Is ‘Financial Mindfulness’ the Key to Unlocking Your Financial Goals?

Imagine always making financial decisions that are actually in your best interests, instead of justifying any impulse. Imagine accepting your financial situation—the good and bad—without blaming yourself or giving up responsibility and control.

If you could live like that, you’d probably be happier and better off financially. That’s the premise of financial mindfulness, which combines traditional mindfulness practices with financial decision-making to help people develop a more balanced, intentional relationship with money.

Researchers have found that people with financial mindfulness experience positive financial outcomes, such as higher credit scores and more rational investment decisions.

What Is Financial Mindfulness?

A 2023 study defined financial mindfulness as “the tendency to be highly aware of one’s current objective financial state while possessing an acceptance of that state.”

Practicing financial mindfulness means having a clear understanding of your current financial situation and acknowledging that situation without judgment. This involves observing spending patterns, emotional triggers around money, and financial habits with curiosity rather than criticism.

Unlike traditional budgeting, which might focus solely on numbers, financial mindfulness encompasses the psychological and emotional aspects of our relationship with money, helping us understand the deeper motivations behind our financial choices.

In the 2023 study, Simon Blanchard, a professor at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, and Emily Garbinsky, a professor at Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business, collected data from 2,000 consumers to understand the concept of financial mindfulness and its impact on financial outcomes.

According to their research, some of the key benefits of practicing financial mindfulness include:

• Higher credit scores as a result of better financial acceptance
• Less financial avoidance, like ignoring credit card statements
• Better ability to handle market volatility without overreacting
• More rational investment decisions, avoiding traps like the sunk cost fallacy
• Improved emotional relationship with money

Overall, the study emphasizes that financial mindfulness is about how someone interacts with their finances, regardless of how much money they have.

How to Practice Financial Mindfulness

To practice financial mindfulness, you first need to develop regular practices that foster awareness of your financial situation. This might mean weekly or monthly money check-ins, where you spend a few minutes reviewing your income, spending, assets, and liabilities.

The second component of financial mindfulness is acceptance: acknowledging your financial state without judgment. 

Taking mindful pauses before purchases allows you to evaluate whether they align with your values and long-term goals. These pauses can also help you make better-informed decisions without being swayed by emotions, positive or negative.

Additionally, practicing gratitude for current financial circumstances—while still maintaining clear awareness of areas for improvement—can help balance any extreme emotions surrounding money matters. Regular meditation or reflection on financial goals and behaviors can also help identify patterns and triggers that may be hindering your financial progress.

Blanchard offered some additional pieces of advice for anyone interested in incorporating financial mindfulness into their lives:

If you find yourself encountering strong emotions around financial decisions, consider pairing the routine of weekly or monthly financial check-ins with something enjoyable. For example, do it while treating yourself to a pastry at your favorite bakery, so there’s a positive incentive to sit down and look over your accounts.

“Notice whether you feel anxious, guilty, or pressured. Recognizing these emotions—rather than ignoring or being overwhelmed by them—can help you make decisions more calmly,” Blanchard told Investopedia. “Over time, adding small moments of emotional awareness to everyday choices fosters a healthier relationship with money and strengthens your overall financial mindfulness.”

The Bottom Line

Maintaining awareness and acceptance of your financial situation without judgment can lead to better financial outcomes and help you make sound financial decisions. Developing a more conscious relationship with money can help create sustainable financial habits that support both our economic goals and mental well-being.