10 Quotes to Transform Your Money Habits

1. “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Planning is the step right before action. Don’t wish for a solid financial future – plan for it to happen.

2. “The goal isn’t more money. The goal is living life on your terms.” – Chris Brogan

The end goal is not more money for the sake of having more money. The end goal is freedom to choose how you spend your time and who you spend that time with. That does not require endless piles of money with no purpose – it requires enough money for you to live life on your terms.

3. “Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it, and watch the whole transform.” – Rene Descartes

Find a difficulty – a weakness, an obstacle – in your finances. Tracking your spending? Consistently saving? Paying off debt? Break it down to the simplest form to make sense of the problem. Once you have a full understanding, the solution will be right in front of you.

4. “Predicting the future with any degree of certainty is impossible. The key is to react accordingly to any situation that arises.” – Don Connelly

Markets will fluctuate. Economies will boom and bust. Unexpected expenses will pop up. Although no one has the crystal ball telling you how much your 401(k) will be worth when you retire, make sure you have the resources to react to whatever financial situation arises.

5. “Doctors know needles hurt. They give shots nonetheless. Why? Because they know that little bit of discomfort up front leads to miracles down the road.” – Don Connelly

A tetanus shot is not pleasant. Proper management of finances is not easy and consistent investing is not glamorous. But – the discomfort of making healthy financial choices now leads to financial stability down the road.

6. “Financial security and independence are like a three-legged stool resting on savings, insurance and investments.” – Brian Tracy

Investments build wealth. Insurance protects wealth. Savings offer flexibility. All three components are key for financial security and independence.

Step 1: Fund your short-term and emergency savings.

Step 2: Verify that you have the right type of insurance policies and coverage for your situation.

Step 3: Invest money for your long-term goals like retirement and your child’s college tuition.

7. “There is nothing wrong with changing a plan when the situation has changed.” – Seneca the Younger

Plans change – be intentional to adjust your finances with them.

8. “One or two small decisions can make a big difference over time.” – Allison Vanaski

The small decisions – opening retirement savings plan, paying $50 extra on your car loan, increasing your savings contribution by 1% each year – are what add up. By making healthy financial decisions, you are setting healthy financial habits. Healthy financial habits lead to a healthier financial future.

9. “But you have to do what you dream of doing even while you’re afraid.” – Arianna Huffington

Think about the career change you’ve always dreamed of but would result in less money. You can crunch the numbers. You can give yourself a rough idea of how it can work out financially. In the end, you’ll have to choose which one is greater – your passion for the dream or the fear keeping you in place.

10. “Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant.” – P.T. Barnum

Money as master: Money is telling you what to do and how to feel. That looks like paying late fees and overdraft charges, overspending, and feeling stress about money.

Money as servant: You choose what you do with and how you feel about money. That looks like intentional spending and saving, balancing short-term enjoyment with long-term stability, and feeling peace about money.