Do You Have a Broke Mentality? That’s Not Baller

When I say broke mentality, I mean that in every sense of the phrase. Being broke, claiming to be broke, thinking broke, or spending like you have a money tree in your backyard when in all actuality, you are BROKE! This blog was inspired by the comment of baller alert reader, listing all the things that was going wrong financially in the reader’s life. As I read the comment in full, I came to the realization that the reader was simply thinking like they were broke. And, if you do a little research of your own, you will find that every wealthy person has a wealthy mentality and had that mentality before they accumulated their wealth in money. Since wealth encompasses an entire lifestyle (health, relationships, spirituality, money, etc) it is very important to strive for overall wealth, and not just the riches money will bring. So how do you know if you have a “broke” mentality? Here are just a few signals you can reference, and use to make a change in your life today.

Thinking Broke: thinking things like, “I never have any money” or “I’m always broke” will always keep you in that same broke situation. We are what we think about all day long, and if you worry about how broke you are, you will never be wealthy. Instead, try thinking of all the things you are grateful for. Starting off by saying things like, “I’m so thankful all my bills are paid” or “I’m feeling prosperous today since I’ve been financially responsible”. Having a feeling of gratitude will enable you to receive more of anything, even money.

Acting selfish, as if there will never be enough: People who don’t give away will always be broke, because they never put anything out and therefore won’t be able to receive anything. It is important to give away, not just to charities or the homeless, but it could be your neighbor down the street who may need that cup of sugar. Hoarding your sugar won’t make you any richer, and keeping it from your neighbor won’t make you any more sugar rich than them. The truth is, there is enough sugar to go around (the sugar is a metaphor for anything), so if you think there is a scarce amount of things to go around, you have a broke mentality, because there is plenty.

Spending money you don’t have: This is a favorite of black people, as we are conditioned consumers, which means that America has tricked us, via commercials and advertisements, into thinking that we need everything we see on TV to keep up with those Jones’. Spending money you don’t have will eventually lead you to not have anything to spend; it will always be that way. Spend within your means, be grateful for your means, and aspire for more! Don’t spend money on things to impress people you don’t even like, and run yourself into debt in the meantime, because then your mind will always be on the debt you owe and never on the enjoyment of that new BMW you just purchased.

Being cheap: Cheap people spend cheaply too…which means you might as well be broke because you can’t be both cheap and wealthy. If you go out and by 25 cheap pairs of shoes, not only do you have bad taste, but you have cheap taste. If the amount of those 25 pairs of shoes can equal up to 3 or 4 very well made shoes that will last, then quality trumps quantity any day of the week. That one, tailor made to perfection suit that cost a pretty penny, will show people you care about your appearance as opposed to having various suits in different colors, but they make you look like you’re going to traffic court. Being cheap is synonymous with acting broke. Spending within your means is not being cheap, it is being smart.

Wealth accumulation starts with your mindset. Don’t let a broke mindset, keep you broke! And don’t let your current circumstances define you. Instead, know what you want, believe it will happen, be grateful for all you have, and welcome more!