The Beliefs That Shape Your Financial Confidence

When it comes to money, the real power often lies not in your bank account—but in your beliefs. Many women carry around invisible money stories, inherited from childhood, culture, or past experiences, that quietly shape how they feel about earning, spending, and managing money.

This week on Money with Alpha, the conversation took a deeper turn. Instead of talking budgets or investing, we looked at the internal programming that drives our financial behaviour: beliefs. These beliefs can be empowering, but many are outdated stories we never chose, yet unconsciously follow.

Where Do Our Beliefs Come From?

Most beliefs are formed early—especially in our teens and early twenties—when we’re still figuring out who we are. Whether it was a parent’s passing comment, a teacher’s criticism, or society’s expectations, those moments can leave lasting imprints. One client only recently realized how deeply a single conversation from her youth had shaped her sense of worth—and her financial habits.

And here’s the truth: just because a belief feels real doesn’t mean it’s true. Our brains are wired with a negativity bias to protect us from danger. But in today’s world, that instinct often shows up as self-doubt. “I’m not good with money.” “I’ll never understand investing.” Sound familiar?

Are Your Beliefs Holding You Back?

A powerful exercise is to compare your beliefs with your actual results. Do you believe you’re bad at money—but you’ve successfully paid off debt or run a business? That’s a mismatch worth celebrating! Sometimes we’ve already disproven a limiting belief without realizing it. Awareness is the first step toward rewriting the narrative.

In contrast, if your results reflect beliefs you want to change—like always feeling behind financially—it’s time to rewire. Start small. Shift from “I’m terrible with money” to “I’m learning how to manage money.” Add the word yet to the end of limiting thoughts. “I’m not good with investing—yet.”

How to Begin the Shift

1. Get Curious – Ask: Where did this belief come from? Who told me this? Is it really mine?

2. Test It – Look at your actual achievements. Make a “badass list” of everything you’ve overcome, learned, or succeeded at. You’ll likely find proof that contradicts old stories.

3. Reframe It – Turn beliefs into evolving truths. “I used to think I wasn’t good at maths, but now I see I’ve built a successful budget.”

4. Find the Right Support – Not everyone is meant to teach you. Look for mentors, resources, and community who align with your growth.

Changing beliefs is like strengthening a muscle. You don’t need to overhaul your whole mindset overnight. Just keep showing up, choosing better stories, and noticing your progress.

Remember: beliefs are not facts. They’re just thoughts we’ve repeated long enough to become familiar. And the best news? You can choose new ones.

If you’re feeling stuck, don’t do it alone. Reach out. There’s support available, and sometimes just one new insight can create a powerful shift. You’re capable of more than you believe. Let’s make those beliefs match your reality.