🔎 Disclosure: WE DON’T SELL ANY COURSES. Money Vice is reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The ideas presented on this site are opinions and are presented for entertainment purposes only. We’re not licensed financial advisors. The information presented should not be construed as financial or legal advice. Always do your own due diligence.
1. You Make Goals Bigger Than Just a Bigger Paycheck
You don’t just want to make more money.
You want what the money can actually do for you.
That’s a big difference most people miss.
When you think like the rich, you realize chasing a paycheck is like chasing fast food.
It fills you up for now, but leaves you hungry later.
Instead, you set goals that push beyond “more cash.”
You focus on things like freedom, building assets, and creating options for yourself.
That’s when the game changes.
Big Dreams Drive You
Money becomes a tool, not a trophy.
You care more about what your money builds. Like time with friends, early retirement, or maybe even that trip to Italy someday.
That’s a mindset shift most people never make.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Write down one goal today that’s bigger than money, like “have my rent covered by passive income,” and track it in a free app like Notion.
2. You Pay Attention To Where Money Goes
You know how some people swipe their card like it’s a magic wand?
Yeah, that’s not you.
You notice where every dollar ends up.
It doesn’t mean you’re cheap. It means you’re awake.
When you think like the rich, you don’t ignore the leaks in your boat.
You patch them before you sink.
Tracking Is Simple, Not Boring
You don’t need spreadsheets that look like NASA built them.
A simple app like Rocket Money keeps you on track without draining your soul.
Think about it: every time you track, you’re making sure your money works for you instead of disappearing into some random fast-food run.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Download a budgeting app like Rocket Money and link your bank accounts so every purchase is tracked automatically without extra work.
3. You Look for Smarter, Not Harder, Ways to Work
You don’t brag about working 80 hours a week.
That’s not the flex you think it is.
You know better.
When you think like the rich, you ask, “How can I make the same money in less time?”
That’s leverage.
Smarter Means Using Leverage
Maybe you use AI tools to speed up work.
Maybe you delegate boring stuff so you can focus on the big wins.
Or maybe you build a side hustle that runs while you sleep.
Whatever it is, you know hard work matters. But only when it actually pays off.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Take one task you do daily and use a tool like ChatGPT, Canva, or Fiverr to cut the time in half.
Bonus: You Learn Faster Without Wasting Time
After you’ve started working smarter instead of harder, you notice something else. You need quick ways to learn, too.
Because let’s be honest, you don’t always have hours to read a 400-page book.
But you still want the insights, right?
That’s where smart learners find shortcuts that don’t feel like cutting corners.
Knowledge Feeds Growth
You pick up ideas faster, and suddenly you’re ahead of the curve.
Imagine finishing a book in 15 minutes on your commute, then using that nugget of wisdom to save or make money the same week.
That’s the kind of edge that rich thinkers lean on.
And FYI, millions of people already do this daily. It’s like having a cheat code for your brain. 🙂
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Download Blinkist and set a goal to knock out one book summary every morning while making coffee so you absorb big ideas without eating up your day.
4. You Look for Ways to Grow Your Money
You don’t let your money sit in a dusty checking account.
You want it to grow.
That’s what rich thinkers do.
They don’t settle for “safe” when “smart” makes their money multiply.
Growth Beats Stagnation
It could be stocks, index funds, or even a rental property down the line.
You’re not scared to start small.
Because you know $50 invested today grows more than $500 wasted on another “fun weekend.”
You’ve seen the math. Compound growth is wild.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Open an investing app like Betterment and set up automatic transfers of $25 a week into an investment fund.
5. You Talk About Ideas, Not Just Random Stuff
You’ve noticed this, right?
Most people gossip about celebrities, argue about sports, or complain about their boss.
But when you’re thinking like the rich, your conversations sound different.
You talk about ideas, investments, and plans.
Ideas Are Worth More
You’re not boring, you’re focused.
Rich thinkers know every conversation is either planting seeds or wasting breath.
So you hang around people who inspire you, push you, and share new ideas that make your brain feel like it’s at the gym.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Start one conversation this week with a friend about money goals or business ideas instead of Netflix shows.
6. You Don’t Panic When Prices Go Up
You’ve seen it. People lose their minds the second eggs go up 50 cents.
They post memes, rant on Twitter, and act like the world just ended.
But you? You keep your cool.
That’s because you think like the rich.
You know prices move, the market swings, and the world keeps spinning.
Calm Beats Chaos
When you’re calm, you make smart choices.
You might swap brands, buy in bulk, or cook at home more.
But you don’t throw a tantrum or max out your card.
That steady mindset helps you win when others spiral.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Next time something costs more, compare options and choose the smarter alternative without stressing.
7. You Don’t Try To Impress Anyone
You’ve outgrown the “look at my new shoes” phase.
You know flexing drains your wallet faster than the Miami Heat drains your energy.
Thinking like the rich means you live for yourself, not strangers on Instagram.
Simplicity Wins Every Time
You’d rather have a solid savings account than a shiny car payment.
You know real wealth is silent, not screaming from your outfit.
Funny enough, once you stop trying to impress, people respect you more anyway.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Skip the next “show-off” purchase and put that money into a high-yield savings account like Betterment Cash Reserve.
8. You Learn Regularly From Books And Podcasts
Instead of binging reality TV all weekend, you plug in your headphones and feed your brain.
You treat books and podcasts like personal trainers for your wallet.
That’s a rich-person move.
Knowledge Builds Cash Flow
Every story, every lesson, every tip you pick up plants seeds.
You might hear one idea on a podcast that changes how you handle money forever.
It’s like compound interest. But for your brain.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Listen to one finance podcast this week, like BiggerPockets Money or The Ramsey Show, and write down one action step to try.
9. You Buy Quality Instead Of Quantity
You’ve learned that cheap isn’t cheap when you replace it five times.
That’s why you think like the rich. You go for value.
Quality lasts longer, looks better, and saves you money over time.
Value Over Volume
Whether it’s shoes, tech, or even groceries, you care more about return on investment than the sticker price.
It’s not about being fancy. It’s about being smart.
Buying cheap over and over again is like pouring water into a bucket with holes.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Next time you shop, compare the “cost per use” and buy the item that lasts longer instead of the one that’s just cheaper.
10. You Keep a Money Cushion for Surprises
Life throws curveballs.
Your car breaks down.
Your dog needs to see the vet.
Your boss decides your hours get cut.
But you? You don’t panic because you already built a cushion.
That’s straight-up rich thinking.
Cushion Equals Confidence
An emergency fund is like your financial airbag. It softens the crash.
You don’t have to run to credit cards or borrow from friends.
You handle the problem and move on.
That peace of mind is worth every dollar you saved.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Open a separate savings account today (like Betterment High-Yield Cash Reserve Account) and set up an automatic transfer of $20 every paycheck.
11. You Say No To Impulse Purchases
You see that sale, and your brain whispers, “Just buy it.”
But then you pause.
You ask, “Do I really need this… or am I just bored?”
That pause is pure rich thinking.
You know impulse buys drain your wallet like leaky pipes.
Self-Control Saves Money
When you practice self-control, you stay in charge instead of letting shiny objects run the show.
You’d rather stack cash than stack clutter.
That’s how you build money muscle every single day.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Add every “want” to a 30-day wishlist in your phone, and if you still care after a month, then buy it.
12. You Fix Small Money Problems Quickly
A late fee.
An overdraft charge.
A subscription you forgot to cancel.
Most people ignore these little fires until they spread into a blaze.
You don’t.
You fix them fast.
Small Problems Grow Big
When you act quickly, you save money and stress.
You know $35 fees pile up like sand in Miami wind.
By paying attention early, you stop little leaks from sinking your boat.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Check your bank alerts weekly and cancel or resolve anything weird right away with tools like Rocket Money.
13. You Spend Less Than You Make Without Struggling
You don’t treat money like a hot potato. Spend it as soon as you touch it.
You live below your means, and you don’t feel deprived doing it.
That’s because you understand the simple rule: money left over is money that grows.
Balance Feels Easy
You don’t need extreme frugality to save.
You cut where it doesn’t hurt and spend where it matters.
That balance makes saving feel natural, not like a punishment.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set your budget on the 50/30/20 rule with an app like Rocket Money. Needs, wants, savings.
14. You Pay Attention To Who You Spend Time With
Your circle matters.
If you hang around broke thinkers, you’ll probably stay stuck.
But when you surround yourself with people building, saving, and investing. You level up, too.
That’s no accident.
Energy Rubs Off
Conversations shape your mindset.
Ideas spread fast.
You know, being around people who think bigger keeps you thinking bigger, too.
That’s how rich thinkers grow even faster.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Join one online finance community like r/financialindependence or a local meetup and swap ideas with people chasing the same goals.
15. You See Money Freedom As The Real Goal
You’re not obsessed with stacks of cash.
You’re obsessed with what money buys: Freedom.
Freedom to quit the job you hate.
Freedom to travel when you want.
Freedom to say yes or no without fear.
Freedom Beats Fortune
The rich mindset isn’t about yachts or Lambos.
It’s about living life on your terms.
You already get that.
And that’s why you’ll win.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Write down what freedom looks like for you and use a simple tracker (like Google Sheets) to measure progress toward that lifestyle instead of just chasing numbers.
📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌
And that’s it!
Never forget it…
🍔 A Fatter Bank Account Is Waiting For You!
😉 Dale!
