…and why it’s not just about “manifesting” your way out of being broke.
Let’s talk about something real for a second: the thin (and I mean razor-thin) line between having an abundance mindset and just being straight-up financially irresponsible.
This came up in a conversation with my husband the other day. We were chatting about money, mindset, and what it really means to believe in abundance—and whether sometimes people use that belief to justify bad money decisions. He made a point that stuck with me. He said,
“It’s not an abundance mindset if you don’t have a way to make the money back. Saying ‘I’ll manifest it’ can sometimes just be an excuse for poor planning.”
Whew.
Let’s unpack that.
What Is an Abundance Mindset?
An abundance mindset is rooted in the belief that there’s more out there. More opportunities. More resources. More chances to grow, earn, and create a better life—even if you don’t know exactly how it’ll happen yet. It’s the faith that your current circumstances don’t define your future and that you’re not limited by what you currently have.
I know this mindset well. I had to hold on to it tight when I decided to leave my deep rural community to build a better life. Back then, I didn’t have a job lined up, I didn’t have savings stacked high, and I certainly didn’t have a roadmap. But I had belief—that things could be better, that I could find my way, and that I’d do whatever it took to make it work.
That’s abundance.
But here’s the catch…
Abundance Isn’t the Same as Irresponsibility
Believing in abundance doesn’t mean you throw caution to the wind and swipe your card on impulse, telling yourself the money will “come back somehow.” That’s not faith—that’s fantasy.
Financial irresponsibility is when you’re making decisions based purely on emotion or optimism, without a plan. It’s spending because you feel like you deserve it or because you hope the money will show up—without putting any action or strategy behind that hope.
Here’s an example we tossed around:
Let’s say we want to upgrade our car. We technically have the money to do it. But is it a smart move? Would it drain our emergency fund? Would it leave us tight until the next payday? Do we have a plan to replenish what we’re about to spend?
An abundance mindset might say:
“Let’s invest in a better vehicle because it helps with safety, comfort, or even productivity—and we trust in our ability to earn more or replace what we spend.”
However, an abundance mindset should be coupled with financial responsibility. And financial responsibility asks:
“Is now the right time? Is there a smarter way to do this? What’s the backup plan?”
See the difference?
Faith + Action + Strategy = Real Abundance
Abundance mindset, when done right, is powerful. It’s helped me make some of the biggest, scariest, life-changing decisions I’ve ever made. But what made those decisions work wasn’t just believing. It was acting. Sacrificing. Planning. Showing up even when I was scared.
The real abundance mindset says:
“I believe things can get better. I may not have the full map, but I know how to pivot, learn, and hustle my way toward more.”
It’s grounded in hope but rooted in responsibility.
So, the next time you’re about to make a big money move—whether it’s a car, a vacation, or even something like leaving your job—pause and ask yourself:
- Am I doing this because I believe in better and I have a plan to back it up?
- Or am I just spending from emotion and calling it faith?
Be real with yourself. Trust me, your future self will thank you.
What do you think? Have you ever had to check yourself to see if it was abundance or just a bad decision in disguise? Let’s chat in the comments!
-Lis
Leave a comment