The best way to become a smart money manager is to have some smart money beliefs. Unfortunately most of us have more negative money and finance beliefs than we have positive ones.

So how do you stop negative beliefs from holding you back?

Some people feel theyre simply hopeless with money and that they have an inability to earn large sums. Others have a poor me attitude and complain that everyone else has money except them. Does either sound familiar to you?

How aboutmoney slipping through your fingers or the fact that you really dont deserve to have money? Maybe you feel that money is dirty, that being rich and being a decent person cant be one and the same.

Do you dread bill paying? Feel like youll never be in control of your money? Or fear that the money you do have will run out?

If so, youre not alone. Many people share the same exact feelings.

Once youve identified all your negative beliefs, write them down. The next step is to let go of each negative belief one at a time. This is done by replacing your negativity with a smart money belief. Cross each negative belief off your list as soon as you come up with a more positive affirmation.

Here are some smart money beliefs to get you started:

*I have the ability to earn an abundance of money.

*I can be rich and good at the same time.

*I deserve to have the financial life I desire.

*I can manage my money, be generous and still have lots left over.

Theres often value in understanding whats at the root of your beliefs. For instance, if money was tight growing up and your parents stressed over paying the bills than you may have a poverty mentality. Having the feeling that youll never have enough is completely understandable.

But in order for you to change your money and finance beliefs you have to convince yourself that there WILL be enough money. Repeat to yourself out loud, I will always have the money I need and there will always be enough to go around.

If and when an old belief resurfaces be firm in your resolve to be positive. Come up with a smart money belief to replace the old one and repeat the new phrase out loud until any negativity is buried once and for all.

Our beliefs are what propel us forward, keep us at a standstill or pull us down. When we see our world and our role in it in a positive light, we open the door to great things.

In other words, the first step to being rich is feeling rich.