We all have invisible money scripts in our mind that originate from how we were raised. Many of these act like financial roadmaps we subconsciously follow.
If we grew up learning a scarcity mindset regarding money, it can be extremely challenging trying to change in adulthood. Yet, it’s something we should work hard to overcome and transform.
“From what I’ve seen working with clients over the years, many people operate with a scarcity mindset without even realizing it,” said Shirley Mueller, finance expert and founder of VA Loans Texas.
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“This belief system focuses on what’s lacking, worrying there’s never enough money, opportunities or resources to go around,” she said. “Shifting to an abundance mindset starts with recognizing these limiting thoughts and reframing them.”
Instead of thinking, “I can’t afford that,” she recommended asking, “How can I make that possible?” This small change rewires your approach to financial challenges, encouraging problem-solving and creativity.
“In my experience, clients who embrace this shift often feel more empowered to set ambitious goals and take actionable steps toward them,” Mueller added.
Below are more ways to change your money mindset from scarcity to abundance to help you build wealth.
“Money mindset transformation starts with examining your earliest money memories,” said Kevin Shahnazari, founder and CEO of FinlyWealth. “Many of my clients discover their scarcity thinking stems from childhood experiences — watching parents struggle with bills or hearing phrases like ‘we can’t afford that.’ I guide them to replace these limiting beliefs with evidence-based thinking.”
One practical technique he teaches includes starting each morning by writing down three financial wins from the previous day. “These can be small, like packing lunch instead of buying it or significant, like negotiating a raise,” he explained.
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“One of my clients used this practice and noticed within weeks that she stopped panic-buying during sales and started making conscious investment choices instead,” Shahnazari added. “Her net worth grew by 15% in six months simply because she approached financial decisions with confidence rather than fear.”
He noted that smart money management requires emotional intelligence alongside technical knowledge. “When we operate from a scarcity mindset, we make reactive decisions–grabbing ‘deals’ we don’t need or avoiding investments out of fear,” he said.
