The Real Link Between Money, Mindset & Behavior

Let’s talk real talk for a second.
 
Have you ever caught yourself saying things like “I’m just not good with money,” or “People like me will never be rich”?
 
Yeah… that’s your mindset talking. And believe it or not, that little voice in your head is running the whole show when it comes to how you handle your money.
 
Your mindset shapes your financial behavior — the way you spend, save, earn, and even how you react to money stress. It’s not just about how much money you have. It’s about what you believe about money. That belief becomes your reality.
 
So, how does mindset actually impact your money? Let’s start with this. If you walk around constantly thinking, “There’s never enough” or “I always struggle,” guess what you’re gonna attract? More of that same struggle. That’s what we call a scarcity mindset — and it’s sneaky. It’ll have you holding onto money too tightly, afraid to invest in yourself, making decisions out of fear instead of strategy. You start living paycheck to paycheck not just because of income, but because you don’t believe you’ll ever get ahead. You don’t even try to dream bigger.
 
Now flip that. When you’ve got an abundance mindset, you believe there’s always room to grow. You understand that even if you’re not where you want to be yet, you can get there. That mindset opens the door for smarter money moves — like planning ahead, saving with intention, learning new skills to increase your income, and seeing opportunities instead of just problems.
 
It’s not about being overly positive or pretending bills don’t exist. It’s about shifting from “I’m stuck” to “I can figure this out.” That’s powerful.
 
Where does behavior come into play? Your money habits are a reflection of your money mindset. If you’re avoiding your bank account, overspending to feel better, or never saving a dime — those are behaviors tied to beliefs.
 
You might be trying to fill emotional gaps with shopping. Or maybe you don’t trust yourself with money because of what you were taught (or not taught) growing up. Most of us learned by watching others — and let’s be honest, a lot of our parents were just surviving. So, we inherited habits rooted in fear, lack, or silence.
 
But here’s the good news: just because you learned something doesn’t mean you have to keep it. Mindset can be rewired. And that’s where the real transformation starts.
 
How do you start changing your money mindset? First off, you gotta check yourself. Pay attention to the things you say or think about money. Catch those thoughts like, “Money is hard to come by,” or “I’ll never get out of debt.” Then, ask yourself — is that true, or just something I’ve believed for so long it feels true?
 
Next, start practicing gratitude — even for the small stuff. It sounds cliché, but it works. Gratitude helps shift your focus from what’s missing to what’s already working in your favor. That shift changes everything.
 
And, educate yourself. Read the books. Listen to the podcasts. Follow people who talk about money in a way that makes sense to you — especially those who come from similar backgrounds. The more you learn, the more confident you’ll feel making decisions. When you know better, you do better.
 
You also need a vision. Set clear goals for where you want to be — not just “get rich,” but what does financial freedom look like for you? Is it paying off debt, buying a home, starting a business? Clarity gives you direction, and direction fuels discipline.
 
Lastly, watch your circle. Surround yourself with people who speak life into your goals — not the ones who always say, “That’s too expensive” or “People like us don’t do that.” Find folks who believe in financial growth and aren’t afraid to talk about it.
 
Changing your money mindset ain’t just about feeling good — it’s about taking your power back. When you shift your thoughts, you shift your habits. When you shift your habits, your money starts to move differently.
 
And before you know it, you’re not just surviving — you’re building real wealth and walking in financial freedom.
 
So yeah, mindset matters. More than most people think.
 
Your breakthrough doesn’t start with your bank account — it starts in your mind.

About the Author

Yara N. Ortiz is the owner & CEO of Bookkeeping Consulting Services (BCS) and the founder of Money Moves with Yara. She is the host of the TV show Badass Mama Moves, a space where she brings real, relatable conversations to support and uplift single mamas. Yara is also a 3x int’l best-selling author, award-winning author & speaker, and a successful nonprofit financial consultant & master personal financial coach.

As a financial consultant, she’s helped numerous nonprofits build a strong foundation and structure their financial management systems. With 14+ years of experience in nonprofit financial management, she deeply understands their unique challenges. Yara’s perspective is shaped by her lived experiences and upbringing in Puerto Rico & the Bronx, NY. Before establishing her company, she served as the Director of Finance & HR at a charter school in her community.

As a personal financial coach, I help single moms take control of their money, make confident decisions, and build a life of independence by digging into their financial situation, creating a strategic budget plan where they can systematically come out of debt, put their money to work & build financial stability.

While BCS specializes in nonprofits and personal financial coaching, we also support small businesses with their financial management needs.

When she’s not hard at work for her clients, Yara treasures spending time with her son, soaking up the sun at the beach, or enjoying a good Zumba session.

Struggling with managing your finances? BCS is here to help!

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