What’s the reason behind a post about money mindset journal prompts? Money and personal finance can be a confusing topic. Many of us make money decisions subconsciously, barely realizing why we do what we do. We also have ideas about money and personal finance that are deep-rooted in past experiences and what we’ve been taught.
Why Journal?
Since most of us, including myself, are not fully aware of our money attitudes, habits, and behaviors–it’s important to develop an awareness. When we develop an awareness, we are being intentional and purposeful. Being aware allows us to make better decisions and understand the why behind many of our thoughts and perceptions.
Even though I felt like I was well on the pathway to personal finance success, writing my book Cash Uncomplicated gave me incredible insights into my money attitudes and behaviors. There is something about writing it down that provides an awareness unlike anything else.
But you don’t need to write a personal finance book to become more aware about money. Writing in a journal will also provide clarity and awareness. Hence, this post about money mindset journal prompts.
These simple money mindset journal prompts will get you thinking about the why behind your money decisions. They are also designed to get you thinking about personal finance goals, the purpose of money in your life, your overall attitudes about money, and much more.
How to Journal
Set aside a small amount of time daily or weekly to focus just on journaling. Put your phone in the other room and eliminate as many distractions as possible. Some people like to have 10-20 minutes, while others want more or less time. Pick something that works for you.
The key is to be totally focused and devoid of distractions. This is also known as time-blocking, one of the most effective ways to get things done in a determined amount of time.
Related: 6 Productivity Tips That Will Help Anyone Get More Done in Less Time
Money Mindset Journal Prompts
Sometimes we just need a little head start to get going. Here are 34 money mindset journal prompts to help you get started. Under each prompt, I’ll also write a few sub-questions or ideas to help you get the ideas flowing.
Number 1: What’s my current money mindset?
What’s your money mindset today? How does that compare to yesterday or last week? Any changes that have caused your mindset to shift?
Number 2: How do I think about money?
What are your attitudes and perceptions about money? Why do you think you have those? How do you want to think about money?
Number 3: What value can money bring me?
Why do you want money–or not want money? What good can you do with money? How will your life change if you had more or less money?
Number 4: What do I value?
What do you value in life? How much do the things that you value cost? Can you get everything you want now with the amount of money you currently have?
Number 5: Five things money can buy me…
What are five things money can buy you right now? How about for the future? For children and loved ones?
Number 6: Five things I don’t need money for…
Opposite of money mindset journal prompt number five is five things you don’t need money for. Lots of great things in life are free, start with a list of five.
Number 7: What are my family members attitudes towards money?
Family has a big influence on us. Do your closest family members have an abundance or scarcity mindset towards money? Or is it somewhere in the middle?
Number 8: What purpose do I want my money to serve?
What do you want to do with your money? Invest it, save it, spend it, use it for good to help others? All of the above?
Number 9: If I was wealthy, where would I live?
Where would you live if you were in this situation? Is it possible you could actually live in your dream location now? Or maybe visit there for an extended time period every year?
Number 10: If money was no object, what vacation would I take?
What kind of vacations would you take if money was no object? Tropical and exotic locations, Europe, Africa, domestic travel? Is it possible that your dream vacations are actually achievable now?
Number 11: What are my beliefs about money?
What are your core beliefs about money? How do your values align with your spending? Are you living according to your values?
Related: How Value-Based Spending Can Change Your Life
Number 12: How do I feel about wealthy people?
Do you believe wealthy people got their money through hard work and perseverance or do you believe most inherited their money or got lucky? How generous do you feel most wealthy people are?
Number 13: What are my personal finance goals?
What are your personal finance goals?
- Long-term
- Medium-range
- Short-term
Related: It’s OK to Change Your Personal Finance Goals
Number 14: How would I feel if I were doing better financially?
How would you feel if you were exceeding your financial goals? Or doing just a little better financially? How would your attitudes change about money and day to day life?
Number 15: What does “enough” money look like?
Is there a dollar amount for “enough?” Is “enough” a feeling of financial security? A certain stream of income? What does “enough” mean to you?
Number 16: What’s my money story?
What’s your money history? How has that impacted your current day thoughts and attitudes? Do you want your future money story to be different from your past?
Number 17: What’s the purpose of money?
What is the purpose of money and what purpose does money serve you? Money isn’t meant just to be accumulated, what is the purpose of it?
Number 18: What is your biggest money fear?
Not having enough? Running out of money? Inflation? Everyone has some money fears, what are yours?
Number 19: What makes you feel wealthy?
Do certain experiences make you feel wealthy? Having a certain amount in investments? Where you live?
Number 20: Can I live wealthy without having a lot of money?
Many people discover they can actually live wealthy without having a lot of money. Can you live wealthy without a lot of money? If not, are there minor adjustments you can make to live wealthier?
Number 21: What is a good salary?
What kind of job skills do you have? How should you be compensated for those skills? Is salary just about money or are there other factors like benefit packages and time off?
Related: What Is a Good Salary? Deep Dive Look at Single, Married, Small Family, & Large Family
Number 22: Best money advice I’ve ever received…
What is the best money advice you’ve ever received? Who did it come from? Did you apply the advice immediately or did it take some time to sink in?
Number 23: Worst money advice I’ve ever received…
On the opposite end of the spectrum from money mindset journal prompts number 22 is the worst money advice you’ve ever received? Who gave you this advice? When did you realize it was bad advice? Did you originally think it was good advice?
Number 24: Do I ever feel guilty about money?
Are there ever any feelings of guilt about making money? Or not making money? Why do you think this is?
Number 25: What is the biggest money myth I’ve ever heard?
What’s the biggest money myth you’ve ever heard? How do you know it’s a myth? When did you decide it was a myth?
Number 26: What excuses are holding me back financially?
Have you been making excuses that are holding you back financially? What would your personal finances look like if you didn’t make these excuses? What actions can you take today that would help eliminate some of these excuses?
Number 27: How long do I want to work?
When do you want to retire? Do you want to fully retire or just leave a demanding career to start part time work? What job skills do you bring to the table?
Number 28: What charity would I like to give more to?
Is there a charity or a cause you’d like to give more to? How much do you want to give? Is it possible you could give this amount now?
Number 29: How do I feel about giving my adult children financial support?
What are your thoughts about giving your adult children financial support? Is there a certain amount you’re comfortable giving? How do you feel about adult children living in your home rent free? Any age limits as to when financial assistance is no longer appropriate?
Number 30: What does generational wealth mean to me?
Generational wealth is talked about a lot. What exactly does that mean to you? Is it passing money on to just your kids or does it also include grandchildren and great grandchildren? What about extended family members?
Number 31: How can I improve other people’s lives with money?
Is there a way to improve other people’s lives with money? What kind of improvements could you help others make? Would you want to help just close family and friends or would you help others you don’t know?
Number 32: What does financial abundance mean to me?
What is your definition of financial abundance? Do you have a financially abundant mindset or do you sometimes fall victim to the scarcity mindset? How can you achieve financial abundance?
Number 33: What kind of car would I drive if I had more money?
Do you have a dream car? What year and make is it? Would you drive something different if you had more money? Can you actually afford that car now?
Number 34: My money future is going to be…
What is your money future? Who will help you shape your future? Will you be satisfied with your money future? What steps can you take today to put you on a path to personal finance success?
Conclusion
Money mindset journal prompts have a way of getting the ideas flowing. One idea leads to another–which leads to another. And more after that. Those results start to compound and as more clarity is reached, the better the ideas start to become.
After journaling, some people even begin to realize their dreams can actually become a reality now. For example, someone whose dream vacation costs $10,000 realizes they can easily afford that now. They don’t need to wait, they can have it now.
Same thing for someone who wants to semi-retire once they reach a certain net worth. After looking at their investments, they might realize they are actually at that number now. That means they can leave a stressful career for something more part time and in line with their lifestyle.
It’s easy to ignore our personal finance situation as the days go by. Journaling specifically about money creates a pause and then gives time to re-assess the situation. That’s when epiphanies are reached and true life changes can be made.
Do you journal about money? Has it been helpful?
