Share
23 Money Mantras to Live Your Life By

Achieving financial freedom is no easy task. If you’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck, relying on coupons and dodging bill collectors, you might be in desperate need of some solid money advice to help improve your financial situation.
With that in mind, GOBankingRates asked America’s top money experts to share their money mantras. Consider these quotes the next time you need to make any money decision — big or small. Even better, you could use their words of wisdom to grow your wealth.
Click through to see the experts’ motivational money mantras. With advice ranging from how to take control of your finances to becoming a better investor, these money tips can help you get rich.
I Can Become a Money Master
“Stop being the chess piece, and start being the chess player. It’s time to master the game of money once and for all.” — Tony Robbins
If you want to finally secure financial freedom and get rich, use Robbins’ best money tips.
How to Follow This Mantra
A New York Times No. 1 best-selling author and the author of “Money: Master the Game,” Tony Robbins is certainly a money master. And you can be one too. It starts with taking control of your money.
Robbins has plenty of advice that you can apply to every aspect of your life.
I Am a Money Magnet
“‘I am a money magnet’ — I say it anytime I receive money in my life, a penny on the street or a five-figure paycheck.” — Stefanie O’Connell
Find out how to become a money magnet.
How to Follow This Mantra
Author and millennial money expert Stefanie O’Connell’s money mantra reiterates the power of positive thinking. If you want to make more money, you have to believe that you can become a money magnet.
I Need to Sustain Wealth — Not Just Make Money
“Don’t make money, create wealth. Making money is easy. Being able to create and sustain wealth is what will set you apart from the rest.” — John Rampton
How to Follow This Mantra
Entrepreneur John Rampton’s key to long-term financial success is to create wealth, not just make money. If you want to stay wealthy, use the same strategies the rich use to stay rich.
My Passions Can Make Me Rich
“Do what you love, and the money will follow.” — Richard Branson
How to Follow This Mantra
With a $5 billion net worth, according to Forbes, it’s safe to say entrepreneur Richard Branson knows a thing or two about building wealth. Follow his advice and keep pursuing jobs, hobbies or passions that you truly love. If you enjoy what you’re doing, you’re probably good at it. And if you’re one of the best at it, more money might follow.
Money Is Not My Passion
“If you’re working for the love of money, you’ll never have any.” — Barbara Corcoran
How to Follow This Mantra
Entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star Barbara Corcoran has told people to follow their passions — not just work for money — to live a happy life. If you feel you’re stuck at a dead-end job, or if you’re just not happy in your career field, you owe it to yourself to find what makes you happy. Once you do, don’t be surprised if more wealth starts coming your way.
Making More Money Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
“Small changes matter. By finding small, easy ways to make extra money, you can take charge of your financial future.” — Kyle Taylor
How to Follow This Mantra
If you want to take control of your finances and increase your wealth, take baby steps. You don’t have to take drastic measures to grow your wealth. Instead, smaller moves can add up to more money. Take the advice of Kyle Taylor — the creator of The Penny Hoarder personal finance blog — and explore the many easy ways you can make more money.
My Great Ideas Can Make Me Rich
“I think frugality drives innovation, just like other constraints do. One of the only ways to get out of a tight box is to invent your way out.” — Jeff Bezos
How to Follow This Mantra
Frugality is the mother of invention, according to Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, you might be forced to come up with creative ideas.
So if you have any great ideas that can solve a common problem, provide a much-needed service or improve an experience, don’t be afraid to share it with the world. In fact, many millionaires and billionaires were able to get rich just because they brought their big ideas to life.
If I Want It All, I Have to Get It Together
“Get it together and get it all.” — Nicole Lapin
How to Follow This Mantra
According to “Rich Bitch” and “Boss Bitch” author Nicole Lapin, there are only two essential conversations in life: “The first is about what you want out of life. The second is about the money you need to get it.” Use her money mantra and take steps to revamp your financial life and attract more wealth.
I Don’t Need to Have It All
“It’s not about having it all. It’s about having what you value most.” — Jean Chatzky
How to Follow This Mantra
What does “rich” look like to you? For some, it means having all of the designer goods, the fancy cars and a big mansion. But to others, it might mean having enough money to take an annual family vacation or retire comfortably.
Award-winning personal finance journalist Jean Chatzky reminds everyone that having what you value most can make you happy. You don’t need to have it all to live a richer life.
I Have to Pay Myself First
“Pay yourself first, one hour a day of your income — automatically. Why? Because it works. No budget. No discipline. Boring. Simple. Easy.” — David Bach
How to Follow This Mantra
Automatically “paying yourself first” is one of the most important rules in personal finance, especially if you want to get rich. It’s a concept that financial expert David Bach addresses in his book “The Automatic Millionaire.”
So although it’s important to pay your credit card company and your landlord, it’s even more important to put your money toward savings and retirement. To make the process less painful, set up automatic deposits from your checking to your savings account.
My Financial Freedom Starts With a ‘B’
“A budget doesn’t limit your freedom, it gives you freedom.” — Rachel Cruze
How to Follow This Mantra
Rachel Cruze, author of “Love Your Life, Not Theirs” and “Smart Money, Smart Kids,” says budgeting can help you achieve financial success. But don’t think of it as a restriction or a confinement. Instead, think of budgeting as the tool you need to control — and enjoy — your money. If you think of it as a spending plan rather than a budget, you’ll be able to reach financial freedom.
I Need to Save More, Spend Less
“Save more, spend less and avoid getting ripped off.” — Clark Howard
How to Follow This Mantra
Personal finance expert and radio show host of “The Clark Howard Show,” Clark Howard not only suggests spending less and saving more as a good financial philosophy, but he also warns against getting robbed, swindled, cheated or exploited. If you’re vowing to save more and spend less so you can increase your wealth, take steps to avoid getting ripped off.
I Need to Re-Prioritize My Spending
“Your true values in life can be found in where you spend your money. If you want meaningful, positive change in your life, then you must adjust your spending habits.” — Lauren Greutman
How to Follow This Mantra
Lauren Greutman — frugal-living personal finance expert and founder of LaurenGreutman.com — points out that your spending habits could reflect your values in life.
Let’s say you tend to overspend on designer clothes or the latest gadgets, but you truly value making memories with your family. If that’s the case, redirect your spending on vacations or experiences you can do with the whole family. Doing so will create “meaningful, positive change” and help you achieve a richer life.
Always Ask Politely for What I Want
“Ask — always nicely, with a smile.” — Bobbi Rebell
How to Follow This Mantra
According to Bobbi Rebell, award-winning journalist and author of “How to Be a Financial Grownup,” you can save a lot of money by just being polite when asking for what you want. And with that money you’ve saved, you can put it toward your wealth-building goals.
“You would be surprised how many discounts, samples or freebies you can get just for asking,” she said. “Ask for a lower interest rate. Ask for a makeup sample. Call up or do a live chat with an internet retailer, and ask if he can add in free shipping. Ask for a 10 percent discount if there is an imperfection on an item you want to buy. If you have a high medical bill, ask for a no-interest payment plan rather than throw it on a credit card and pay it off with interest. Even asking at a store when a sale will start can garner an early discount.”
How To: 15 Times You’re in Prime Position to Ask for a Raise
I Must Stay Out of Debt
“Debt free!” — Dave Ramsey
How to Follow This Mantra
Financial expert Dave Ramsey’s money mantra is simple: Get out of debt and stay debt-free. As stated on his website, your income is your “most important wealth-building tool.” But if you’re saddled with too much debt that’s eating away at your income, how are you going to get rich? Whether you have debt from credit cards or a mortgage, aim to get rid of it so you can start growing your wealth.
I Am the CEO of My Retirement
“Be the CEO of your retirement. The chief EVERYTHING officer.” — Chris Hogan
How to Follow This Mantra
Author of the best-seller “Retire Inspired: It’s Not an Age, It’s a Financial Number,” Chris Hogan empowers people — especially those approaching retirement. If you want to retire rich, take charge of your retirement. Set your own goals, create a plan, and find ways to save more money for retirement.
I Don’t Need to Pretend to Be an Investor
“When it comes to investing, if you aren’t absolutely positive about what to do, do nothing — put it in the bank. It will always be there in the morning.” — Mark Cuban
How to Follow This Mantra
“Shark Tank” star and multibillionaire Mark Cuban gives simple and powerful advice. If you aren’t positive about what to do in the investment arena, don’t make any rash decisions. Instead, keep your money in the bank and sleep on it; the money will be there when you wake up. And you might even have a little bit more money sitting in your account if you pick one of the best savings accounts.
I Am Not Smarter Than the Stock Market
“Diversify your portfolio: The market knows more than you do.” — Robert A. Clarfeld
How to Follow This Mantra
CEO and founder of Clarfeld Financial Advisors, Robert Clarfeld emphasizes the importance of diversification. Diversifying your portfolio means choosing a good mix of different assets, such as bonds, stocks and real estate. Good diversification and asset allocation can help you earn more in the stock market. Although it can be tricky, there are some investments that make diversification easier.
I Should Find Investments With Predictable Cash Flow
“Portfolio yield — cash flow — is one of the few ‘predictables’ in an otherwise unpredictable market.” — Wes Moss
How to Follow This Mantra
Wes Moss, host of the radio show “Money Matters,” is a big believer in income investing. With this investment strategy, you take the cash flow you generated from investments and reinvest it to grow your portfolio. By practicing income investing, you might be able to retire rich sooner than you think.
I Always Know How Much I’m Paying
“When it comes to your money, nothing is more important than knowing how much you have, and where it is. And if it is in investments, you have to know how much your investments are costing you.” — Tom Zgainer
How to Follow This Mantra
Founder of America’s Best 401k, Tom Zgainer says you should know where your money is going — particularly when it comes to your 401k and other retirement plans. Stay away from expensive 401k plans and underperforming investments. And always do your due diligence to uncover hidden 401k fees that eat away at your wealth.
Related: Financial Experts Share 12 Secret Moves to Double Your 401k
I Have to Give in Order to Receive
“Give, contribute and create massive value for others and the world will come to you.” — Josh Felber
How to Follow This Mantra
Entrepreneur and high-performance coach Josh Felber expertly motivates people to achieve their goals. As you’re working to achieve your own goals, don’t neglect to give back and contribute to other’s well-being when you can. And if you’re able to create something of value for most people, you might receive something that you value: wealth.
Financial Freedom Is My Ultimate Goal
“Freedom > money > stuff.” — J. Money
How to Follow This Mantra
J. Money’s money mantra is simple — but effective. On his website, BudgetsAreSexy.com, the award-winning blogger breaks down the definition of freedom, money and stuff. The bottom line: Once you become happy with what you already have and stop buying “stuff” you don’t really need, you’ll be able to save more money — which will help you achieve the financial freedom you’ve always wanted.
Control My Money, Control My Life
“Financial education is self-defense for your money. Regain control of your money, so you can regain control of your life.” — Robert Kiyosaki
How to Follow This Mantra
Author of The New York Times best-seller “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” Robert Kiyosaki says if you want to control your life, you need to continue educating yourself on personal finance. Read up on the stock market, buy personal finance books, download a budgeting app — use tools available to you that can help you get rich.
Click through to read money advice from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Sydney Champion contributed to the reporting for this article.
Share this article: