Preparation & Empowerment

The Journey to Financial Fitness: Where Personal Growth Meets Healthy Money Habits

Achieving financial fitness is more than just crunching numbers—it’s about fostering a healthy money habits that align with your personal growth journey.

Achieving financial fitness is more than just crunching numbers—it’s about fostering healthy money habits that align with your personal growth journey. Much like physical fitness, financial fitness requires consistent effort, the right mindset, and a focus on long-term well-being. It also requires the willingness to learn and grow.

Hate to break it to you, there is no overnight quick fix for getting your finances in order. But by adopting a wellness-focused approach to managing your finances, you can create healthy habits and a lifestyle that reflects your values and goals, as well as a solid foundation for personal growth and financial security.

Let’s explore how to build financial fitness through actionable steps and strategies that strengthen your money mindset, cultivate discipline, and empower you to make meaningful financial decisions.

Money Mindset Fundamentals

Like health and fitness goals the key to healthy money habits is consistency and intentionality.

Cultivating a Positive Money Mindset

Your relationship with money begins in your mind. Just as an athlete visualizes success before a competition, financial fitness starts with mental preparation. Like Tony Robbins says, “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible”.

Below are some suggestions on how to plant some firmer roots in your money mindset.

  • Address Limiting Beliefs: Reflect on negative money narratives, such as “I’ll never have enough” or “I’m bad with money.” Replace them with affirmations like “I am capable of achieving financial success” or “I am worth having a healthy relationship with money.”
  • Breaking Through Money Stories: Our earliest memories of money shape our current financial behaviors. Perhaps you grew up hearing “money doesn’t grow on trees” or “rich people are greedy.” These limiting beliefs act like mental weights, holding back your financial potential. The first step to financial fitness is identifying and challenging these narratives.
  • Practice Gratitude: Make it a habit to list three things you’re grateful for about your financial situation, whether it’s a steady income, an emergency fund, or educating yourself/talking about money. Regularly acknowledge the financial resources you have. Gratitude helps shift focus from scarcity to abundance, fostering a healthier outlook.
  • Visualize Abundance: Instead of focusing on what you lack, focus on the possibilities. Picture the financial life you aspire to and the steps you’ll take to achieve it. Imagine how financial security feels and looks in your daily life. Shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance perspective transforms how you approach money. Instead of thinking “I can’t afford it,” ask yourself “How can I make this possible?” This subtle shift opens up creative solutions and opportunities you might have otherwise missed.

This transformation starts with understanding that financial wellness isn’t just about numbers. Many of us have limiting beliefs about money that hold us back from achieving financial success.  These beliefs often stem from childhood experiences, society narratives, or past financial mistakes. Your thoughts and beliefs about money truly have a profound impact on your financial behavior.  T

Transforming limiting beliefs into empowering ones can not only set the foundation for a healthier relationship with money it will shift it.

Embracing Delayed Gratification

Delayed gratification is a key trait and skill of financially successful individuals. It helps you prioritize long-term goals over immediate wants. Once you learn how you can leverage delayed gratification for more sustainable financial growth,

  • Understand the Power of Patience: There is this Stanford study known as the “marshmallow experiment” that found children who could delay gratification tended to have better life outcomes, including financial stability, as adults. Use this principle by visualizing the larger rewards of waiting. For example, instead of impulsively upgrading your phone, think about how saving that money contributes to a dream vacation or early retirement.
  • Build Willpower: Start with small, manageable challenges, like waiting 24 hours before making that purchase at Target or online. Over time, this habit strengthens your self-control muscle. For instance, you might decide to skip buying coffee for a week and redirect those funds to your savings.
  • Create Reward Systems: To make delayed gratification easier, tie rewards to your financial milestones. For example, treat yourself to a guilt-free indulgence, like a spa day, after paying off a credit card or hitting a savings goal.
  • Use Visualization Techniques: Keep a picture of your long-term goal—like your future home or a dream vacation—somewhere visible. Visual cues can keep that commitment alive and up front.

Goal-Setting for Financial Success

Defining clear and actionable financial goals gives you a roadmap to success. Goal-setting is an essential exercise in achieving financial fitness. When these goals align with your values, they become even more powerful.

  • Set CREATE Goals: CREATE goals are like SMART goals with a Create Joy twist. This approach helps you get clear and set doable expectations. Ensure your goals are Conscious, Realistic, Exploratory, Adaptable, Trackable and Exciting (CREATE) For example, “Save $5,000 for my Australia trip in two years.”
  • Align Goals with Values: Reflect on what matters most to you—freedom, security, or growth—and tailor your financial goals accordingly. For instance, if family time is a core value, saving for a flexible work schedule or family vacations might become a priority.
  • Create a Vision Board: Visualize your goals with images and affirmations to keep your motivation high. Include inspiring quotes, pictures of dream destinations, or milestones that resonate with your values.
  • Breaking Goals into Milestones: Divide larger goals into smaller, actionable steps. For example, if your goal is to save $12,000 in a year, break it down into monthly savings of $1,000. Celebrate each milestone to maintain motivation and track your progress.

Developing Financial Discipline

Budgeting and Cash Flow Management

Saying the word budget can make some people cringe, similar to the word diet. A budget should not be about restriction. Think of it as a tool to ensure your money works for you.

  • Creating a Budget: Start by listing all sources of income and expenses. Use tools like spreadsheets or apps to categorize and track your spending. Include categories for essentials, discretionary spending, and savings to create a comprehensive financial picture. Awareness is the first step toward change.
  • Track Spending: Regularly review your expenses to identify areas for optimization. For example, cutting back on unused subscriptions can free up funds for savings or paying off some debt. Consider reviewing your spending weekly to ensure you’re staying on track.
  • Adjust Regularly: Review your budget monthly (or set up a cadence that works for you) and make changes as your priorities evolve. For instance, increase your retirement contributions after receiving a raise.
  • Optimizing Cash Flow: Plan your spending to align with how often you get paid. For instance, schedule bill payments around your paycheck dates to avoid overdrafts. Additionally, pay yourself first with each paycheck and put a certain amount toward savings before looking at spending .

Debt Reduction and Elimination

Debt can be a major obstacle to financial fitness, but with a clear plan, you can regain control of your finances.

  • Assessing Debt: List all your debts, including balances, interest rates, and minimum payments. This gives you a clear picture of your obligations. 
  • Prioritize Debt: Use the snowball method (focus on smaller debts first) or the avalanche method (tackle high-interest debts first). Choose the approach that not only motivates you yet will keep you going in the right direction.
  • Avoiding New Debt: Commit to using cash or debit cards for spending. Consider setting a no-spend challenge for a month to reset spending habits.
  • Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge each debt paid off as a significant achievement. Consider sharing your success with a supportive community like Create Joy to amplify your momentum.

Saving and Investing Consistently

Saving and investing are the cornerstones of long-term financial health. Here are a couple of tools and strategies to help you establish regular financial habits,

  • Automate Savings: Set up automatic transfers to savings and retirement accounts. For instance, direct 10% of your paycheck to go directly into a high-yield savings account. Most employers have it where you can allocate a certain percentage or amount to different bank accounts.
  • Build an Emergency Fund: Aim for 3-6 months of living expenses for unexpected situations like job loss or medical costs. Break this goal into smaller milestones to make it more manageable.
  • Invest Regularly: Start small, contribute consistently, and diversify your portfolio to reduce risk. Leverage tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s or IRAs to maximize growth.  Research investment strategies that align with your risk tolerance and financial goals.

Expanding Your Financial Knowledge

Learning About Personal Finance

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to managing money. By educating yourself, you can make informed financial decisions.

  • Consume Educational Content: Read books like Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap or listen to finance podcasts such as So Money by Farnoosh Torabi. These resources provide actionable advice tailored to women.
  • Seeking Advice: Work with financial advisors or attend workshops. For example, a CPA can help you optimize tax strategies. A financial coach can help you with your money mindset. Seek out mentors or peers who can share their financial experiences and insights.
  • Joining Communities: Participate in personal finance forums or groups where members share tips and experiences. Engage in discussions to learn from diverse perspectives and real-life scenarios. There is a space for this in the Create Joy community for this reason. The more we talk about it the more we grow and shift our relationship with money.

Developing Financial Literacy

Understanding financial concepts empowers you to make informed decisions.

  • Master the Basics: Learn about budgeting, interest rates, and investing. Understand how compound interest works in both saving and debt. For example, understanding how compound interest works can motivate you to invest early.
  • Practical Applications: Apply financial principles to everyday scenarios. For example, use a budget to allocate income and monitor progress toward your savings goals. Experiment with financial simulations to test strategies without risk or a risk level you are comfortable with.
  • Apply Knowledge: Use your understanding to optimize your finances, whether it’s negotiating bills, reviewing your credit report, or evaluating when you are ready to buy a house.

Cultivating Financial Wellness

Balancing Needs & Wants

Striking a balance between needs and wants is vital for financial wellness. It is not about denying yourself but about making thoughtful decisions that enhance both your present well-being and future security..

  • Mindful Spending: Before purchasing, ask yourself if the item fulfills a need or a fleeting want/desire. Recognizing the difference can prevent unnecessary spending. For example, brewing coffee at home instead of buying daily lattes can save hundreds annually. 
  • Finding Fulfillment Beyond Material Possessions: Focus on experiences, relationships  or personal growth. For instance, investing in a course can provide long-term benefits compared to purchasing a trendy gadget. Reflect on past purchases and identify which brought lasting satisfaction.
  • Creating a “Fun Fund”: Allocate a small portion of your budget for guilt-free spending. This allows you to enjoy life without derailing your financial goals. Regularly review and adjust the amount based on your financial situation.

Integrating Finances and Lifestyle

Financial decisions should align with your values and lifestyle priorities. Here are some things to think about when striving for that balance,

  • Aligning Decisions with Values: For instance, if sustainability is important, choose investments or purchases that reflect eco-friendly practices. Evaluate whether your spending habits reflect your core beliefs.
  • Achieve Work-Life-Money Balance: Evaluate how your financial goals intersect with your career and overall happiness. Set boundaries that protect your time and energy while achieving your financial objectives. For example, a higher-paying job with a longer commute may not align with your desire for family time. Consider alternative career paths that align with both financial and personal goals.
  • Practicing Minimalism: Simplify your life by reducing clutter and focusing on what truly adds value. For example, instead of buying more clothes, invest in quality pieces that last longer. Regularly declutter and donate unused items to maintain simplicity.

Intentionality, Consistency & Growth

Financial fitness is a journey that requires intentionality, consistency, and a focus on growth. By cultivating the right mindset, setting meaningful goals, and developing financial discipline (aka healthy money habits), you can achieve a sense of empowerment and stability. Expand your knowledge, align your finances with your values, and embrace the wellness-focused approach that ties it all together.

Start today with one small step—whether it’s creating a budget, setting a savings goal, or reframing a limiting belief about money. Over time, these small actions will compound into significant progress, bringing you closer to the financial life you desire and deserve.

As a CPA and advocate for personal development, I’ve seen firsthand how financial fitness can transform lives. Remember, you’re not just building wealth—you’re crafting a life that reflects your fullest potential.

Meet the Author

Further Reading Related to Preparation & Empowerment

Message sent

Join our newsletter to download our free personal growth resource!

Stay up to date with Create Joy by having new content delivered to your inbox. As a thank you you’ll gain instant access to our free Personal Growth: 30 Day Comfort Zone Challenge resource!

A note to our visitors

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our updated privacy policy.