How to Create a Vision Board for Manifesting Financial Success

By Jackie Lam, AFC®
Published on: 12/02/2024

Ever wish that you could magically transform your finances with a wiggle of your nose or a wave of a wand? If only it were that easy. While it would surely be nice to turn our money situations around overnight, the reality is that it takes time to reach our financial goals.

While magic wands aren't real, vision boards can be a great tool for manifesting money. In fact, research shows that the brain doesn't pick up on the difference between when we imagine scenarios and when they actually happen. In turn, visualization can create new neural pathways, increase confidence, and lower anxiety. This can help you stay motivated to work toward your financial dreams.

Here, we'll walk you through creating a manifest money vision board and show you how to make the most of it. After all, it's a low-key, no-pressure way of putting your financial goals front and center. It's a great opportunity to get your creativity on and have fun.

What Is a Vision Board and Why Should You Care

A vision board can be a simple yet powerful way to fuel a money manifestation. Think of it as a Pinterest board for your dreams but on your wall. It includes a cluster of images that represent your intentions, dreams, hopes, and goals.

You can think of it as giving your money goals a fastpass to your brain. When there's a physical representation of your financial dreams in an easy-to-spot place in your home or work area, a vision board can remind you what's most important to you–and what you're working toward.

Seeing your goals in a visual, tangible way every day can be just the nudge you need. For example, if you've long been fantasizing about an exotic tropical vacation to Bali, having images of this dream trip can give you a much-needed burst of motivation. Plus, it can help you build momentum and take the steps needed to reach that goal.

What to Put on Your Vision Board

Here's what you can include on your "manifest money" vision board:

1. Think Big: Pics, Quotes and All the Good Stuff

First, search the internet or magazines to find images representing your goals. It might be that dream car, exotic getaway, or cozy "work-from-home" nook. It might even be more free time to wander, pursue hobbies, or focus on your health.

There's no goal, big or small, no dream too fanciful or mundane. If more time to crochet is top of your bucket list, cut out a picture of a crochet hook and yarn. If you want to sail on the high seas on a decked-out yacht, more power to you.

There's no judgment here. This is a playful space to explore your aspirations and fully own them.

2. Good Vibes: Colors and Symbols for Cash Flow

To up the visual flair, get crafty by adding embellishments like gold stars, green dollar signs, stickers, cutouts, and washi tape in colors and patterns that best represent you.

A neutral palette might provide a calm vibe to help you introspect and reflect. Or a bright and bold color scheme can offer a burst of energy for your vision board. Whatever the case may be, if it speaks to you and makes you feel rich, bold, and inspired, throw it on there.

3. Get Clear on Your Cash Dreams

Once you've filled our money manifestation mood board with imagery representing your goals and establishing the general vibe, think about what you might do with any extra cash.

Perhaps you've netted a job bonus, raked in sales commission, are expecting a tax refund, or were given a cash gift or small windfall. Would you splurge on brunch with your closest friends, stash it away toward a trip, toss it toward credit card debt, or pay off that pesky bill?

To get clear on your money goals, you might find it helpful to figure out how much you'll want to have in savings for each goal, and desired date to squirrel away your cash. For instance, you'd like to go on a tropical vacation next Christmas, and you'd like to save $3,000 by the fall. Pin to your vision board the exact dollar amount and month you'd like to hit that goal.

You can also jot down your top three money dreams. You know, the ones that make those dreadful days at the grind worth it. Remember: this is your space to explore, imagine and manifest. Take the time to tune in to your values and to the "big rocks" (aka most important things) in your life.

4. Arrange, Admire and Maybe Do a Little Money Dance

There's no right or wrong way to create a money vision board. Arrange and cluster your images to your liking, and whatever feels right. Once you feel like it's in a solid place, find a proper place to mount it.

It could be in a corner of your bedroom or a more highly visible location with more foot traffic, like the kitchen. Once you stick it on your wall, take a step back, take a deep breath, and admire your money masterpiece.

How to Use Your Vision Board to Manifest Money

To make the most of your vision board, place it somewhere that makes the most sense to you. Consider placing it somewhere you'll see every morning. Then, habit stack. For instance, fold in a little pep talk, short meditation, or deep breathing exercise with your future wealthy self, maybe right before your first cup of coffee.

You can mouth affirmations like "money flows to me like my morning coffee" or "I am a money magnet." Or, they can be more practical, like, "This month, I will focus on paying off my debt," or "I'll set up auto savings for my next vacation."

Keeping the Dream Alive: Stay Motivated to Manifest Money

Be sure to celebrate small wins, like getting a surprise discount at your favorite retailer, taking on a new side hustle to save faster, or hitting a weekly savings goal. As they say, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

Reveling in those little checkpoints will help you stay focused and move at a steady clip. Enjoy rewards that don't cost a lot, such as treating yourself to that fancy latte, ordering a dessert, or indulging in a slice of pizza on a Friday night.

Refresh Your Board as Your Goals Grow

Your "manifest money" vision board is a living thing. Be sure to revisit it occasionally to add new dreams or swap out old ones. Take stock of any target dates and amounts you had tossed onto your board, and make adjustments as you see fit. It's about staying true to where you're at and who you are. Recognize these changes, and give yourself permission to evolve.

Get Ready to Manifest Money and Have Fun Doing It

Creating a vision board is about knowing your truth, getting in tune with your values, hopes, and aspirations, and dreaming big. It can help you manifest wealth and stay focused.

By getting started today, you can enjoy the process, let your creativity flow, and see what emerges. Watch those money goals begin to take shape and develop positive money habits to turn those dreams into a reality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a vision board, as per Feng Shui?
A Feng Shui vision board visually represents your goals and desires. It is a collage of images, mantras, affirmations, and ephemera that symbolize your dreams and what you want to manifest in your life.

Is it okay to show your vision board?
Whether you want to show off your vision board to others or keep it private is entirely up to you. You can keep it prominently placed in a highly visible spot in your home or tucked away so only you can see it.

Which direction is good for manifestation?
According to different traditions, the northeast direction is associated with knowledge, wisdom, and personal growth. The East is about new beginnings; the South symbolizes action, passion and vitality.

About the author

A personal finance writer for over 8 years, Jackie Lam covers money management, lending, insurance, investing, and banking, and personal stories. An AFC® accredited financial coach, she is passionate about helping freelance creatives design money systems on irregular income, gain greater awareness of their money narratives, and overcome mental and emotional blocks.

Her work has appeared in publications such as Bankrate, Time's NextAdvisor, CNET, Forbes, Salon.com, and BuzzFeed. She is the 2022 recipient of Money Management International's Financial Literacy and Education in Communities (FLEC) Award, and a two-time Plutus Awards nominee for Best Freelancer in Personal Finance Media. She lives in Los Angeles where she spends her free time swimming, drumming, and daydreaming about stickers.

Editorial policy

Our goal at Self is to provide readers with current and unbiased information on credit, financial health, and related topics. This content is based on research and other related articles from trusted sources. All content at Self is written by experienced contributors in the finance industry and reviewed by an accredited person(s).

self logo
Written on December 2, 2024
Self is a venture-backed startup that helps people build credit and savings.

Self does not provide financial advice. The content on this page provides general consumer information and is not intended for legal, financial, or regulatory guidance. The content presented does not reflect the view of the Issuing Banks. Although this information may include references to third-party resources or content, Self does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of this third-party information. Any Self product links are advertisements for Self products. Please consider the date of publishing for Self’s original content and any affiliated content to best understand their contexts.

Take control of your credit today.