Have you ever wondered why two people with very similar incomes or opportunities end up in very different places financially? It often comes down to how they think about money rather than what they earn or invest. Your money mindset is the set of beliefs and attitudes you carry about wealth, risk, security and success. These are things you probably absorbed as a kid – what your family said about money, what you saw in your community, what you experienced when times were tight.

For some people that mindset acts like a launchpad. It encourages risk-taking when appropriate, supports investing, allows feedback without fear, lets them set goals and take steps toward them. Believing that growth is possible, that you are capable and deserving, can make you more consistent and resilient financially.

On the other hand, mindset can also hold you back. If you believe money is scarce, or that you’ll always be “just getting by,” you may avoid investments, stay overly conservative, or spend out of fear or guilt rather than choice. You might get stuck in debt because you think you’re not smart enough to manage it. You might discount opportunities because you feel they’re “not for people like me.” Even your success can feel like luck rather than something you built, which makes it harder to lean into confidence.

Shifting mindset doesn’t happen overnight. But it begins with awareness. Notice what you think and feel when you make financial decisions. Question beliefs that limit you. Replace thoughts like “I’m bad with money” with “I’m learning how to grow financially.” Tune into the moments when fear, comparison or scarcity show up. Cultivate patience, consistency and long-term thinking.

What you believe about money matters more than how much you know. Because even the best plans struggle if you’re working against yourself. Get your mindset aligned, and your financial life often begins to follow.