Thankful for What We Have: Cultivating a Gratitude Mindset Around Money

Nov 26

being thankful for our money is an important part of any financial practice — *Cultivating gratitude for money is an important part of healing your money mindset and practicing abundance.*

Reflect on financial blessings

Reflecting on our financial achievements plays an important role in our happiness and well-being. We all have reasons to be grateful for our money. Take 5 minutes and journal about your financial achievements or blessings this year and recognize how they have brought happiness to your life.

Acknowledge the times when your financial choices have brought you peace or helped you feel secure. These moments, no matter how small, are worth celebrating because they reflect personal growth and self-care.

Here are a few of mine from this year:

I am grateful that my money allowed me to have an amazing trip to Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks with my husband. We had an incredible week of hiking and seeing natural phenomena that don’t exist anywhere else in the world.

seeing this geyser was an amazing experience, and it was only possible because of regular, monthly savings that helped us pay for this trip — I’m grateful that money allowed me to take this amazing National Park trip with my husband. I haven’t once thought about the $4,000 that we spent on the trip. Instead, I remember the amazing memories we made together.

I am grateful that my money helped me treat my mom to a birthday dinner at a nice restaurant. We had a delicious French meal and enjoyed quality mother-daughter time together.

I am grateful that my money helped me travel to attend a family member’s wedding. I was happy to be there to celebrate their special day.
I am grateful my emergency fund helped us pay for my husband’s unexpected surgery. Because of our emergency fund, we were able to easily pay the bill and focus on the most important thing - his recovery.

Reframing financial challenges

Nobody likes to fail, but we all do it. Financial setbacks are a part of life, and every wealthy person has had them. The important part is resilience. In order to bounce back from financial setbacks, it’s important to reflect on what you’ve learned.

What happened and why?

Was it preventable?

What systems can you put into place so it doesn’t happen again?

For example:

What happened and why?

I was rear-ended on the highway and had to have my car towed. It cost $500 and I had to put it on my credit card because I don’t have the money in savings.

Was it preventable?

No, I was driving safely and paying attention and the person behind me was culpable.

What systems could you put into place so it doesn’t happen again?

I could get roadside assistance insurance to make the bill cheaper and I could build an emergency fund that could help cover unexpected expenses.

Reframing budget constraints

Although I teach non-restrictive budgets, it’s a simple fact of life that we can have anything we want, but not everything. Many people simply say “yes” to too many purchases, leading to overspending and debt.

If you have a tight budget, try reframing “I don’t have money for this” to “I’m choosing to prioritize other things”. “I don’t have money for this” shuts down our brains and prevents creative thinking, making us feel small and less than the best version of ourselves. What’s more, it shames us for not having the money, as if we have failed in some way. By using the phrase “I’m choosing to prioritize other things”, you’re reminding yourself that you do have the money for the things you value most in life.

Another way to reframe expenses is by replacing “I have to” with “I get to”. Instead of saying, “I have to pay my rent”, say “I get to pay my rent to live in this beautiful apartment in my favorite city”. Sometimes small shifts in our language can make a huge difference in our perception.

Using money for generosity

In the spirit of the season, consider focusing on how your money can cultivate non-material abundance in your life and others’. Donating to causes you care about - whether it’s local shelters or national organizations - allows you to use your financial power to be a force of good in the world.

Additionally, think about other ways you could give back to your community, like supporting small businesses and community events. These acts of generosity not only help others, but also show how your money can be used to affect the change you want to see in the world. Let your money be a tool for kindness, generosity and compassion, inspiring those around you to join in the spirit of giving.

Final thoughts

As we approach Thanksgiving, take time to recognize how gratitude can transform your relationship with money. Financial abundance isn’t just about wealth accumulation—it’s also about recognizing and celebrating the ways in which our money serves us, brings us joy, and supports others.

By reflecting on our financial achievements, reframing challenges, and practicing generosity, we can begin to build a more mindful and positive outlook on our finances.

Embrace this season of gratitude by fostering a financial mindset that encourages happiness, growth, and fulfillment. In doing so, we open ourselves to a richer, more meaningful financial journey, guided by appreciation and purpose.

Your life may not be perfect, but it is imperfectly yours. The only way to live it is your way.