you feel this way. Once you know the root of your problem, you can start tackling it. For example, if you know that you are feeling anxious about paying your bills, take some time to sit down and create a realistic budget that you can follow.
Think of the positives
So many positive things come with having a healthy attitude towards money. You will feel more empowered, and in control of your life, you will be able to make sensible spending choices, and you will be able to plan for the future. You will be able to sleep better knowing that you have a plan to pay off any debts and contribute to your retirement. You will feel more able to say no to things you can’t afford and more empowered to make the right choices. All of these things, and more, have the potential to come from having a positive money mindset. And when you have a positive financial outlook, you are more likely to attract wealth, prosperity, and opportunities into your life.
Commit to a small behavior change every day
One of the best ways to change your mindset, especially if you have a negative attitude towards money, is to make small daily changes. You can try to be more mindful of your money-related decisions and make decisions that align with the person you want to be. For example, if you want to be careful with your money, try and be more mindful of how much you spend on coffee or other small things throughout the day. This can help you avoid unnecessary purchases that you might not be able to afford in the future.
Write down your goals and the reasons why you want them.
If you are struggling with a negative money mindset, you should first write down your goals. What does your ideal financial situation look like? Then, write down a list of things you want to achieve with your money, be it a holiday, a new car, or a deposit on a house. This can help give you a positive focus on money and remind you why you want it.
Give yourself a financial hug.
If your negative money mindset is connected to past experiences, you could try to give yourself a hug to try and get rid of any fear or shame that may still be lingering around. For example, if you grew up in a household where money was very tight, you may feel nervous about ever being in debt again. A hug can help eliminate this feeling and remind you that things are different now. Consider writing down a list of things you appreciate about yourself, such as your ability to work hard or warmth and kindness. Then read this list when you feel particularly damaged about money.
Stop comparing yourself with others.
Many people get caught up in comparison with others; whether it’s those who are wealthy or those who earn more than us or have more expensive things than us – there’s always someone else out there who has “more.” We should not compare ourselves with others because this will only cause unhappiness and stress within ourselves, which will harm our relationship with money. After all, we will not feel good enough as individuals because of our relationship with money. We must realize that money is not everything and that we should be happy with what we have, even if it’s not much.
Final Thoughts on How Do I Change My Negative Money Mindset?
Negativity can have a lot of negative impacts on your financial situation. With a negative money mindset, you’re more likely to have less money and less financial security than people who think positively about money. You might be more likely to spend more than you should, making decisions based on fear rather than on what would make you the most money. You might also fall into debt because you spend or borrow money. All of this can have a significant impact on your future financial situation. When you have a negative money mindset, it’s essential to take steps to change that. The good news is that there are many ways you can change your mood and make sure your money stays in your wallet. If you feel stuck, try one of these strategies now. They’ll help you improve your financial situation and save money.
Do you want to learn more about “How Do I Change My Negative Money Mindset?” 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.