The Story You Tell Yourself About Money—And How to Rewrite It

Dear Builder of a Beautiful Life,

We all carry stories.

Some of them were told to us when we were young—passed down through generations like family heirlooms. Some of them were shaped by what we saw—watching our parents struggle with bills, hearing whispered conversations about money being "tight." And some of them were written in silence—the slow accumulation of beliefs that settled into our bones without us ever realising it.

But here’s the thing: stories are powerful—but they are not the truth.

And today, I want to talk about one of the biggest stories we carry: our story about wealth.

The Invisible Beliefs That Hold Us Back

Think about what you were taught about money growing up.

Maybe it was:

?? “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” ?? “Rich people are greedy.” ?? “A mortgage is just a lifelong debt you have to accept.” ?? “If you work hard, one day you’ll have enough.”

These stories don’t just live in our minds—they shape our choices, habits, and possibilities.

If you believe that wealth is something that happens to other people, you’ll never fully believe you can create it. If you believe that financial security comes from working harder, you’ll never stop to question whether you could work smarter. If you believe your mortgage is just a burden, you’ll never see how it can be your biggest tool for financial freedom.

But here’s the truth no one tells us: beliefs are just thoughts we’ve repeated for so long that they feel like facts.

And just like a bad habit, they can be unlearned.

Why I Care About This

Fifteen years ago, I watched people I love struggle—not because they weren’t smart or hardworking, but because they were trapped inside financial stories that didn’t serve them.

They believed mortgages were just something you carried for 30 years, so they never questioned how to pay them off faster. They believed that saving was something you did after life stopped being so expensive, so they never got ahead. They believed that stress around money was just part of adulthood, so they accepted it—even when it kept them up at night.

And I realised something: it wasn’t their fault.

No one had ever shown them another way.

So I made it my mission to change that—to teach people that they didn’t have to stay stuck in the same cycle. That their money could work for them, not just be something they worked for. That financial freedom wasn’t about winning the lottery or having a six-figure salary.

It was about knowledge. It was about small, intentional shifts that added up over time. It was about questioning what you’ve always been told—and being bold enough to rewrite the story.

The Truth About Wealth (That No One Talks About)

Real wealth isn’t about what you earn—it’s about what you do with what you have.

It’s about using your mortgage, not just carrying it. It’s about finding money you’re already spending and redirecting it into your future. It’s about realising that small changes—rounding up your repayments, setting up an offset account, or adding an extra $50 a week—can mean shaving years off your mortgage.

That’s how financial freedom is built. Not through luck. Not through waiting. Through action.

Your Homework: Rewrite Your Money Story

This week, I want you to challenge your beliefs.

Step 1: Identify the Story.

Ask yourself: What is one belief I have about money that might not be serving me? (Example: “I’ll always be in debt.” “Mortgages are just long-term burdens.” “Wealth is for other people.”)

Step 2: Question It.

Where did this belief come from? Is it fact—or just something I’ve been told over and over?

Step 3: Rewrite It.

Choose a new story. A better one. One that puts you in control.

Here’s an example:

Old Story: "I’ll always be in debt." New Story: "My mortgage is a tool, and I have the power to make it work for me."

Old Story: "Wealth is for other people." New Story: "Financial freedom is a series of smart choices, and I’m capable of making them."

Because the most powerful thing you can do isn’t just change your mortgage—it’s change your mind.

We Do This Together

I’m not here to give you complicated financial jargon or throw numbers at you.

I’m here to show you what no one else has—that wealth is built in the small moments, in the daily decisions, in the courage to think differently.

And every week, I’ll be here—helping you take those steps. Giving you the tools. Sharing the stories.

Because this isn’t just about money. This is about you—your life, your choices, your future.

And if no one has told you this before, hear me now:

You are more capable than you think. You are not behind. You are not stuck. You are in the middle of a transformation.

And I’m walking this with you.

Let’s write the next chapter—together.

Frank ‘The Bank’ Barragan Helping Australians Pay Off Their Mortgage Faster, Build Wealth, and Live La Vida Bonita

?? What’s one money belief you’re ready to rewrite? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

#RewriteYourMoneyStory #FinancialFreedom #SmartMoneyMoves #MoneyMindset #MortgageTips