Money MindMoney Story
Write down what you learned about money growing up, and which of those beliefs still steer you.
Most money habits were set long before your first payslip: by what your family said, did and argued about. Some of those beliefs help; others quietly drive overspending, hoarding or avoidance. You can't change a script you haven't read.
How to use it
- Write short answers: how was money talked about at home? Who handled it? What happened when there wasn't enough?
- Finish three sentences: 'Money is…', 'Rich people are…', 'If I had more money I would…'.
- Circle any belief that sounds absolute, such as 'debt is always bad' or 'money never lasts'.
- For each, note one recent decision it shaped, for better or worse.
- Keep the useful beliefs; for the unhelpful ones, write a replacement you can test, and share it with someone you trust.
Example
A youth worker at a community charity writes that money at home was 'spent the day it arrived, because it might not be there tomorrow'. That explains why savings never last a month, and gives a concrete belief to work on.
Watch out
- Turning it into blame. The aim is understanding, not a verdict on your parents.
- Expecting one exercise to change long habits. Revisit it when a money decision feels oddly charged.
Share it in Talk About Money; Loss Aversion and Present Bias are biases most stories contain.