For better or worse, how we relate to money and possessions is often heavily influenced by our early life experiences and how money was handled in our homes growing up. One of the best ways to move beyond negative attitudes and beliefs about money, or to reinforce positive ones that we learned while growing up is to acknowledge their presence and how they impact the way we view and use money. Otherwise, we could easily spend our entire lives making decisions based on things we learned as a child that are no longer serving us in a positive way.

Writing your money autobiography is a great way to uncover the origins of your money beliefs and attitudes, and outline steps to counteract those you want to change. Start the process by taking time to reflect on the questions below. Answering them will provide you with some insights into the origins of your money beliefs. Then click here to download a FREE copy of Napoleon Hill’s original book, Think and Grow Rich to really get going in a positive direction.

Money autobiography questions to ponder:
General Family History

1. Growing up, who were your money management role models?
2. Who handled the money in your family?
3. How did they handle the money?
4. Was money discussed in your family?
5. Was money scarce or abundant?
6. How did your family discuss and express generosity?

Your Personal History

1. What are some of your earliest memories of money?
2. How is your money role like your mother’s?
3. How is your money role like your father’s?
4. What were the main money messages you received growing up? Did you follow them or rebel against them?
5. Growing up, did you feel rich, poor, or something in between?
6. What was the first money you recall earning? How did you earn it? How did you spend it?
7. What is your biggest money success and what did you learn from it?
8. What is your biggest money mistake and what did you learn from it?
9. When you picture yourself as rich, who do you see yourself as?
10. When you picture yourself as poor, who do you typically see yourself as?
11. How much money has passed through your hands in the past 10 years? 20 years?

Your Current Family Life

1. Who are your current money management role models?
2. Who handles the money in your family?
3. How do they handle money?
4. Is money easily discussed?
5. Is money scarce or abundant?
6. How does your family discuss and express generosity?
7. How much money do you anticipate will pass through your hands in the next 10 years? 20 years?

Summary points

- List your top three strengths relating to money:

- List top three weaknesses relating to money:

- If you are not where you want to be financially, what do you believe is keeping you from getting there?

Finally, take all of your ideas and write them down. Be sure to highlight the attitudes, strengths, and behaviors you want to keep as well as others you would like to change. Then consciously plan ways to get going in the direction that will work best for you. ps!