Why Your Money Won’t Change Until Your Mindset Does
As a CPA, I get asked money questions all the time. People want to know how to save, budget, invest, get out of debt—you name it. And honestly, I could hand out a thousand tips, spreadsheets, and budgeting tools. But here’s the truth: none of it will matter unless you change your mindset.
That’s the part no one wants to hear.
Most people actually have the tools they need to get their finances in order. Budgets, apps, YouTube videos, even free spreadsheets. The problem isn’t lack of resources—it’s that people start strong and then lose motivation.
Why? Because we want everything instantly. We want a quick fix, an instant solution to a problem that took years to create. But let’s be real: you didn’t get into financial trouble overnight, and you’re not getting out of it overnight either.
Why it’s so hard to shift your mindset
Comfort feels safe.
Old habits are familiar.
Overwhelm kicks in.
Motivation fades.
That’s why having a why is non-negotiable.
If you don’t know your why, you’ll always slip back into old patterns. Your words might say you want to change, but your actions tell the truth. It’s easy to justify that Starbucks run or swipe your card because, well… YOLO. With that mindset, you will never move ahead.
And I get it. I really do. I’ve said YOLO to myself plenty of times. I believe in enjoying life—I’m all about working hard and playing even harder—but there’s a time and a place.
My wake-up call
I remember when I first started this whole journey of getting my finances in order (and let me tell you—it’s an ongoing thing, not a one-time fix). At one point, I was actually receiving two full-time paychecks (my old job was paying me while I had already started a new one). In a perfect world, that extra income would’ve gone straight to savings. But in reality? Who knows where it went—definitely not into my bank account.
That was my wake-up call. Here I was, helping other people get their finances together while mine was not in order. That’s when I realized my mindset had to change.
It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. Later, when small emergencies popped up, I was grateful I had finally started saving.
Even now, it’s a constant struggle. Some days, I want to say YOLO to travel, shopping, or splurge just because. But then I remember my why. And that is what keeps me from making impulse decisions..
✨ Here’s my challenge to you: take a moment today and really ask yourself—What’s your why?
Because until you know it, no budget, no app, and no spreadsheet will truly stick.