⚡️ What is You Are a Badass at Making Money About?
Have you ever felt like you were allergic to wealth? For years, Jen Sincero lived that reality, scrounging for change and staying “proudly broke” until she hit her 40s. In this follow-up to her massive hit You Are a Badass, she argues that our financial status isn’t just about our jobs or the economy—it’s a direct reflection of our internal “vibration” and the limiting stories we tell ourselves about what it means to be rich.
This isn’t your standard finance book. You won’t find spreadsheets, ROI calculations, or advice on index funds here. Instead, Sincero treats money like a partner in a relationship. If you spend all day telling money you hate it, that it’s the root of all evil, or that you aren’t worthy of it, why on earth would it want to hang out with you? It’s a cheeky, irreverent look at wealth that fits squarely into Self-Help book summaries because it’s more about psychology than math.
🚀 The Book in 3 Sentences
- Wealth is an energetic state, and your bank account is a physical manifestation of your subconscious beliefs about money.
- To change your financial reality, you must replace your “broke person” identity with a “wealthy person” mindset before the money actually arrives.
- Success requires a cocktail of unwavering faith in the Universe, specific intentions, and a willingness to get extremely uncomfortable.
🎨 Impressions
I’ll be honest: if you’re a hardcore rationalist, parts of this book will make your eyes roll so far back you’ll see your own brain. Sincero talks a lot about “The Universe” and “vibrational frequencies.” But here’s the thing—it’s incredibly effective because of her voice. She’s funny, she swears, and she’s been through the “living in a converted garage” phase. It’s hard to dismiss her advice when she’s so transparent about her own former failures.
What I loved most was her insistence that “wanting” money is actually a noble pursuit. She completely dismantled my internal guilt about wanting to be rich. She frames it as a way to fully express yourself and help others, rather than just being greedy. It’s a refreshing take that moves away from the typical “hustle culture” and focuses more on the “alignment culture.” I found myself dog-earing the pages where she talks about the difference between a “wish” and a “decision.”
📖 Who Should Read It?
If you’re a creative or an entrepreneur who feels “icky” about charging high prices, you need this. It’s perfect for people who know how to work hard but still find themselves struggling to keep a positive balance in their bank account. However, if you are looking for technical investment strategies or a guide on how to balance a budget, you’ll be disappointed. This is for the person who needs a mindset overhaul, not a calculator.
☘️ How This Book Changed My Thinking
Before reading this, I thought money was something you “got” if you worked hard enough. Now, I see it as something you “allow” through your attitude.
- I stopped saying “I can’t afford that” and started saying “How can I afford that?” or “That’s not where I’m choosing to put my money right now.”
- I realized that my “money story” was inherited from my parents and that I didn’t have to keep writing the same chapters they did.
- I started viewing large financial risks as investments in my own growth rather than just terrifying gambles.
✍️ 3 Quotes That Stuck With Me
- “Money is an exchange of energy between people.” — This totally shifted my view of a sales call from a ‘battle’ to a ‘flow’.
- “If you want to reach a state of being you’ve never reached before, you must do things you’ve never done before.” — A blunt reminder that my comfort zone is basically a prison cell for my potential.
- “You have to want your dreams more than you want your drama.” — This one stung because I realized how much I enjoyed complaining about being broke.
📒 Summary + Notes
The central thesis of You Are a Badass at Making Money is that our external financial reality is a mirror of our internal subconscious beliefs. Sincero argues that most of us are walking around with “money trauma” or inherited limiting beliefs that keep us from reaching our potential. She calls our subconscious the “Big Snooze”—the part of us that wants to stay safe, small, and broke because that’s what it knows.
To move past this, we have to bridge the gap between our conscious desires (wanting a yacht) and our subconscious programming (thinking rich people are jerks). The author builds a case for using tools like affirmations, visualization, and “acting as if” to retrain our brains. By the end of the book, she wants you to believe that you have a divine right to be wealthy and that the Universe is effectively a giant ATM waiting for you to enter the right code.
1: You Are a Badass at Making Money
Being rich is not about greed; it’s about freedom and self-expression. Sincero opens with the claim that money is simply a tool that allows you to be more of who you already are. If you’re a jerk, money makes you a bigger jerk. If you’re kind, it makes you more generous. Why do we treat it like it’s a moral stain?
She emphasizes that our current financial state is just a “snapshot” of where our thoughts were in the past. It’s not a life sentence. To change the picture, you have to change the film. This means deciding—not wishing, but deciding—that you are going to be wealthy.
2: What’s Your Money Story?
What did your parents say about money when you were growing up? This is the central question Sincero uses to help us identify our “money story.” Most of us have stories like “Money doesn’t grow on trees” or “We’re not those kinds of people.” These stories act like invisible walls.
You have to identify these scripts before you can flip them. Sincero suggests writing a letter to money as if it were a person. Are you treating money like a neglected ex or a terrifying boss? Once you see the dysfunction, you can start rewriting the narrative.
3: The Big Snooze
Imagine your subconscious is a grumpy toddler who refuses to leave the house because it’s raining. Sincero calls this the “Big Snooze.” It’s the part of your brain that is terrified of change and will do anything to keep you in your current comfort zone, even if that comfort zone is miserable and penniless.
The Big Snooze uses fear, doubt, and “logic” to stop you from taking risks. When you start making big moves, the Big Snooze will scream. Sincero argues that feeling terrified is actually a sign that you’re on the right track. If you aren’t scared, you aren’t growing.
4: Your Thoughts and Your Words
Every time you say “I’m broke,” you are casting a spell on your bank account. Sincero is adamant that our words are the blueprints for our lives. If you talk about lack, you’ll see lack. If you talk about abundance, you’ll see abundance.
- Monitor your language for “can’t,” “won’t,” and “it’s too expensive.”
- Use affirmations that feel slightly uncomfortable but exciting.
- Focus on the feeling of having the money, not the absence of it.
5: This Vibration Thing
Think of yourself as a radio tower. If you’re vibrating at the frequency of “struggle,” you’re going to pick up the Struggle FM station. Sincero moves into the more “woo-woo” territory here, arguing that everything is energy, including money. To attract it, you have to match its frequency.
How do you raise your vibration? Gratitude is the shortcut. By being genuinely thankful for the money you do have, you signal to the Universe that you’re ready for more. It’s a bit like the Law of Attraction: like attracts like. If you’re vibrating with joy and abundance, money has no choice but to show up.
6: Specificity: The Key to Being a G-D Genius
If you tell the Universe you want “more money,” it could give you a nickel and technically have fulfilled your request. Sincero argues that vagueness is the enemy of success. You need to be incredibly specific about how much you want and what you’re going to use it for.
She tells stories of people who mapped out their exact financial needs down to the penny and miraculously found a way to earn that exact amount. When you’re specific, your brain can start looking for actual solutions instead of just spinning in circles.
7: Decision: The Ultimate Power
There is a massive difference between “wanting” to be rich and “deciding” to be rich. A decision means you have burned the boats. There is no plan B. Sincero suggests that most people never actually make a decision; they just stay in a state of Perpetual Trying.
When you decide, you move mountains. The Universe responds to the clarity of a committed mind. This chapter is a kick in the pants for anyone who has been “trying” to start a business or “trying” to get a raise for years without success.
8: Faith: The Ability to Be in the Void
Imagine walking into a pitch-black room believing there’s a light switch on the other side. That’s faith. Sincero describes the “void” as the period between making a decision and seeing the results. This is where most people quit.
The void is uncomfortable because there’s no evidence that your plan is working. But Sincero argues that faith is the muscle you have to build. You have to believe in the unseen and keep moving forward even when your bank balance looks exactly the same as it did yesterday.
9: Action: The Antidote to Fear
Mindset is the engine, but action is the fuel. Sincero isn’t saying you can just meditate your way to a million dollars while sitting on your couch. You have to take “inspired action.” This means doing the things that scare you, like asking for the sale or investing in a coach.
- Do one thing every day that scares you.
- Don’t wait until you’re “ready” (you’ll never feel ready).
- Move toward the thing that feels most exciting/terrifying.
10: Get Over Yourself and Make the Damn Mistakes
Failure is just data. Sincero uses the analogy of a child learning to walk—they fall down constantly, but they don’t think “well, I guess walking isn’t for me.” They just get back up. We, as adults, become so afraid of looking stupid that we stop moving.
She encourages readers to fail fast and fail often. The more mistakes you make, the more you learn, and the faster you’ll reach the money. Perfectionism is just a fancy way of being procrastinating and staying broke.
11: Money, a Love Story
If you were money, would you want to hang out with you? Sincero returns to the relationship analogy, urging us to treat our finances with respect and love. This means opening your bills, tracking your spending, and stop treating money like a dirty secret.
When you start loving and respecting money, it starts showing up more frequently. It’s about changing your energy from one of “grasping” or “avoiding” to one of “appreciating.” Start thanking money every time you pay a bill because it means you have the resources to cover your life.
12: Forgiveness: The Ultimate Cleanse
Are you holding onto resentment toward an old boss or an ex who screwed you over financially? Forgiveness is the ultimate drain-unclogger for your wealth. Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.
Sincero argues that holding onto anger keeps your vibration low and blocks new money from coming in. You have to let it go—not for their sake, but for yours. Clean the slate so you have room for new abundance.
13: Giving: The Flow
Picture a river—if the water stops moving, it becomes a stagnant swamp. Money works the same way. Sincero concludes the book by emphasizing the importance of giving. When you give, you signal to the Universe that you have more than enough.
This keeps the energy flowing. Giving isn’t just about being a “good person”; it’s a strategic move to keep yourself in the vibration of abundance. The more you give, the more you open the channels to receive.
⚖️ A Critical Perspective
While the mindset shifts in You Are a Badass at Making Money are powerful, Sincero almost entirely ignores systemic economic barriers. It’s easy to say “just raise your vibration” when you don’t face structural discrimination or genuine poverty traps. For some, the advice to “invest money you don’t have” could be genuinely dangerous rather than just “uncomfortable.” She oversimplifies complex financial realities into purely psychological ones, which can feel a bit dismissive to those in genuine crisis.
🔄 How It Compares
Compared to a book like The Millionaire Next Door, which focuses on frugality and steady saving, Sincero’s approach is about expansion and radical risk-taking. While The Millionaire Next Door teaches you how to keep the money you have, Sincero focuses on how to attract money you haven’t even made yet through sheer psychological force.
🔑 Key Takeaways
The lessons here are designed to shatter your old identity and build a new, wealthier one.
- Your “Money Story” is a choice, not a fact. Rewrite it daily.
- The Universe rewards clarity and courage, not hard work for the sake of hard work.
- Stop apologizing for wanting to be rich; it’s your natural state of being.
- Act “as if” the money is already there to align your vibration with its frequency.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main argument of You Are a Badass at Making Money?
The main argument is that financial success is primarily a mindset game. Jen Sincero posits that your subconscious beliefs about money (your “Money Story”) dictate your bank balance. To change your finances, you must first change your internal vibration to match the frequency of abundance through faith and specific intention.
What does Jen Sincero mean by “The Big Snooze”?
The “Big Snooze” is Sincero’s term for the subconscious mind—the part of you that is conditioned by past experiences and societal norms. It operates on fear and wants to keep you safe and comfortable, which usually means keeping you broke and stagnant. It resists any change that challenges your current identity.
Is You Are a Badass at Making Money actually worth reading for financial advice?
If you are looking for practical investment or budgeting tips, no. However, if you find yourself sabotaging your own success or feeling guilty about wanting money, it’s worth reading. It focuses on the psychological blocks that prevent people from earning more, rather than the mechanics of where to put that money.
How does the Law of Attraction apply to money in this book?
Sincero uses the Law of Attraction to argue that money is energy. By focusing on gratitude, acting as if you are already wealthy, and raising your “vibrational frequency,” you attract opportunities and wealth. It’s the idea that like attracts like: a mindset of abundance attracts actual, physical abundance.
What is the “void” Sincero talks about in the book?
The “void” is the period of time between making a firm decision to be wealthy and actually seeing the money show up. It is a testing ground for your faith. Sincero argues that most people fail here because they give up when they don’t see immediate results in their reality.
Conclusion
Ultimately, You Are a Badass at Making Money is a manifesto for anyone who is tired of being their own biggest obstacle. Sincero pushes you to realize that your desire for more isn’t a sign of greed—it’s a sign of life. If you can move past the “woo” and embrace the idea that you are worthy of abundance, the rest of the puzzle pieces start to fall into place. It’s about taking the leap before you feel ready and trusting that the net will appear.
The one thing I want you to remember is this: you are allowed to be rich. You don’t need permission from your parents, your past, or the economy. If you can make a firm decision and back it up with inspired action, you really can be a badass at making money. This book is a loud, profane, and incredibly helpful nudge in that direction. Check out more Self-Help book summaries if you’re ready to keep that momentum going.
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