Money Makes Me Look Good & Other Common Beliefs About Money.
We all carry baggage around the issue of money. Learning what those are can help us release our baggage and receive more money in our lives.
We’ve all heard them before; “money can’t buy happiness,” “rich people are crooks,” “money is the root of all evil,” and “money doesn’t grow on trees.” These are common beliefs about money.
Most of your beliefs around money are influenced by what you heard and witnessed growing up in your home, your community, and the media.
Since most of what you learned in childhood stays with you, are you happy with the beliefs you inherited about money?
Did you grow up hearing your parents say, “rich people are entitled” or, “your dad worked hard to afford your education,” or “we can’t afford it?”
Maybe in your family, like many others, no one talked about money. Much like the topic of sex, talking about money would have been considered taboo.
Most scripts about money fall under one of five beliefs:
Money is bad
This belief finds its biblical roots, “the love of money is the root of many evils.” It clearly states that the love of money is the root of many evils. It does not say that money, per se, is the root of all evil. But it is often misquoted to mean that money causes corruption in this world.
Do you believe that money is the cause of evil in this world? And that wealthy people are somehow corrupt?
Question your belief. Money is paper and is not inherently wrong. What some people do with money is where the problem lies.
Money will solve all my problems.
Underlying this is the belief that all your existing problems stem from not having enough money. And if you have enough capital, your problems will all be solved.
This belief comes up through statements such as, “If only we had more money, we would be able …” or, “it’s easy for her to speak; she has a lot of money.”
Cash does not innoculate you from life’s ups and downs. Divorce, the death of a loved one, and illness are all part of life. Money cannot solve all your problems.
We all face them regardless of how much is in our bank accounts. How we respond to these events will determine their outcomes, not the amount of money we have.
Money makes me look good.
Behind this belief is the idea that the way you dress, the car you drive, and the neighborhood you live in influence how others perceive you. And that, in turn, affects the way you see yourself. Many of us may not be aware or want to admit that we believe this. Nevertheless, this belief ties money closely to your self-esteem.
Studies show that we judge people by their appearance. And we treat people who appear to have the trappings of wealth better than those who look poor.
Many of us have bought into this idea that others treat us better by appearance. The amount of money companies spend on advertising is evidence of this pervasive belief.
There is substantial evidence that society does treat us differently based on our net worth. And the rich appear to get away with a lot more. Are you aware of how you treat those with money and those without?
This belief can drive a person into debt to adorn the trappings of socially prescribed ideas of wealth — branded clothes the luxury vehicle parked in an affluent neighborhood.
There is never enough.
The mindset of there never being enough money is rooted in fear. But interestingly, this has little to do with a person’s actual net worth.
Multi-millionaires can still fear that they may lose it all. And be left destitute. People raised in the Great Depression often have this fear of being broke.
Money requires sacrifice
Another common belief is that you must make sacrifices to make money. That money is hard-earned. We live in a culture that values drive and effort. We admire successful people who work eighty-hour per week.
Most people believe there are tradeoffs to achieving financial success—in terms of time with family and balanced life.
Money is merely a tool.
Seeing money as merely a tool is a healthy way to approach the subject. However, it does not attach your self-worth to how much you have in your bank account. Neither does it imprison you within a mindset of fear, lack, or limitation.
Money is a tool, and you decide how you want to use it. Money does not corrupt. It can enrich your life by giving you options and can be used to help.
Change your money scripts.
If you are unaware of your beliefs about money, take a close look at your financial situation as it is now. It should illuminate your beliefs about money. For example, are you living paycheck to paycheck? Do you get into debt to pay for the latest gadgets?
Be mindful of your self-talk around money. Recall your past financial transactions. They could be small or large purchases or financial decisions. How did you feel? How do you want to think about money going forward? Then, decide the beliefs you want to adopt and start living as you believe them.
