7 Money Blocks Keeping You Poor: Fix Them Now!

When it comes to saving money and achieving financial success, many people find themselves held back by money blocks.

These blocks can wreak havoc on your ability to save and plan for your financial future, so in order to have your finances healthy you need to tackle these obstacles first.

What is a money block?

Money blocks are the unconscious and negative beliefs you have about money that are held deep in your subconscious mind.
They stop you from achieving your financial hopes and desires.
To fix your finances you need to fix these blocks.

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Are you blocking money?

I want to ask you a question, and I would like for you to answer it as best you can. You may want to do it in your head, on a digital document, or maybe even grab a pen and notebook and write it out. Any way is great!

‘What are some limiting beliefs about money you hold?’

If you were to make a list of every thought or mindset you have which may prevent you from achieving financial success, those would be your own money blocks.

They can range from being as simple as thinking you don’t earn enough, or something more complex, and only serve to hinder your finances.

It may not seem like too big a deal at the time, but these beliefs can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

By ignoring your finances, and harboring these limitations, you will only ever progress so far on your journey to financial success.

But we don’t want ‘so far’, I want you to reach total financial freedom, whatever that means to you.

While there are many different money blocks which will affect individuals differently, the following seven are some which I see affecting so many people (including myself!). And you may find yourself nodding along because you experience them too.

Today we are going to look into how each of these may manifest, why they are bad, and how to overcome money blocks so you can move forward.

note and paper with outstanding bills to show money blocks
Knowing your money blocks is the first step to overcoming them

List of 7 common Money Blocks That Are Holding You To Ransom

1. Low Expectations Of Yourself

Many of us have a very bad habit of being overly harsh on ourselves. Whether it is nit-picking how we look or criticizing how we spend our money.

This negative belief system and nitpicking can lead to the self-fulfilling prophecy I mentioned earlier.

When we constantly berate ourselves, we actually begin to lower our expectations of ourselves.

Once we start to lower our expectations it can be difficult to do anything which exceeds these preconceived ideas we have created.

So if you constantly tell yourself you are bad with money, the bar has been set quite low. And over time, you will lose the motivation to try and exceed that expectation you have placed on yourself.

This can lead to less care being taken when it comes to spending money, managing your bills and even accruing debt!

Think of it as a sort of mental rut a person can get stuck in!

The best thing about ruts is it is always possible to get out of them! (Though it may take a bit of work on your part).

how to Clear money blocks

For starters, it is time to stop talking down on yourself.

We are all guilty of it at one point or another, myself included, but this mindset needs to shift before you can even think about any of the other blocks we are going to discuss today.

One of my favourite methods to remove money blocks and limiting beliefs is flipping the narrative. Everytime I catch myself saying something negative, I turn it into something more positive. For example

  • I failed at sticking to my budget this month/ Next month I will do even better with my budget
  • I’m always wasting money with impulse buys/ Starting today I will be more conscientious of how I spend my money
  • I am unable to save any money at all/ This month I am going to start small and save $10 each week.

By spinning your negative thoughts in a more positive, or ambitious light you begin to raise the expectations you have set for yourself. These in turn help keep you motivated to continue towards your goals!

Related posts: Personal Finance For Women: 9 Habits for Future Wealth

Financial receipts and paperwork for money blocks and breakthroughs.
How to release money blocks? Acknowledge them first

2. ‘I Don’t Earn Enough To Need To Learn About My Finances’

A common misconception among people on lower salaries, or hourly paid jobs, is that because your income is so low there is no point in learning how to manage your finances effectively.

This could not be further from the truth!

If anything, it is the exact opposite. The key ‘trick’ that helped me gain my own financial freedom, was a passion for learning absolutely everything I could about money management.

When you ignore your finances, and don’t learn how to manage them or different ways to track your money, it can be incredibly easy to miss unnecessary subscriptions, big bills, overdue payments, and more.

And I’m sure you don’t need me to explain why late payments are bad!

When you track your spending, and actually dedicate time to learning how you can manage your finances, the whole process becomes much more efficient.

It can make saving money an almost automated process, and prevents you from paying late fees (or worse, incurring debt!)

There are many ways to remove your financial blocks but here’s the most important.

remove the negative blockage by reading and learning

For starters, I have many posts on just about everything finance related! From tips and tricks, to advice on paying off debt, and even developing your first budget.

Combine this with tracking your expenditure, and you are giving yourself some steady foundations to change your money script and build your financial freedom. And it’s never been easier! It is possible to track your money in a number of ways;

  • Online banking app: Many banking apps now offer their own finance tracker.
  • Third party app: Some people may prefer to find a different budgeting app for tracking to their banking one.
  • Spreadsheets: The classic way to track your spending. Spreadsheets can be great as they allow total customization too!

Clearing money blocks and taking control of your finances while you are on a low income not only breeds good habits for the future, but it also ensures that you know what money is coming out when and enables you to spot expensive and unnecessary subscriptions too.

Related posts:

How To Manage Your Finances – The Best Ways For 2021

The 30 Day Rule: How To Save (More) Money

The Best Personal Finance Books

These are best personal finance books I recommend to anyone who wants to grow their knowledge and take control of their money. Try and buy a used copy - it's good money sense!

3. ‘I’m Not Clever Enough To Be Clever With My Money’

Another surprising misconception about money is that you have to be clever in general in order to be clever with your income.

Yet again I am inclined to argue this is wrong!

Some of the smartest people I know have the worst money habits! And vice versa.

But this is still an incredibly important money block to clear as it ties in so closely to the first point.

When you acknowledge yourself as not being clever enough, that can become part of the negative self talk mentioned earlier.

The last thing you want is to be telling yourself that you’re not clever enough for something. Especially where your finances are concerned!

Doing something clever with your money could be as simple as putting it into savings. In the age of computers and the internet, many people assume that if you aren’t trading stocks or cryptocurrency, then you aren’t clever enough.

But if you ask me, saving your money is a much smarter, and much safer bet than high risk crypto stuff (suffice to save I know nothing about cryptocurrencies and that ain’t changing!).

Investing is an important part of managing your money but you don’t need a finance degree to get started.

My secret tip: Get comfortable with the idea of investing by using a really fun app called Acorns. It’s the modern equivalent of your coin jar as it rounds up every purchase to the nearest $1 and automatically invests this spare change.

Acorns is a really simple way to dip your toes into investing, and save money, without even thinking about it. I think the best part is this hands off automated service costs as little as $1 a month.

Acorns automated roundups make saving and investing unbelievably easy, you’ll be pleasantly surprised how quickly your spare change accumulates.

Click here to check Acorns for yourself.

4. You Don’t Move On From Past Money Mistakes

When it comes to situations involving money it can be very easy to be caught up in the past.

Remembering all the times you have bought something you didn’t really need, or failed to meet a big financial goal, can be difficult.

But it is important that we can learn from our mistakes and take them on board so that we don’t make them again!

If you never try and get to the root cause of your problem then you will be doomed to repeat it over and over again. While always feeling like you aren’t going anywhere.

Many people get swept up by their failures and shortcomings, especially when there is money involved. Ehen you are focused on releasing money blocks it is important to try and keep in the present, and manage your finances accordingly.

For example

If you find yourself spending too much money on coffee in the week, it would be much easier to say ‘that’s how it’s always been done and I can’t change.’

You have come across a limiting belief, so now it is time to flip it upside down!

Maybe you could only buy coffee on the weekends or perhaps you could brew your own at home to save yourself the money.

Little things will help in removing money blocks which have been previously built. Even if it’s something no bigger than spending a few dollars on coffee.

Maybe it’s your savings, and you constantly find yourself dipping into them so what’s the point?

One way to help you remove a mental block is by simply adjusting the amount you save to account for a buffer fund. Something as small as this can be a stepping stone to create new money rules and change your money story in no time.

Related posts:

7 Reasons Why Saving Money Is So Important

How To Stop Spending Money On Unnecessary Stuff

notebook, pens and spending receipts
How to remove money blocks? Get money smart

5. ‘Adulting’ Money Is Too Hard, So You Don’t

‘Adulting’ is a term often used by teens and young adults to describe a person who is older than them and managing to portray a ‘typical’ adult.

When it comes to money, it can often refer to paying things like bills, paying off debts, tracking your net worth and other family money items. As well as prioritizing saving money over spending every last penny.

When people see these ‘adulting’ tasks as too difficult, it can be problematic. Unfortunately as we grow up and move out it is something we need to learn about and take on board.

You can’t simply not pay your bills, and choosing not to save because it may be difficult is certainly a dangerous path to go down. More so if you live paycheck to paycheck!

That is why it is so important to overcome this money block and create a new belief around your financial identity.

If you are a parent, then a good solution to this is to be open with your kids about money. Talk money on a regular basis and get them involved!

The more they know and understand how finances work before becoming independent, the easier the transition will be.

If you are a young adult struggling or just curious, then I would recommend starting with the basics. Build yourself a simple budget, and work from there.

Money doesn’t have to be difficult at all, and I hope to help people manage their finances in a way that suits them.

If you are willing to put the work in then I have no doubt you will be ‘adulting’ your money like a pro!

Caclulator, notebook and financial paperwork
Know your money blocks and breakthroughs will happen

6. ‘I’m Too Old/Young To Become Rich’

Money has no age restrictions.

Whether you are 20 or 60, you have every opportunity to improve your finances and your financial health.

The idea that our age can have an impact on our ability to make money and improve our finances is incredibly limiting as it stops people taking necessary dives into new experiences and tactics.

This money block is ridiculous if you ask me. So many people may mess up their money and get themselves into debt during their lifetimes. Beliefs like this leave them feeling helpless and that they will be in debt forever.

Which just isn’t the case.

As long as people are smart and conscientious with their money, their age should make little difference in what they can achieve!

7. Money Won’t Buy You happiness

The age old saying which everyone has heard.

Money can’t buy you happiness.

Over the years this phrase has become almost an excuse, for people who are either struggling, or cannot be bothered, to sort out their finances.

And while they aren’t wrong. Money won’t buy you happiness, there is a bit more to it than that.

By using it as a reason to not get your finances in order, you are ultimately setting yourself up for failure. (Take it from me!) Making sure that you have an emergency fund and savings is vital.

Not because you will be buying things of material value. But because that initiative to start saving could be the difference between a roof over your head and food in your belly if anything were to happen to you or your job.

Money won’t buy you happiness is a warning against greed, not advising people to be ill-prepared for a worst-case scenario.

Which is why it is so important to challenge this idea, and clear your money blocks, so that you can set yourself up for the best possible future: one of financial freedom.

Financial receipts and paperwork for how to release money blocks.
Affirmations to remove money blocks can be very effective

heal and remove these money mindset blocks

Hopefully now you understand what money blocks are and have identified some of your own, along with the common ones in this list. And I also hope you have an idea on how to release your money blocks!

I think one of my best pieces of advice is to create some affirmations to remove your money blocks.

Money affirmations will be particularly helpful for any beliefs which include you bringing yourself down, or finding an excuse of sorts.

For example, points 1, 3 and 6 would be great money blocks to utilise affirmations with, as it is challenging a faulty belief you have about yourself.

Improving your financial health is a very active process. For it to be most efficient then you will need to put in the work to track your spending and budget what you earn.

But take it from me, once you achieve financial freedom and begin smashing out your savings goals, you will wonder how you ever managed before!

Start taking back control of your money by grabbing your copy of the Money Saving Starter Guide today.

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Come and follow me on Pinterest for more money saving hints and frugal tips!

Pinterest image for article on money blocks.
Pinterest image for article on money blocks. to manifest money

Last Updated on 19th October 2021 by Emma

About Emma

I'm here to help you become confident in making the best money decisions for you and your family. Frugal living has changed my life, let me help you change yours.

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