Financial Journal Prompts to Get You in Your Money Mindset

Hello, readers! Today we’re talking about the most taboo, controversial, uncomfortable topic of all: MONEY. Specifically, how to figure out your financial goals ASAP and start building your dream life now, now later. I’ve created these financial journal prompts to help you nail your goals and start working towards them.

First of all, a little background on me and why I’m bringing this up.

I want to start by saying I’m eternally grateful for everything I’ve been given in life. My parents are wonderful people who worked their asses off to make sure I had everything I needed and a good chunk of what I wanted, too! But I’m a South Asian woman who was raised by South Asian parents, and there was a little bit of a void in our relationship when it came to talking about money. I didn’t learn how to manage money until my mid-20s, after getting myself in (and out) of credit card debt more times than I care to admit. By that point, I already had a full-time job and a big girl salary. Now, I not only feel comfortable talking about money, I think it’s super important to start getting your relationship with money in order as soon as possible. Especially if you have brown girl problems like me.

Money in your 30s can be especially difficult to talk about. Many people carry shame surrounding their spending and saving habits, feeling like they should have figured it out by now. This is such a loaded topic for so many folx, I’ve decided to write a handful of posts about it, starting with some gentle guidance towards thinking about money. We don’t need to dive into the details of creating a nest egg just yet, we can start by simply taking stock of where we’re at. So, if this is you, read on for some financial journal prompts to start approaching your relationship with money and achieving your dream lifestyle!

Financial journal prompts about your relationship with money

1. What does “having enough money” mean to me? Does it mean my bills are covered, or that I’m able to splurge on a big purchase every so often?
2. What feelings come up for me when I think about having enough?
3. What was my upbringing like where money was concerned? What impacts have that had on how I manage money as a grown up?
4. Where can I go for sound money advice? If I don’t have a good money mentor, how can I find resources?
5. What was my relationship with money like last year? How has it developed over time?

Hint: Nerd Wallet is an amazing online resource absolutely loaded with money management tips for your 20s, 30s, and beyond. I’ve learned so many personal finance tips from them that have genuinely changed my life!

Money mindset time: financial journal prompts to identify, create, and keep good spending habits

1. What good spending/financial habits have I developed that I’m proud of? Get specific, because this doesn’t have to be just “spending less.” It could be shopping secondhand, borrowing things you don’t need to own, giving charity, tipping well, investing a small amount, opening a certain type of account, etc.
2. What financial patterns and habits don’t serve me anymore? Consider things like food waste impacting your grocery budget or the way your bills are distributed throughout the month.
3. What’s something I regretted purchasing?
4. What are a few things I’ve purchased that were “money well spent?”
5. Make a list of all your investments! NOT just money you have in the stock market – list degrees, skills you’re learning, stress management or health decisions that makes it easier to save or work (THERAPY COUNTS), etc.
6. Consider each investment and figure out the return. It doesn’t have to be a dollar amount, it could be something as simple as “I wouldn’t be able to keep up with work/school/whatever without this.”

Getting specific: financial journal prompts to figure out your money goals

1. If I could afford one huge thing right now, what would it be? A home, child, or car? A private boat charter on the Amalfi Coast? A dream wedding? Think BIG! What’s your dream lifestyle?
2. What’s my income now? What income sounds good to have in 10 years’ time?
3. How much money do I spend every month? If you don’t know, set a goal to start tracking your expenses.
4. Make a list of all your major monthly bills and add them up.
5. What big purchase would make my life easier right now? This could be a car, a higher level of child care, a cleaning service… but it could also be a personal trainer to keep you on track, a meal prep subscription, or the premium version of a food delivery service.
6. Is there anything I might want in the next ten years that I can start to prepare for?

Hint: always envision what your life would look like after making a big or recurring purchase. If you spring for the meal prep subscription, is it going to free up some meal prep time you could be spending on R&R? Or is it going to be a pain to choose from a handful of specific things to eat every week? Time is my most valuable, nonrenewable resource, so I’m okay with spending some extra money to free up time… but I have to imagine how I’m going to spend my hard-earned time before making the purchase. Otherwise, my time can disappear into the void of productivity. More on THAT another day.

Before you go, I want to tell you one more important thing. Maybe you have big goals. A beautiful wedding, a luxury elopement, adoption, childbirth, a big cosmetic treatment, a house, a new car… These things might seem HUGE and impossible to pay for now, so if you decide to start putting away a little money, celebrate that! Even if it’s just a few bucks every other week. Release the idea that anything is “too little” or “too big.” Instead, start to think of yourself a capable, thoughtful planner who CAN achieve your dreams. Mindset is EVERYTHING, and I hope these financial journal prompts inspire you to start building your dream life. 💙

Need some pointers on what might actually make you happy? Check out Delight 101!