25 Transformative Money Affirmations - Manifest That! [A Series - Part II]

The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) framework is useful in creating helpful and realistic money affirmations. CBT first requires you to identify your problematic thoughts. Problematic thoughts, or cognitive distortions, are inaccurate and irrational thoughts that perpetuate feelings of sadness, hopelessness, fear, worry, etc. and prevent us from making sustainable change. In CBT, after identifying problematic thoughts, you construct new, more beneficial replacement thoughts. These replacement thoughts are intended to help you more effectively change your behavior, as they take into consideration your specific circumstances, strengths, and supports and, most importantly, as they are not riddled with shame, guilt, or self-blame. Replacement thoughts can serve as money affirmations. Before using the following 25 money affirmations as templates for creating money affirmations that feel true and meaningful to you, use this list of common types of cognitive distortions to serve as a guide in identifying your own problematic thoughts.

Empowerment Affirmations

It is difficult to make change, financial or otherwise, if we do not feel empowered to do so. You do not need to earn or have a lot of money in order to have an empowered mindset or to be empowered. If you feel hopeless about your financial circumstances, focus on creating financial empowerment affirmations. After all, financial empowerment affirmations are the first step in making financial changes and achieving your financial goals.

Templates

1. I am going to be honest with myself and others about my financial circumstances.

2. I have made difficult changes in life. This is another difficult change that I am capable of making. 

3. I can learn more about personal finance, even though it feels overwhelming. Little by little.

4. I am working on changing my belief that I am ‘bad with money.’ I have a lot to learn and room for growth, and I am excited to progress. 

5. I do not earn a lot of money but that does not mean that I am financially irresponsible. 

Employment Affirmations

Our jobs, including the specific work we do every day, our coworkers, our bosses, and our organization’s mission and benefits, deeply impact every aspect of lives. As we spend one third of our lives at work (which does not include time we spend thinking about work, driving to work, getting ready for work, etc.), our jobs inevitably and unavoidably impact our mental health, physical health, relationships, and financial wellbeing. Reflect on how your work supports our health, relational, lifestyle, and financial goals.

Templates

1. I am setting boundaries on the number of hours I am willing to work weekly. The more I work, the more I earn, but my mental health and work life balance are a priority.

2. I am going to ask my boss for the merit based raise I deserve, even though I am nervous. The worst she can say is no.

3. I will research jobs that I would like in the future, so I know the qualifications and requirements, and I can start working towards them now.

4. My side job is only temporary. If I feel overwhelmed, I will take a step back. Once I pay off my credit card debt, I will also take a step back. 

5. I feel confident that I am qualified for other jobs.

Saving Affirmations

Saving money is foundational in establishing financial safety and security. Saving money is also essential in order to move through the financial hierarchy and ultimately to be able to accumulate wealth, achieve financial independence and financial freedom, and leave a legacy or inheritance. For some, saving comes naturally. While for others, saving requires more thought and effort. If saving requires more thought and effort for you, consider your goals for the future and how saving may help you to achieve these goals.

Templates

1. I do not have to be able to save a lot to start saving. Each and every dollar adds up over time. I will not regret saving $20 today.

2. As my income increases, I will thoughtfully and selectively inflate my lifestyle, so I can also save more money.

3. I am saving money to have peace of mind, to sleep more soundly.

4. I will consider the financial implications of everyday decisions. 

5. I will check my bank account every day for the next month, even though it is scary. 

Wealth Affirmations

Whether you have earned wealth, inherited wealth, or would one day like to have more wealth, wealth can bring up many complicated feelings. We all have different definitions of wealth, often based on our upbringing, and also different beliefs about wealth (‘wealthy people are greedy’, ‘wealth is not accessible for everyone’, ‘increased wealth would solve all of my probelms’, etc.) and relationships to wealth (entitlement, guilt, desire, etc.). Reflect on how your beliefs about wealth and relationship to wealth are or are not helping you to achieve your financial goals and to improve your overall wellbeing.

Templates

1. I can have money and be a good person. These are not mutually exclusive. 

2. I have a lot of money and still feel unfulfilled. Money does not bring fulfillment. I am searching for what does fulfill me.

3. There is no inherent shame in feeling worried about money even though I am a millionaire. 

4. If I am always striving for more money, I will never feel like I have enough. Instead, I am accepting and appreciating where I am at. Peace and contentment must come from within me.

5. I will reflect on different types of wealth that I do have - physical health, social relationships, etc.

Hobbies and Interests Affirmations

Oftentimes, when people begin their journey to financial stability, they eliminate spending in the category of hobbies and interests. However, engaging in our hobbies and interests is an important part of maintaining our mental health and wellbeing. Eliminating your hobbies and interests all together may ultimately negatively impact your finances. Instead of immediately eliminating your hobbies and interests, take a minute to evaluate them (how important a hobby is to you, how often you engage in a specific hobby, etc.) and create a path forward that permits you to achieve your financial goals while still engaging in your hobbies and interests.

Templates

1. Spending money on a gym membership and healthy food is a long term investment in my health.

2. It is important to me to spend money on quality skin care products, because I have acne. Having clear skin increases my confidence and self-esteem. 

3. I will sort through all the video games that I have and sell or donate five before purchasing a new game.

4. I do not need to purchase the ‘best’ bike in order to purchase a bike. I can purchase a bike within a reasonable price range that meets my need of commuting three miles to work each day.

5. Before investing in a hobby, I will consider how likely I am to actually follow through with this hobby.