For most of use, our view of money has been passed on to us by our parents, and this proved to be extremely influential to our perspectives. Our childhood memories about money, called money messages, have taught us whatever value we place on finances today. For instance, people who have been taught that money means control and power tend to behave in a different way when compared with those who were raised believing that money is not good. Some of the most common money messages are as follows:
1. Earning money will always require hard work.
2. Too much money will make one less “spiritual.”
3. It is difficult to manage money.
4. Being rich is not your destiny.
Those who grew up with these money messages sabotage their adult lives when it comes to financial decisions. Our view of prosperity and poverty are all a part of our upbringing.
Prosperity thinkers believe that money was created for pleasure. In turn spending money gives them joy. Owning a lot of money brings a sense of abundance. And they tend to make more money. On the other hand, poverty thinkers are pessimistic about money. Spending money revolves around feelings of reluctance. They always feel they will never have enough of it.
Both philosophies are extreme and dwelling on either end may be dangerous. One the one hand, prosperity thinkers should always make sure they are living within their means. On the other hand, poverty may worry too much about money that they hold it even to their own families.
In other words, knowing the money messages that have influenced us is critical to the way we view money. Whether we like it or not, they will always have an influence in our financial decisions. The only way out is to change our viewpoint. Move the gear shift from the “passive” mode to “proactive” mode. It is time to change our money behaviors.