Use these money journaling prompts to process your thoughts about your relationship with money.
Our thoughts can be like an unorganized closet–messy and difficult to access. Sometimes it’s best to just take down all of the clothes and reorganize them.
In the same way, a money journal can help you make sense of your innermost feelings about your finances. It can also help you create a vision for how you want your life to look.
What is a money journal?
A money journal is a place where you write down your thoughts and feelings about your relationship with money. And it doesn’t have to be a physical notebook–you can keep a money journal on your laptop, tablet, or phone.
Benefits of a money journal
A money journal can help you identify some of the limiting beliefs that you may have about money. It can also help you get excited about the potential that money has to positively impact your life!
There are many studies that show that journaling can reduce stress and anxiety. So beyond getting your finances in order, a money journal can also be great for your mental health.
9 Money Journal Prompts + Example Responses
1. What are some of your earliest memories about money?
I remember receiving a piggy bank on my 3rd birthday from my grandpa. He told me that whenever I receive money, I should put it in this piggy bank, and that one day, I could put it in a real bank…
When I was a toddler, I remember my mom and dad fighting about a past due electric bill…
When I was a kid, I remember opening an envelope from my classmate at my birthday party. There was a $50 bill inside! I remember thinking “Wow, his family must be rich…”
2. What is your relationship like with money today?
I am working on improving my relationship with money so that I don’t feel a huge sense of dread every time the first of the month approaches…
I used to feel so bad every time I would spend a few dollars at my favorite juice bar on my way to work, but it was the one thing that gave me joy on my way to a soul-sucking job. I’ve learned that it’s OK to spend money on things you value! However, it also means that I have to stop spending on frivolous things–for example, I recently discovered I had been paying for a health app subscription for the past 6 months but I never opened up the app after the first month!
3. What are your money goals and what steps are you taking towards them?
I would like to retire by age 50. I am saving 40% of my income and working on gaining more skills so I can increase my income by at least 10% by the end of next year.
I want to take my mom, stepdad, and brother to my mom’s favorite restaurant for her birthday. The average bill for a table of 4 is $300+ dollars so I will have to cut back on eating out this month…
I’d like to pay off my student loans by March 1, 2027. I am directing 15% of my paycheck to these payments each and every month. I’m also trying to increase my income by taking on at least 2 more freelance projects each quarter.
4. What is your relationship with shopping?
When I go to Target, I have a shopping list of essentials, but I almost always end up browsing the aisles and buying things I hadn’t planned to buy. When I get home, I feel really guilty, and usually end up returning items.
My relationship with shopping has improved so much since I started delaying gratification! If there is something I really like, I will wait 1 week–if I still want it after a week, I buy it, but most of the time I realize it was an impulse buy…
I do a good job of cutting back on things like coffee and clothing purchases. But then I’ll spend a ton of money on a high-ticket item, and it’s frustrating…
5. What prevents you from being confident with money?
I feel like I wasn’t taught much about personal finance growing up. There is so much information out there, I’m not sure where to start…
I know I’m paid below my market value but I don’t feel qualified to apply for other opportunities…
I’m not very organized so I don’t have a clear picture of my financial situation. I avoid getting organized because I’m afraid of what I’ll discover…
6. What are things you love and how can you 2x spending here? 10x?
I love matcha lattes. I get at least 1 a week but having that to look forward to 3 times a week would be AMAZING!
I enjoy traveling. It would be nice to do a long-haul flight in business class…
I love to cook and want to take a sushi rolling class. It would even be cool to do a cooking class a few times a year!
7. What kind of messages do the people closest to me send about money?
My best friend complains about her car payments, rent, etc. all the time. But when we go out to eat, she’s the first person so say “You only live once!” and order the most expensive thing on the menu.
My boyfriend is SO cheap–one time I had to walk 10 blocks in heels with him because the Uber was too expensive. It made me feel like my comfort wasn’t a priority to him.
One of my coworkers is one of the highest paid guys in the whole company and is someone I really admire. He drives a really old car but takes two weeks off a year to go on a private scuba diving excursion in locations Australia and Thailand. In conversation, he mentioned that he spent over $10K on his last trip! I think it’s cool that he’s not afraid to spend money on his passions…
My uncle retired in his 50s and says that in order to enjoy life later, you have to make sacrifices early on. I agree to an extent, but I also know that tomorrow is not promised. I guess it’s about finding a balance that makes sense…
8. What are some ways I can use money to enhance my relationships?
My partner is an accountant and I want to take her on a trip to Key West once tax season is over. She works really hard and deserves a treat!
One of my old coworkers served as a reference for me and helped me get a new job! I want to take them out for lunch.
I want to be able to send some food over to a friend who is grieving the loss of a loved one.
9. What do you think is the biggest benefit of having money?
The ability to say “yes” more. I often have to turn invitations down because I can’t afford to participate…
Not having anxiety attacks when an unexpected expense pops up…
Not having to trade your time for money…
Having the best of everything. I want to be able to buy things that will last a long time instead of breaking after a few uses…
Final Thoughts
These are just a few prompts to get the ball rolling but feel free to come up with your own.
Taking the time to process your thoughts about money is an important part of the journey to gain control of your finances.
And if you want more?
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