There is such a negative perception of money and what it does for people. A lot of our spending habits come from what we were taught by those who were important to us. How should you start changing what you learn and put new habits in place? What do you start to examine first?
Your post makes a couple of astute observations and asks a couple of powerful questions. Let's take it one step at a time. You asked what you should start to examine first if you want to change your behavior with money. As you mentioned, our money beliefs are most often shaped by others...our family, friends, church, etc. If your beliefs control your actions, and actions repeated become habits, the place to begin if you want to change your money habits is in challenging your money beliefs. You indicated you feel that many of our beliefs about money are negative. Why do you feel that way, can you be more specific?
I grew up in a very religious home and remember hearing lessons on how money is the root of all evil and that rich people have to give up everything to be spiritual. It was even taught that being rich or trying to become wealthy was bad. I hear other people teach that money is power. I also have often heard that power corrupts. My question is hHow do you know which money beliefs are right and how do you change your beliefs?
It sounds like you have heard both extremes when it comes to money. It's the root of all of evil and it's the answer to all of man's problems. It all can seem quite confusing if you let it get to you. I think that the real truth lies somewhere in the middle. Money is not the root of all evil, but the love or worship of money can cause all kinds of problems in a persons life. Also money can't solve all of mankind's problems, it can help but we also have to have love for our fellow man. As far as which money beliefs are right only you can decide that for yourself. A good test is to ask yourself if your currrent beliefs are working for you. Is your life the way you want it to be, or you happy and prosperous? If not it's a good bet that your beliefs are at least somewhat misguided. Take some time to examine each of your beliefs closer, without fear or judgement. Often we are so dogmatic in our beliefs we never search openly for the truth, but always remember there is nothing to fear from the truth - in fact it can set you free.
