Your views on money didn’t start with your first paycheck. They were likely shaped by the household you grew up in and the financial habits that were modeled for you. The more you understand where these beliefs come from, the better equipped you are to challenge the mindsets that no longer serve you.
If you grew up hearing “we can’t afford that,” you may carry a scarcity mindset into adulthood, focusing on protecting what you have rather than seeking growth. By contrast, if money felt plentiful in your household, you may lean toward an abundance mindset, becoming more comfortable with risk and opportunity. Neither perspective is inherently right or wrong, but both can quietly shape your investment decisions in ways you may not recognize.
The key is awareness. Once you see how your past shaped your outlook, you can pause before making decisions and ask whether those old beliefs are helping or holding you back. That awareness allows you to approach money with greater clarity and intention.