Are you really in control of your money? We love to think we are. But what if I told you that financial literacy, the kind you think you’ve mastered, has more to do with mindset than math? That subscription service you forgot to cancel—it’s not just a mistake; it’s a symptom of something bigger. Overspending is a habit ingrained in our culture, and despite what you’ve been told, budgeting is not about restriction—it’s about liberation. Let’s break it down.
We live in a world where every corner of the internet tells you, “You can have it all.” It’s designed that way—algorithms feed us aspirational lifestyles, but they rarely show the part where financial chaos follows unchecked consumerism. The problem? Many of us confuse having things with having wealth. In her groundbreaking book Unlock Wealth, author TJ Hill lays it bare: Wealth isn’t what you think. It’s not the zeros in your bank account; it’s the habits you form around money. And here’s where the real challenge comes—shifting those habits.
Think you’re disciplined because you save a little here and there? Well, the truth is, that saving without a goal is like driving without a destination. Hill suggests a radical idea: before you save a dime, define what prosperity looks like for you. Is it a beachfront property or the freedom to take a Wednesday off because you feel like it? See, prosperity is deeply personal, but we’ve all been sold a one-size-fits-all dream.
For Hill, this discovery came from firsthand experience. She started out as an entrepreneur, owning a large construction company and consulting with small businesses on employee management. What became clear to her was how widespread the lack of financial literacy was.
It wasn’t just her own journey that shaped her perspective. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, Hill saw the day-to-day struggles of managing finances not just for businesses but also for keeping families afloat. Those experiences planted the seed for what would later become her mission: helping others take control of their financial future.
More income will solve your problems, right? Wrong. Hill, in her book The Power to Prosperity, busts this myth with a truth bomb: “If you can’t manage $1,000, what makes you think you’ll manage $10,000 any better?” The myth that making more money automatically solves your financial stress is the kind of thinking that keeps people stuck in the paycheck-to-paycheck loop, even after getting that raise. The reality? It’s about shifting the mindset from consumption to creation. It’s not sexy, but it’s real.
We overspend because we’re told that happiness is something we can buy. But what if happiness is not the next gadget or subscription box but the quiet confidence of knowing you’ve got control over your finances? What if the real power comes from saying no—no to things that drain your money, time, and energy?
Moreover, budgeting plays a crucial role in this journey. It’s probably the least popular topic at dinner parties but also the most misunderstood. Most people think of it as financial punishment. Yet Hill flips the script: “Budgeting isn’t about limits, it’s about choices.” You’re not cutting yourself off; you’re setting yourself free. Free to spend on what matters, free to pursue passions without the weight of debt holding you down. It’s the ultimate reframe. In fact, budgeting isn’t a constraint, it’s empowerment—knowing where every dollar is going means you’re not bleeding money into things that don’t serve your goals.
Hill’s take? Build a “spending plan” rather than a “budget,” and align it with your values. If your dream is to travel, your plan should reflect that not what society says you need to buy. Suddenly, saying no to that $100 dinner feels less like a sacrifice and more like a victory. Because now, you’re moving toward something meaningful, something you’ve consciously chosen.
Let’s be real—there will be setbacks. And that’s okay. Hill openly discusses her struggles with writer’s block and financial challenges in the interview, admitting that even experts have days when they want to quit. But here’s the kicker—those who make it are not the ones who never fail, they’re the ones who don’t stay down. Success isn’t about never getting it wrong; it’s about what you do after. Failures aren’t dead ends, they’re just detours.
In The Power to Prosperity, Hill encourages readers to pivot. If one path doesn’t work, try another. The ability to adapt—to reassess your goals and change direction—is perhaps the most undervalued skill in achieving prosperity. That’s why Hill emphasizes the importance of writing down your goals and reviewing them regularly. Don’t set them and forget them—stay engaged, evolve with them.
Prosperity isn’t a lottery win, and it’s not something you stumble into by accident. It’s a series of deliberate choices, habits, and—yes—sacrifices. But the reward? A life that feels rich in every sense of the word. If you’re willing to redefine wealth, manage your habits, and stick with it through the rough patches, then maybe—just maybe—you’re ready to unlock prosperity on your terms.
