10 Ways To Rethink Money and Keep More of It

Do you ever feel like money just disappears, even when you’re trying to be careful with your spending?

I used to feel that way all the time. I’d think, “I didn’t even buy anything big this month – where did it all go?” But once I started paying closer attention, I realized that I didn’t need to change how much money I was making. I needed to change how I thought about money.

Over the years, I’ve learned that small mindset changes can make a huge difference on your bank account and help you save more money. And, you don’t need to make giant sacrifices, start living like a minimalist, or be unhappy with your life.

Best Money Mindset Changes That Will Change How You See Spending

Below are the best ways to rethink money so that you can save more!

1. Think in hours spent working, not just dollars

I do this mindset habit all the time, even to this day.

Before you spend money, ask yourself how many hours of work it takes to earn that amount. For example, if you make $20 an hour, a $1,000 phone isn’t just a small item – it’s 50 hours of your life.

Once I started doing this, I paused before making impulse buys. When I was younger, I actually had a bit of a spending issue, and I eventually started thinking this way about my spending. So, before I would buy a new clothing item, I would ask myself, “Is this item really worth an entire day’s worth of work?”

Usually, the answer was no.

This easy mindset change helps you see the true cost of your purchases – not just in money, but in time and energy.

2. Look at monthly costs as yearly costs

That $30 monthly subscription might not feel like much, but over a year?

That’s $360.

Now imagine you have three of those subscriptions. That’s over $1,000 a year on things you might barely use. When you start thinking in yearly terms, it becomes easier to find the expenses that you don’t actually need.

This one mindset change alone helped me cancel a few things that I barely noticed were on autopay.

3. Small wins add up

I feel like people tend to think big, like: “I need to save $10,000!”

But the truth is, small actions can create momentum and help you save money. Putting away $10 a day may not sound like success to you, but it adds up to $3,650 a year.

Now, that’s a lot of money, right?

That could cover a vacation, an emergency fund, or a major car repair.

Instead of thinking, “This isn’t enough to matter,” remind yourself that every small win is a step in the right direction.

Recommended reading: A No Spend Challenge Can Reset Your Finances – Here’s How To Do It

4. Understand the true cost of credit card debt

If you have a $5,000 balance on a credit card with 20% interest and only make minimum payments, it could take 10+ years to pay off – and you’ll likely pay double in interest.

That is a crazy long time.

So, before you spend money on something that you can’t pay for without a credit card, make sure you think long and hard about it – is it worth being in debt and having to pay for it with interest?

Recommended reading: How Do Credit Cards Work? I Answer The Most Important Questions

5. Start an emergency fund (even a small one)

You don’t need to have six months of expenses saved to start feeling secure.

Even $500 to $1,000 in a separate savings account can be life-changing.

That small cushion can save you more times than you can count. A flat tire, a surprise bill, or even just a week where life feels overwhelming – having an emergency fund means that you don’t have to use a credit card.

6. Rethink the “latte effect” (without the guilt)

Now, I’m not saying that you need to cut out your favorite coffee or treat yourself less.

But it helps to be aware of how small daily purchases can impact your long-term goals.

For example: $5 a day on coffee = $150/month = $1,800/year.

So, I want you to think about this: Is it worth it to you?

If it brings you joy and fits in your budget, go for it. But if you’re trying to save for something bigger, small changes can get you there faster.

7. Your future self will thank you

Every $100 you invest today can turn into hundreds or even thousands down the road.

I like to ask myself, “Will future me be glad I spent this money today?” Sometimes the answer is yes – and sometimes it’s a clear no. Thinking this way has helped me prioritize saving and investing over short-term spending.

Future You is counting on Present You to make smart choices.

Recommended reading: 7 Steps To Figure Out How Much You Need To Retire Comfortably

8. Time is a nonrefundable resource

Money comes and goes. Time doesn’t.

I used to think I needed to make more money constantly to get ahead. But eventually I realized that being smarter with my money meant I didn’t have to trade all my time to earn it.

I started focusing more on what I wanted my life to look like, not just what I wanted to buy. That one change helped me design a life that felt way more fulfilling.

Recommended reading: If Money Wasn’t an Issue, What Would You Do With Your Life?

9. Negotiate more than you think you can

Did you know your bills are usually negotiable?

You can call your internet provider, phone company, or even insurance provider and ask for a better rate. I’ve saved hundreds this way. You can also ask for discounts on medical bills, credit card interest rates, and more.

And this ties right back to #2: If you think of your bills in yearly terms, it becomes easier to see how helpful negotiating can be. For example, a $25 monthly discount might not seem like much, but that’s $300 a year!

This mindset shift can also help you decide whether it’s worth making the call. If something only takes 15 minutes to negotiate but saves you hundreds?

Totally worth it.

Recommended reading: 10 Monthly Bills You Can Negotiate Today

10. Redefine what being rich means to you

When I was younger, I thought that being rich meant having fancy cars, a big house, or luxury vacations.

I definitely do not believe this anymore.

Over time, I have learned that real wealth is about freedom.

Freedom to spend your time how you want. Freedom to work less if you choose. Freedom to say yes (or no) without money being the deciding factor.

When I started measuring success by freedom instead of stuff, I felt way more content, in control, and happy with life.

Recommended reading: How To Become Rich – Strategies To Become Wealthy

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions that you may have.

Do I have to stop spending money on things I enjoy?

Nope! This article isn’t about depriving yourself – it’s about making sure your spending reflects what actually matters to you. If your favorite coffee or streaming subscription brings you joy and fits your budget, that’s okay. These tips just help you be more intentional with your money.

What’s the difference between budgeting and money mindset changes?

Budgeting is about tracking what you spend. Money mindset shifts help you understand why you spend the way you do – and how to make better choices in the future. When your mindset changes, budgeting gets easier.

I live paycheck to paycheck. Can mindset changes still help me?

Yes! These mindset changes are helpful even when money is tight because they help you make the most of what you have. Learning to question expenses and focus on long-term goals can reduce money stress, even if your income doesn’t change right away.

How do I stick with these changes long term?

It helps to track your progress and celebrate small wins. You can also set reminders (like waiting 24 hours before buying something over $100), unsubscribe from marketing emails, or set a “no-spend” day once a week to stay consistent.

Money Mindset Changes That Will Impact How You See Spending – Summary

I hope you enjoyed my article and learned about how thinking about money differently can change your spending habits.

These money mindset changes may seem small, but they can have a huge impact.

They helped me pay off debt, save for emergencies, invest for the future, and most importantly – build a life I love. You don’t need to be perfect or get everything right. Just start by changing the way you see money.

Even one small change can lead to big results.

Which of these money mindset changes do you want to start with this week?

Recommended reading:

• 15 Best Money Books To Help You Change Your Life
• How To Save $10,000 in a Year

The post 10 Ways To Rethink Money and Keep More of It appeared first on Making Sense Of Cents.