Rewriting Your Money Soundtracks with Jon Acuff

Your money soundtrack—what plays on repeat in your head—will either help or hinder your financial decisions. 

We all know the power of overthinking—but the good news is, you can change the tune of those money soundtracks playing in your mind. Jon Acuff joins us today to show you how.

Jon Acuff is a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and podcaster who helps people overcome overthinking, change their mindsets, and achieve goals. He’s written 10 books, including Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking.

What Are “Soundtracks”?

Soundtracks are the repeated thoughts that play in our minds—like music on loop. They can be helpful or harmful, but either way, they shape our lives.

If you’d like to change the soundtracks that you have been listening to, this framework is simple yet profound:

1. Retire the broken soundtracks that hold you back.
2. Replace them with healthier, truthful ones.
3. Repeat them until they become second nature.

It’s not enough to get rid of the old. You have to replace it with the new.

Retiring Broken Soundtracks

The first step is to identify what’s holding you back. Write down a financial goal—such as paying off debt, buying a home, or supporting missionaries—and then pay attention to your immediate thoughts.

Are they encouraging or discouraging? Many people quickly hear internal voices saying things like:

• “Who are you to think you could do that?”
• “You’ll never make more than your parents.”
• “Money isn’t for people like you.”

These are broken soundtracks—thoughts that undermine God’s best for your life. Sometimes, they’re inherited.

Here are several unhealthy financial soundtracks that many people believe:

• “Mo Money, Mo Problems.” Popularized by a hip-hop song, this belief ties success to stress. But lacking money doesn’t eliminate problems either—it often magnifies them.
   
• “I’ll give when I’m successful.” Many delay generosity until they feel financially “ready.” But giving is a practice best learned in small amounts now, so it grows with you over time.
   
• “I’m not a money person.” Labeling yourself this way shuts the door on growth. Money management is a skill, not a fixed identity.

These soundtracks don’t just affect finances; they limit your potential. In one survey that Jon conducted with 3,000 people, a staggering 96% reported not living up to their full potential—often due to limiting beliefs.

Replacing Soundtracks with Truth

Once you identify the lies, it’s time to replace them. That can mean flipping the negative thought on its head, seeking wisdom in Scripture, or learning from mentors.

Some examples of healthier money soundtracks include:

• “I can do amazing things with money.”
• “I can make more than my parents, and that’s okay.”
• “I am my own biggest venture capitalist—my day job is funding my dream.”

But what if you feel stuck? We encourage you to start small. Too often, people believe they must overhaul their entire lives overnight. Instead, try carving out 15 minutes a day to take one positive step forward. Over time, those mustard-seed-sized efforts compound into meaningful change.

The truth is that the thoughts you repeat about money directly influence how you use it. Broken soundtracks can sabotage generosity, stunt growth, and even cause you to reject God’s gifts. However, by retiring lies and replacing them with truth, and repeating them faithfully, you can align your mindset with God’s wisdom.

If you change the thought, you’ll change the actions, and then the results will follow.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I’m looking at Medicare Advantage plans. They seem cheaper upfront, but I’m concerned about high out-of-pocket costs if something serious were to happen. My wife is just starting Medicare, and we want to know the best option.
• I’m nearly two years into my job and haven’t yet started contributing to the company’s 401(k). My concern is making sure my investments align with my Christian values.
• What’s the difference between a living trust and a will, and which one is better for estate planning?

Resources Mentio