How to Transform Your Money Mindset with Judy Wilkins-Smith
Money isn’t just currency; it’s a mirror reflecting our deepest fears, beliefs, and aspirations. On Heal Squad with Maria Menounos, best-selling author and emotional blueprint expert Judy Wilkins-Smith dives into the psychology of money, exploring how our inherited money beliefs shape our financial realities—and how we can change them for good.
The Money Mindset Trap: Are You Stifling Yourself?
For many, financial scarcity isn’t about how much money they have but rather the subconscious beliefs they hold about it. Maria shared how growing up in a household where money was always scarce created a pattern of financial fear—even when she was successful.
“I always thought I was poor even when I wasn’t, because that’s how I was raised,” Maria explained. “There was always this fear that the bottom would fall out.”
Judy calls this inherited fear an emotional money blueprint—the deep-seated programming passed down through generations that dictates how we relate to wealth. Whether it’s the belief that money is hard to earn, that wanting more is selfish, or that financial security is fleeting, these unconscious patterns shape our financial reality more than we realize.
Inherited Money Beliefs: Are They Holding You Back?
Maria’s upbringing, like many others, was shaped by generational financial struggles. Her parents, who grew up in extreme poverty, carried survival-driven money habits into adulthood—habits that Maria unknowingly absorbed.
“The house conversations were always ‘We don’t have enough, we can’t afford it.’ I took that on, even when I was making money,” she said.
Sound familiar? Many of us unconsciously replicate the money patterns we grew up with, whether it’s a scarcity mindset, fear of spending, or guilt around financial success. But as Judy explains, these patterns don’t have to define us.
Rewiring Your Financial Mindset: A Step-by-Step Guide
Judy offers a powerful step-by-step process to break free from limiting beliefs and build a healthy relationship with money:
1. Identify Your Money Patterns
Take a moment to reflect on your financial habits and beliefs. Do you feel guilty when spending money? Are you afraid to invest in yourself? Do you constantly worry about financial security, even when you’re stable?
Judy recommends writing down the phrases you tell yourself about money and tracing them back to their source. Often, they stem from childhood or generational beliefs that no longer serve you.
2. Flip the Narrative
Once you identify your limiting beliefs, actively reframe them. If you grew up hearing “Money doesn’t grow on trees,” replace that with “Money flows to me in abundance.” If you fear spending, practice gratitude for every purchase—acknowledge that money is a tool for growth and joy, not just survival.
3. Start Spending with Intention
Maria shared a recent breakthrough: after years of depriving herself, she finally gave herself permission to buy something she truly wanted—a luxury suitcase. Instead of feeling guilt, she chose to celebrate the purchase, and soon after, unexpected financial opportunities began flowing in.
“When you purchase with fear, that energy sticks,” Judy explains. “But when you purchase with gratitude and excitement, you open the door for more.”
4. Recognize Money as a Relationship
Judy encourages people to think of money as a friend. “Money wants to be loved. If you hide it, fear it, or resent it, it won’t want to stay with you,” she says. A simple daily practice? Say “Good morning, money! Thank you for showing up for me today.”
It may sound silly, but shifting your mindset from fear to appreciation changes how money flows into your life.
5. Dream Bigger and Take Action
Fear of financial instability often keeps people from making bold moves. Maria reflected on how her fear of not having enough kept her playing small for years. Judy’s advice? Flip the switch.
“You can’t dream if you’re stifled. Switch off the money nightmare and turn on the dream,” she says.
Ask yourself: If money weren’t an issue, what would I pursue? What investments would I make in myself and my future? Then, take action—no matter how small.
Final Thoughts: Embracing an Abundance Mindset
Your financial reality is not set in stone. By recognizing inherited patterns, reframing limiting beliefs, and shifting into an abundance mindset, you can change your relationship with money—and your life.
As Judy says, “Money is a master mentor. It will show up for you when you show up for it.”
Start small, stay consistent, and watch how your financial reality transforms.
For more healing and wellness tips, be sure to subscribe to Heal Squad with Maria Menounos via YouTube or Apple Podcasts.
