“Your bank account is not a reflection of your worth. It’s a report card for your money mindset.”
Listen, I need you to be real with yourself for a second. How do you actually *feel* when you think about your money? Anxious? Ashamed? Like you’re already behind? That right there, sis, is your **money mindset**. And it’s running the whole show.
I used to think my broke college phase was just… life. Scrolling through Venmo requests from roommates, skipping events because “I’m busy,” and that deep pit in my stomach when my card declined for an $8 salad. I blamed my empty wallet on everything except the one thing I could control: my head.
Why Your Current Money Mindset Is Keeping You Broke
We weren’t taught this. We got a crash course in Pythagorean theorems but zero lessons on how money actually works. So we picked up beliefs from everywhere: our parents stressing over bills, social media flexes, that friend who always “forgets” her wallet.
You start to believe things like “rich people are greedy,” “I’m bad with money,” or “I’ll figure it out when I get a real job.” That’s your mindset talking. And it’s setting you up to repeat the same cycles.
💡 Quick Tip
For one week, write down every single thought you have about money. “I can’t afford that.” “She’s so lucky.” “Ugh, rent is due.” Just observe. You can’t change what you don’t see.
Let’s talk about the “Treat Yourself” trap. You had a hard week, so you “deserve” the $65 dinner. You’re sad, so you “need” the new jeans. I’ve been there. But when spending is your only coping mechanism, you’re just putting a financial band-aid on an emotional wound.
💊 What Works: “Get Good with Money” by Tiffany Aliche – This book is like having a patient, hype-woman financial advisor break it ALL down. Budgeting, investing, debt—without the jargon. It’s the manual we never got.
What Actually Works: The 3 Mindset Shifts
This isn’t about becoming a coupon-clipping robot. It’s about building a peaceful, powerful relationship with your money. Start here.
Shift 1: From “Where did it all go?” to “I am the CEO of My Money.” CEOs don’t ignore their company’s finances. They track, they plan, they strategize. For one month, track every single dollar. Not to judge yourself, but to get data. Use a simple Notes app or a free tool like Mint. You’ll find your “money leaks”—that daily $5 coffee isn’t $5, it’s $150 a month. That’s a phone bill, sis.
Shift 2: From “Saving is a punishment” to “Saving is paying Future You.” Stop thinking of savings as money you can’t touch. It’s money you’re *choosing* to give to Future You. Future You who wants to quit her toxic job, take a spontaneous trip, or put a security deposit on her own place. Pay her first. Even $20 a paycheck. Automate it so you don’t have to think.
67% of Gen Z says money is their #1 stressor.
Yeah, let that sink in. More than grades, relationships, or world events. That’s a mental health crisis, girl. And it’s because we feel out of control. A solid **money mindset** gives you that control back.
Shift 3: From “I need more to start” to “I’ll start with what I have.” You don’t need a six-figure salary to build wealth. You need consistency. Investing isn’t just for rich uncles. Apps like Acorns let you invest your “spare change.” $5 here, $10 there, in a low-risk ETF, over 30 years? That’s life-changing compound interest working while you sleep.
The Truth Nobody Tells You
Your friends, your family, even your partner—they all have money baggage. And they will project it onto you. The minute you start saying “no” to expensive outings, or talk about your 401(k) match, someone will call you “cheap” or “boring.”
It has nothing to do with you. It triggers their own insecurity and shame. Protect your peace and your progress. You don’t have to explain your financial goals to anyone. A simple “That’s not in my budget this month!” said with a smile is a complete sentence.
“Financial confidence isn’t about having a lot of money. It’s about knowing exactly where every dollar is, and where it’s going.”
This is the kind of stuff women talk about inside TechMae every single day. No judgment, just real ones keeping it real. How to split bills with a messy roommate, how to negotiate your first salary, how to save when you’re making minimum wage.
Related: This post is a must-read for women on their journey.
Start Here: Your 15-Minute Money Mindset Makeover
Don’t overcomplicate it. Do this one thing today. Open your banking app. Look at your last statement. Then, open a blank note and answer these three questions honestly:
Why This Works:
✅ It forces awareness (no more hiding).
✅ It separates fact from feeling.
✅ It gives you a clear starting point.
1. What was my biggest *happy* spend? (The thing that actually brought me joy, not guilt.)
2. What was my biggest *regret* spend? (The thing that made me think “why did I do that?”)
3. Looking at this, what is one tiny change I can make before my next paycheck? (Example: “I will make coffee at home 3 times this week instead of buying it.”)
That’s it. You’ve just begun auditing your life, not just your bank account. This is how you build a **money mindset** that works for you, not against you.
You might also love this article – one of our most shared.
This Is Your Sign to Stop Doing It Alone
Women inside TechMae have been exactly where you are—figuring out the FAFSA, navigating their first credit card, side-hustling to make ends meet. Come find your people.
