Most people think money mindset is only about spending or saving. In reality, it influences almost every decision we make. It shapes how we value ourselves, how we price our work, how we receive support, and even how we show up in our lives and businesses.

I’ve been helping clients rewrite their money stories and I’ve done the deep work myself, so I’ve seen the patterns that keep people stuck. Many of them are subtle. They look harmless on the surface, but they quietly limit what someone believes is possible for them.

Here are the most common indicators of a challenged money mindset, along with simple shifts to begin loosening those old beliefs.

You feel guilty spending money on yourself

This often comes from childhood messages about being sensible, not wasting money or not being “that kind of person”. You may spend easily on others but hesitate when it comes to you. The belief underneath is usually “I don’t deserve it”.

The Breakthrough: Start with small intentional choices that reinforce the idea that you matter. It could be upgrading something you use daily or giving yourself permission to invest in growth. You build trust with yourself each time you do this.

You avoid pricing at the level your work deserves

Undercharging is one of the clearest signs of a restricted money mindset. You might fear judgement or worry that charging properly will make people walk away. In truth, it’s usually a confidence issue disguised as caution.

The Breakthrough: Get clear on the results you help people achieve and the energy it takes to deliver them. Price from that clarity rather than from fear. You don’t need to leap to a new number overnight. You can gradually step into it.

You feel uncomfortable receiving money or being paid for by others

This one surprises people. If receiving feels awkward, it’s a sign your nervous system isn’t used to abundance. You may have grown up hearing that accepting things makes you greedy or beholden.

The Breakthrough: Practice receiving without immediately giving something back. Say thank you without shrinking or deflecting. Allowing abundance is just as important as creating it.

You overspend to feel safe, soothed or successful

Overspending is not a confidence issue. It is usually a self-worth issue. You buy things to prove something to yourself or others, or to avoid sitting with difficult emotions.

The Breakthrough: Pause before purchasing and ask what you’re actually trying to soothe or avoid. Create healthier ways to meet that need. Overspending reduces when self-worth increases.

You hold onto money tightly because you fear it won’t come back

This is a scarcity pattern I know well. You might feel anxious spending even when you can afford it. You may delay investments that would genuinely help you grow.

The Breakthrough: Look back at all the times money has flowed in through unexpected avenues. Evidence calms the nervous system. When you start trusting your ability to create money, you spend from intention rather than fear.

You believe earning more requires sacrificing your wellbeing

Many people carry the belief that more income equals more stress, more work or less freedom. That belief alone keeps them from raising their income ceiling.

The Breakthrough: Redefine what wealth means to you. It can look like space, peace, options and support. When you stop equating abundance with exhaustion, you make room for healthier growth.

You rely heavily on external validation around money decisions

If you often find yourself asking others what you “should” charge or whether something is worth it, your relationship with money is being run by fear of getting it wrong.

The Breakthrough: Build your decision-making muscle through smaller choices. The more you trust yourself with the little things, the easier the bigger decisions become.

Money mindset work is not about learning how to be good with money. It’s about understanding the stories you absorbed, deciding which ones you want to keep, and rewriting the ones that no longer serve you. When you shift your beliefs, your behaviour naturally follows and your results change.

If you want to dive deeper into your own relationship with money and learn how to shift from scarcity to possibility, my masterclass The Wealth Switch™ will guide you through the exact process I use with clients. You can access here: https://go.deeairey.com/money-mindset.

You get to rewrite your story. You get to create a healthier, more empowered relationship with money. And it starts with awareness, one belief at a time.

Let’s Stay Connected

If you’re ready to find the limitless and more confident version of yourself, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s connect on Instagram or follow me on Facebook - you don’t have to do this alone.

If you want more inspiration - tune in to my Limitless by Dee Airey™️ Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

You are more capable than you think, and the only permission you need is your own.

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