Let’s talk about your money script. Everyone has one and, most people have a negative money script, but today, we are going to talk about how you can change that.
So, put your hand up if you have ever said:
- I will never be able to afford that!
- I will never have the money to travel.
- I will never be as wealthy as (insert name) is.
- I will never be able to afford those clothes.
Well, I put my hand up to all of those. Anyone else? When I was first on my own, I said those things to myself all the time, and I thought it when my girls were young. So, I had a negative money script – meaning I talked about and thought about money negatively. But I was able to overcome it and change it, and you can, too.
Why does a money script matter?
Well, money scripts shape the mental mindset of money. It shapes the way we think about money, the way we see money, and the way we spend money. Your money script can have disastrous effects on your money situation. If we always believe we’ll never be able to afford something or be as “wealthy” as someone, we’ll continue to spend money instead of saving for some of those goals. Remember, what you think is how you feel and how you feel impacts how you spend money.
How do you change a money script?
Make a plan.
I know it sounds too simple, but hear me out… if you REALLY want something, make a plan to get it. Instead of saying, “I could never afford that,” think, “if I save this much each month, I can afford it by this day.” Or “I’m going to save x-amount for the next 3-months by cutting out this (e.g. my daily coffee stops, eating out, cancelling a subscription, etc), so I can buy it”.
When you’re comparing yourself to someone else who is “wealthier” I want you to think about how wealthy you are. You are wealthy because you have skills, and you are good at what you do. You are wealthy because you are alive. You are wealthy because you are making progress. So instead of saying “I’ll never be as wealthy as (name)” say “I am wealthy and I have enough to be able to do this and now I’m working towards this”. Then, make a plan to get there.
I’m telling you, if you can change the way you think, feel, and talk about money, it will change everything. I used to have a negative script about money. I used to talk negatively about it, and I used to believe that it was something I would never have and never be capable of having. I used to think, feel and truly believe this. So, I know firsthand that changing your script CAN change your money situation.
When I changed the way I thought about money, it changed the way I spent money. This didn’t happen overnight, of course.
I challenge you to change TWO negative thoughts you have about money and see how your behaviour changes over time. Then, watch your money turn sassy and sexy.
