How to Shift Limiting Beliefs About Money

Is there too much month at the end of your money? Do you feel like no matter how hard you work, you just can’t break through to the next level of financial freedom? If so, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with limiting beliefs about money—those subconscious thoughts that keep us stuck financially. These beliefs shape the way we think, feel, and act around money, often without us even realizing it.

The good news? You can change them. In this post, we’ll explore what limiting beliefs about money are, how to recognize them, and most importantly, how to shift them. By the end, you’ll be on your way to a more abundant mindset and the financial freedom you deserve.

What Are Limiting Beliefs About Money?

Limiting beliefs are those deeply ingrained thoughts that hold us back, often without us realizing it. When it comes to money, these beliefs can sound like, “Money doesn’t grow on trees,” or “Rich people are greedy.” They sneak into our minds and influence how we feel about wealth, spending, and saving.

These beliefs are usually subconscious, but they have a powerful impact on our financial decisions. Maybe you’ve noticed that no matter how much you earn, it never seems to be enough. That was me. Despite earning a good salary, I struggled to save. Money flowed through my fingers like water, and before I knew it, I was in debt. I couldn’t understand why it kept happening.

So, I started looking into the psychology of money. That’s when I realized that I was uncomfortable with having money. Subconsciously, I felt it wasn’t safe to have too much. So, I would find ways to get rid of it—overspending, unnecessary purchases, even giving it away. This behavior was all driven by my limiting beliefs about money.

These beliefs may be holding you back too, without you even knowing it. But once you recognize them, you can start to change them and break the cycle.

The Web of Limiting Money Beliefs: My Own and Some You Might Share

Limiting money beliefs can take many forms, and they often come from our upbringing, society, or even cultural norms. Here are a few that many of us carry, often without realizing it.

Belief 1: “I don’t deserve to earn more.”

This belief is more common than you might think, especially for those of us taught to put others first. I used to think this way too. Society often teaches women to prioritize others’ needs and to feel guilty about wanting more for themselves. It’s almost as if asking for more—or even wanting more—is somehow selfish. This belief can keep you stuck, never daring to ask for a raise, afraid to charge what you’re worth, or even uncomfortable with receiving financial abundance.

Belief 2: “Money is the root of all evil.”

For years, I believed that only a**holes had money. Phrases like “money corrupts” or “rich people are greedy” were ingrained in me. I thought that if I earned more money, it would somehow change me—or worse, make me a bad person. This belief subconsciously pushed me to repel opportunities for wealth, because deep down, I didn’t want to become what I judged.

Belief 3: “I’m just not good with money.”

This one haunted me for a long time, and the irony is that I was an accountant! I could manage other people’s money like a pro, but when it came to my own, I convinced myself I wasn’t cut out for it. Budgeting, saving, investing—all the things I helped others with felt impossible to apply in my own life. It was like a mental block. Even with all the tools, knowledge, and experience at my disposal, this belief undermined my confidence. I made poor financial decisions not because I didn’t know better, but because I believed I couldn’t do better for myself.

Belief 4: “Don’t get ideas above your station.”

I grew up hearing this phrase, and it shaped my relationship with money in a big way. I was proud of my working-class roots, but this belief kept me from aiming too high. It was like there was an invisible ceiling over my head. I wasn’t allowed to get too ambitious. Any time I thought about reaching for more, I felt like I was betraying my background. This kept me rooted in a scarcity mindset, always settling for “just enough.”

Belief 5: “You have to work hard for your money.”

This belief really weighed me down. I was taught that if money came easily, it was either undeserved or there was something wrong with it. If I earned money without sweating for it, I felt guilty and uncomfortable. As a result, I’d often find ways to get rid of it—whether through impulse spending or giving it away—just to align with the belief that money should only come through hard work.

Belief 6: “Be financially independent.”

On the surface, this seems like a great belief to have. After all, being financially independent is a goal many of us strive for. But when layered with my other limiting beliefs, it became more harmful than helpful. My subconscious put all the emphasis on “independent,” which led me to believe that I had to do everything on my own. I was afraid to ask for help, even when I really needed it, because I thought relying on anyone else meant I was failing at financial independence.

This belief isolated me. I took on too much, refused advice, and avoided seeking guidance because I didn’t want to admit I couldn’t do it all by myself. In reality, true financial independence doesn’t mean going it alone—it means being empowered enough to seek help, collaborate, and learn from others. I had to break free from the idea that asking for support was a sign of weakness.

Belief 7: “I’ll never be rich.”

This is a belief that convinces you that wealth is for “other people.” If you think that financial success is out of reach, you’ll never even try to go for it. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Belief 8: “Money will change me.”

Some people fear that having more money will change who they are, making them less authentic or more materialistic. This belief can keep you from embracing financial opportunities.

Belief 9: “I’m not worthy of financial success.”

This limiting belief is rooted in low self-esteem. If you don’t believe you’re worthy of financial success, you won’t take the actions needed to achieve it, even when the opportunities are right in front of you.

Belief 10: “There’s never enough money.”

If you believe in constant lack, you’ll always focus on what you don’t have instead of what you could create. This scarcity mindset keeps you stuck in a cycle of just getting by, rather than thriving.

The truth is, these beliefs are just stories we tell ourselves. And they have the power to shape our financial reality—unless we choose to change them.

How to Identify Your Limiting Beliefs

Recognizing your limiting beliefs about money is the first step toward breaking free from them. Here are some practical ways to uncover what might be holding you back:

Journaling Prompts:

Writing down your thoughts can help bring hidden beliefs to the surface. Here are 10 journaling prompts to get you started:

1. What messages did I hear about money growing up?
2. How did my parents or caregivers handle money, and how has that influenced me?
3. What emotions do I feel when I think about earning more money?
4. Do I believe that money is hard to come by? Why or why not?
5. How do I behave when I receive unexpected money? Do I save it, spend it, or feel uncomfortable with it?
6. What do I believe about people who are wealthy? How does that affect my relationship with money?
7. Do I feel guilty when I spend money on myself? Where does that guilt come from?
8. What do I think I deserve financially? Why?
9. What’s the biggest fear I have around having more money?
10. How would my life change if I felt financially secure?

Reflect on Childhood Messages:

Consider the phrases you heard around money as a child. Did you hear things like “We can’t afford that” or “Money is the root of all evil”? These messages often form the foundation of your current money beliefs.

Behavioral Cues:

Pay attention to how you act when you receive extra income. Do you spend it impulsively or make thoughtful decisions about saving or investing it? Your actions around money are often reflections of deeper subconscious beliefs.

Awareness is the key. Once you start recognizing these patterns—whether through journaling or reflecting on your financial behavior—you can begin to challenge and change them. This will allow you to break free from financial limitations and move toward a healthier, more abundant mindset.

Transforming Limiting Beliefs and Raising Your Financial Set Point

Once you’ve identified your limiting beliefs about money, the next step is transforming them. Here’s how you can start shifting your mindset and raising your financial set point:

Step 1: Awareness

The first step is recognizing the belief or behavior that’s holding you back. Maybe you notice that you spend money as soon as you earn it or feel uncomfortable when your savings account grows. Acknowledge these patterns and the beliefs behind them. Awareness is the foundation for change.

Step 2: Challenge

Next, question the belief. Ask yourself, Is it really true that money is bad? Or that I’m not capable of managing it? Use logic and examples from your own life to challenge these thoughts. For instance, if you believe “I’m not good with money,” think about times when you did manage your finances well. The goal is to break down these limiting thoughts with clear evidence.

Step 3: Reframe

Now, replace the old belief with a new, empowering one. Instead of “Money is hard to come by,” try “Money flows easily to me, and I can use it to create positive change.” Or shift “I’m not worthy of wealth” to “I am worthy of financial abundance.” Reframing helps to reset your mindset and opens you up to new possibilities.

Step 4: Raising the Financial Thermostat

To break free from the “financial thermostat” effect, you need to expand your financial comfort zone. Start small by saving or investing just a little more than usual, then gradually increase it over time. Visualize yourself managing larger sums of money with ease. Surround yourself with people who have a healthy relationship with money. Their habits and mindset can positively influence yours.

Bonus: EFT for Transforming Beliefs

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), or tapping, is another tool that can help you shift limiting beliefs. By tapping on specific acupressure points while focusing on a limiting thought, you can reduce the emotional charge around it. This creates space to adopt new, empowering beliefs like “I am capable of managing money” or “It’s safe for me to have financial abundance.”

By following these steps, you can transform your relationship with money, raise your financial set point, and move closer to the abundance you deserve.

Building a New Money Mindset

Shifting your limiting beliefs is just the beginning. To fully transform your relationship with money, you need to build a new mindset—and that requires consistency.

Consistency

Practicing your new beliefs daily is key. Incorporate affirmations like “I am worthy of financial success” into your routine. Visualize yourself managing money with confidence and ease. Use gratitude exercises to focus on the abundance already in your life. These small, daily habits will help reinforce your new money mindset and make it stick.

Resources

As a reader, I’ve found books to be one of the best ways to solidify a healthy money mindset. Here are a few that have made a huge impact on me:

• “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill – A classic that explores the mindset behind wealth.
• “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki – A great look at how different attitudes toward money can shape your financial life.
• “The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind” by T. Harv Eker – This book dives deep into how our subconscious beliefs impact our financial outcomes.
• “Set for Life” by Scott Trench – A practical guide to building wealth from the ground up.

If you’re more of a listener or enjoy visual content, YouTube has plenty of valuable resources. I highly recommend videos by Jim Rohn (Tony Robbins’ mentor) and Brian Tracy. Both of these speakers focus on personal development and financial success, offering timeless advice on building wealth. You can also check out speakers like Bob Proctor or Tony Robbins himself for additional inspiration on money and mindset.

Community

Lastly, surround yourself with like-minded people. Join supportive networks or groups that foster positive financial habits. Whether it’s a local personal development group or an online community, being around others who are working on their money mindset can keep you motivated. Facebook groups, money-focused Reddit communities, or mastermind groups are great places to start.

With consistency, the right resources, and a supportive community, you can strengthen your new money mindset and fully step into the financial abundance you deserve.

Conclusion

Changing your relationship with money starts with recognizing your limiting beliefs. We’ve explored how these beliefs can hold you back, how to identify them, and the steps to shift them. With awareness, challenging those old stories, and reframing them, you can raise your financial set point and build a healthier mindset around money.

On a personal note, transforming my own limiting beliefs about money has completely changed my life. I no longer stress about finances like I used to. For the first time, I’m able to save consistently, and I recognize opportunities I would have missed before. Most importantly, I’ve let go of the resentment I once felt toward wealthy people. It’s been liberating.

Now, it’s your turn. Start paying attention to the beliefs that may be keeping you stuck. Challenge them, and replace them with empowering ones. With practice, you’ll notice real change.

Ready to take the next step? Download my free workbook on limiting beliefs and begin working through these thoughts today. Once you’ve done the work, you can apply the same principles to all areas of your life, unraveling limiting beliefs about love, self-worth, and beyond. It’s time to embrace abundance in every way!