Have you ever wondered why some people seem to succeed with money while others keep struggling? The answer often comes down to one simple thing: how they think about money.

What you believe about money, about yourself, and about the world affects the way your life turns out. Each day, you make choices that either help you move forward financially or hold you back. The decision is always in your hands.

You may have heard me talk about some key money habits—like making a budget every month, spending less than you earn, and not using debt to buy things. But even those smart ideas will not help you unless you believe it’s possible to live that way. And if you do not feel motivated, it will be tough to stick to any plan. Too many people keep putting off their financial goals, thinking someday they’ll figure it all out or hoping things will just fall into place later. Some even believe that financial success is only for “rich people.”

If that sounds like you, it’s time to shift your thinking. Your parents cannot do it for you. Your spouse cannot do it for you. And as much as I’d love to, I cannot do it for you either. But here’s the good news—you can do it yourself.

What Is a Money Mindset?

Your money mindset is how you think and feel about money. It includes your beliefs, your habits, and your attitude when it comes to things like spending, saving, giving, and investing.

People with a strong and healthy money mindset usually believe things like:

• I have the freedom to spend, but I can also say no when needed.
  
• I enjoy giving to others who need help.
  
• I do not need to compare my financial life to anyone else’s.
  
• Reaching my financial goals is possible.
  

Your mindset affects your views on debt, how you treat people who earn more or less than you, how freely you give, and how confident you are when making money decisions.

How Is Your Money Mindset Shaped?

Your mindset around money is shaped by many things, including your life experiences and the way you grew up. For example, did you work a part-time job in high school? Did someone ever show you generosity? Did your parents talk openly about money, or avoid the topic altogether?

Think about that last question for a minute. Now, not everything in your life is your parents’ fault (yes, read that again), but we often pick up habits from the people around us without even realizing it. So, the way your parents handled money—or didn’t—definitely influenced how you see money today.

How to Shift the Way You Think About Money

I remember the moment I noticed my mindset had changed. I was fifteen when my parents helped me open my first checking account, and I had to start budgeting. I did not enjoy it at first. I hated planning where my money would go a month in advance. I especially hated saying no to things I wanted to buy. (I’ve always loved spending money—even as a kid!)

But over time, I realized I was actually pretty good at planning where my money should go. And if I stayed within the budget, I could still buy the things I wanted. Later on, during our marriage, my husband Winston planned a dream trip to Miami. He told me not to worry about the money—just enjoy it. Sounds amazing, right?

But something strange happened. I didn’t enjoy it the way I thought I would. I actually felt uneasy not knowing how much we had to spend. I asked Winston to show me the budget because knowing the limit helped me relax and enjoy myself.

That was when it really hit me—after years of budgeting, my entire money mindset had changed. I no longer saw a budget as something that held me back. I saw it as something that gave me freedom.

Now, I understand not everyone works the same way, and doing a monthly budget might not be what transforms your mindset. But even if it’s not what shifts your thinking, it’s still necessary. A budget is key to staying on track with your money.

Ways to Change the Way You Think About Money

Here are some helpful steps you can take to begin changing your money mindset:

1. Read books that challenge and grow your thinking.

A leadership speaker named Charles Jones once said, “You’ll be the same person a year from now except for the people you meet and the books you read.” Books can help you look at things differently and give you new ideas. Here are a few books I recommend:

• The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
  
• Switch On Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf
  
• Love Your Life, Not Theirs by me, Rachel Cruze
  
• The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
  
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
  

2. Reflect on your past.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What did I learn about money while growing up?
  
• What’s one money habit from my parents that I want to keep?
  
• What’s one money habit from my parents that I want to avoid?
  

Write your answers down in a journal. Then, think about what changes you want to make going forward.

3. Start giving.

Giving is one of the most fun and fulfilling things you can do with money. It helps move you from thinking mostly about yourself to thinking about others. It might feel uncomfortable at first, or maybe even unnecessary. But just give it a try. Give to someone in need or support a cause once a week for a month. If you do not feel different after that, send me a message on Instagram (@rachelcruze) and let’s talk about it.

4. Dream about your future.

Take some time to imagine what your retirement could look like. Picture your future in detail—where you’ll live, what you’ll do, how you’ll feel. Let that dream motivate you to start preparing now, even if you’re still in debt or don’t have savings yet. A clear vision can push you to make smarter money choices today.

5. Believe you can succeed.

No matter your background, income, or life story—you can succeed. Yes, some people face bigger obstacles than others, but believing in yourself is the first and most important step. When your beliefs change, your actions follow. And over time, your habits—and even your whole life—can change for the better.

Yes, You Can Change the Way You Think About Money

This is not just a nice idea—it’s backed by truth. Galatians 6:7 says, “A man reaps what he sows.” And author Earl Nightingale once said, “We become what we think about.” That’s why your mindset matters so much. Changing your beliefs about money can change the path of your entire life.

I want you to be excited and confident. Let nothing stop you. Focus on what you can control, and keep building strong habits. That’s how you’ll get out of debt, build wealth, and avoid giving up.

If you’re ready to stick to good money habits, check out my book Know Yourself, Know Your Money. We’ll dig into where your money mindset came from and how to make real, lasting change. You can become someone who truly believes they can win with money—and once you believe it, you will.