Ever since I change my money mindset, the way I perceive money, everything changed with the way I handle money. Money talk is a topic that often evokes strong emotions, from stress and anxiety to excitement and ambition.
But what if we you can reframe your relationship with money? What if, instead of seeing it as a source of worry or a measure of success, we viewed money as a tool—a means to achieve our goals and live the life we desire? In this blog post, we’ll explore why adopting this mindset can lead to financial empowerment and how you can cultivate a healthier relationship with money by embracing it as a tool.
Money as a Tool: Shifting Perspectives
Firstly, let’s consider what it means to view money as a tool. Just like any other tool, money is neutral—it’s neither good nor bad. I grew up in the Philippines and never really been exposed to conversations that surround money or business. All I knew when I was younger is that because of the big income gap of rich and poor people where I grew up, I always thought money was evil. I hear about corrupted politicians, people getting killed because of money, minimum wage working people living in poverty.. So I always thought that the more money I have, the more problems I’ll have.
I did deep work to change this mindset and really look at money as something I need to do better in this world. Money’s value lies in how we choose to use it. Just as a hammer can be used to build a house or destroy property, money can be used to create opportunities, support loved ones, and invest in our future, or it can be squandered on frivolous purchases or fuel destructive habits.
By recognizing money as a tool, we gain a sense of agency and control over our finances. Instead of feeling controlled by money or letting it dictate our happiness, we become the architects of our financial lives, using money strategically to build the future we envision.
What can Money be Used For
Adopting a mindset that sees money as a tool requires a shift in perspective and a commitment to changing how we think and behave around finances. I fully believe that beyond basic necessities, money should be used for what you value in life.
Here are some ways you can use money for (and what I use it for):
1. Create Memories
Start by defining your financial goals. What do you want to achieve with your money? Whether it’s buying a home, traveling the world, starting a business, or saving for retirement, having clear goals will give your financial decisions purpose and direction.
One of the things I don’t mind spending money on is experiences. My family and I love to travel, and I make sure we set a fund every year to fulfill this goal.
2. Buying back your Time
Investing is essential to building wealth and having time freedom. Investing money allows you to have the option to retire early and buy back your time. I had a talk with one of my buddies who recently just retired from full time nursing job. She now only works per diem once a week, and runs her digital online business which allows her to stay at home with her kids. If you want to get started with investing, read this blog post.
3. Spending from a Place of Want vs Need
Cultivate a mindset of gratitude for what you have, rather than focusing on what you lack. Appreciating the abundance in your life, whether it’s financial resources, relationships, or opportunities, can shift your perspective and reduce feelings of scarcity.
I think one of the perks of shifting your money mindset is having a positive feeling around “spending your money”. Spending money used to give me so much guilt, but now I look at it as something that I do to have something that I value. For example, I am going to a mastermind event in New York in a couple of weeks, and have spent over $3,000 to attend this event. Old me would’ve felt like it was a lot of money to spend and I could have spent that on something else– BUT, now, I look at it as “This is something that I value.. I will learn a lot from this event, connect with like-minded individuals and help me grow my business even more“. See the shift there?
4. Helping Other People
Money is a tool and should be given to more good people in this world. One of my mentors, James Wedmore, emphasize this inside his program Business by Design, and I truly believe this. You can do so many good things in the world with the money that you have. This is why I created this blog in the first place.
5. Creating Impact
Going back to the previous statement, we can use money to create impact and live a fulfilling life. I know that I am meant and put in this world for a reason, and that is to improve the livelihood of those who surround me. One of the reasons why I want to be super rich and wealthy is so I can have this legacy for myself.
Embracing Financial Empowerment
When we view money as a tool, we reclaim our power over it. We no longer allow money to dictate our sense of worth or happiness. Instead, we harness its potential to create the life we desire, guided by our values and aspirations.
By cultivating a mindset that sees money as a tool for empowerment, we can transform our relationship with finances and build a more secure and fulfilling future. So, let’s embrace money as the powerful tool it is and use it to craft the life of our dreams.
If you want to learn more how you can work on your money mindset and change your relationship with money, you can get this workshop called Master your Money Mindset.
