If you’ve been dreaming about financial freedom but can’t seem to make real progress, you’re not alone. Many of the clients I’ve coached over the years have come to me feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and frustrated. They know they should be saving, investing, or getting serious about their money, but their money mindset blocks keep stopping them.
And here’s the truth: procrastination is often just the tip of the iceberg. There are deeper money mindset blocks—hidden beliefs, fears, and habits—that keep even the smartest, most capable people stuck.
The good news? Every single one of these blocks can be overcome. Let’s take a closer look at what might be holding you back and how to move past it.
Block #1: Lack of Clarity—No Clear Financial Vision
One of the most common reasons people don’t make progress is that they don’t have a clear picture of what financial freedom actually looks like for them. Without a destination, how can you chart a path?
I worked with a client named Sarah who told me, “I just want to feel secure with money.” But when we drilled down, she realized she had never really thought about what “security” meant in concrete terms. We created a vision together: being debt-free, having six months of savings, and the ability to work part-time by age 55. That clarity made it easy to set priorities and take action.
Tip: Ask yourself: What would my life look like if I didn’t have to work for money? How much do I actually need? By when? Once you know this, you can break it down into manageable steps.
Block #2: Limiting Beliefs About Money
Many of us carry unconscious money beliefs from childhood—beliefs that quietly sabotage our success.
One client, Tom, grew up hearing his parents say, “Rich people are greedy.” Even as an adult, he felt uncomfortable earning or saving beyond a certain point. It wasn’t until we identified his money mindset blocks and rewrote this belief that he started allowing himself to build wealth.
Tip: Write down the money beliefs you heard growing up. Are they true? Are they helping or hurting you? Replace them with empowering beliefs like: “I deserve financial abundance.” “Money allows me to do good in the world.” Changing your beliefs changes your results.
Block #3: Fear of Taking Risks
Fear of the unknown is a huge block for many people, especially when it comes to investing. They worry they’ll lose money or make the wrong choice—so they do nothing.
I worked with a woman named Elena who had kept all her money in cash for over 10 years. When we explored her fears, she admitted she didn’t feel “smart enough” to invest. I introduced her to Vanguard.com and showed her how to start with just $100 in a simple index fund. She automated her monthly contributions, and after the first few months, her confidence soared.
Tip: Start small. Even investing a tiny amount can help you break the inertia. Consider using a robo-advisor or beginner-friendly platform. The most important step is just getting started.
Block #4: Emotional Spending
For so many of us, spending is not about need—it’s about emotion. Shopping to soothe stress, celebrate, or fill boredom is incredibly common.
One of my clients, Lisa, realized she was spending nearly $400 a month on online shopping after tough workdays. We identified that what she really craved was comfort and relaxation—not more stuff. She swapped shopping for walks, bubble baths, and social time with friends. She cut her spending in half and funneled the savings straight into her new FIRE fund.
Tip: Take my free Emotional Needs Quiz to discover what emotional needs are driving your spending. Once you find healthier ways to meet those needs, saving becomes effortless.
Block #5: Perfectionism—The All-or-Nothing Trap
I see this money mindset block a lot, especially with high-achievers. If people can’t do something perfectly, they often don’t do it at all.
One client, Ben, told me he was waiting to start investing until he could “do it right”—which, for him, meant reading countless books and taking courses. The problem? He never felt ready. I encouraged him to start messy—he opened an account, invested a small amount, and learned as he went. Today, he’s on track to retire by 50.
Tip: Give yourself permission to start imperfectly. Tiny steps matter. You can refine your strategy later, but only if you take action now.
Block #6: Lifestyle Creep
Lifestyle creep is sneaky. As you earn more, you start spending more—without even noticing. Raises turn into bigger homes, fancier cars, and more dinners out. Before you know it, your savings haven’t budged.
I had a client, Amy, who got a major promotion but felt just as stressed financially. Together, we built an automation system: every raise or bonus would send 50% straight to savings before she even saw it. Within a year, her net worth doubled—without sacrificing her lifestyle.
Tip: Automate your savings immediately when your income grows. Don’t wait. This is how you achieve financial independence without feeling deprived.
Block #7: Lack of Financial Literacy
Many people stay stuck because they simply don’t know where to begin. The world of investing, saving, and financial planning can feel overwhelming and technical.
One of my clients, Mark, was 52 when he first started thinking about retirement. He felt embarrassed that he “didn’t know anything.” We started with the book Your Money or Your Life and paired it with the actionable tools from my book, Coach Yourself to Success. Within months, he had automated his savings, opened his first Vanguard account, and was well on his way to catching up.
Tip: Commit to learning just one small thing each week. Read a chapter, watch a video, or take a course like my FIRE Course. You don’t have to know everything to get started—you just have to start.
Your Next Steps to Financial Freedom
Here’s the truth: you are closer than you think. Every client I’ve worked with who broke through these money mindset blocks saw results—some faster than they imagined possible.
- Automate something today: savings, investing, or debt payoff.
- Explore Vanguard.com to open your first investment account.
- Take my Emotional Needs Quiz to understand your spending patterns.
- Read Your Money or Your Life or revisit the money strategies in Coach Yourself to Success.
- Join the Financial Independence, Retire Early Course to map out your full path to freedom. This course gives you the exact step-by-step system to help you get to financial independence, no matter where you’re starting from.
The most important thing? Start. Even the tiniest action can set a new future in motion.
