Financial Gratitude: Counting More Than Blessings This Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us pause to count our blessings — the roof over our heads, the food on our tables, and the loved ones who fill our lives with joy. But beyond family and friends, this season is also a perfect time to practice financial gratitude — appreciating how far you’ve come in your financial journey and setting the stage for a stronger year ahead.

Gratitude Changes Your Money Mindset

When we focus on gratitude, we shift from what we lack to what we already have. This small but powerful mindset change can influence how we spend, save, and give.

Research from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley shows that gratitude helps people make more thoughtful long-term decisions and avoid impulsive spending. Instead of chasing short-term rewards, we learn to value financial stability, peace of mind, and preparedness.

So before the year ends, take a few minutes to reflect:

• What financial challenges have you overcome this year?

• Which goals have you achieved — even the small ones?

• Who or what helped you get there?

Writing down your answers can help you see progress, boost motivation, and remind you that financial growth is a journey — not a race.

Turning Gratitude into Action

Gratitude without action fades quickly. Use this Thanksgiving season as a time to strengthen your financial habits. Here are a few ways to start:

1. Review your finances with appreciation.
   Look at your savings, investments, and protection plans. Instead of stressing over what’s missing, be grateful for what you’ve already built — then plan your next step forward.

2. Share your knowledge.
   Gratitude grows when shared. Talk to a family member or friend about what you’ve learned financially this year — budgeting tips, insurance importance, or how to build emergency savings. Financial education is a gift that keeps giving.

3. Give back intentionally.
   Generosity doesn’t have to mean large donations. You can support a local charity, volunteer your time, or help someone in your community understand financial basics. Even a small act of giving can make a big impact.

4. Plan for 2026 with gratitude in mind.
   Use your appreciation for today as motivation for tomorrow. Set goals rooted in values, not pressure — whether it’s paying down debt, starting an investment, or increasing your protection coverage.

Building a Thankful Financial Future

A. Redefining Gratitude Beyond Wealth

- Reflecting on how true financial gratitude isn’t just about having more money, but appreciating security, opportunities, and lessons from financial challenges

B. Giving Back: The Power of Generosity

- How gratitude often leads to generosity — volunteering, tithing, or helping others financially during Thanksgiving season.

C. Thankful for the Journey, Not Just the Goal

- Emphasizing patience and appreciation in long-term financial goals, like building savings, paying off loans, or achieving independence.

In Hawaiʻi, gratitude runs deep — through ʻohana, aloha, and a spirit of giving. This season, let’s extend that same heart into our finances. When we approach money with gratitude, we see it not just as numbers, but as a way to care for others, create stability, and live purposefully.

At WSB Hawaii, we believe financial gratitude is the foundation of long-term financial wellness. As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, let’s celebrate not only what we have, but also the wisdom we’re building to protect it.

Recommended Resources

If you’d like to deepen your financial gratitude practice, here are some excellent resources to explore:

1. Greater Good Science Center (UC Berkeley) — How Gratitude Can Help You Make Better Money Decisions
   https://greatergood.berkeley.edu

2. WSB Financial Education Workshops — Learn how gratitude, planning, and financial literacy go hand in hand.
   https://wsbhawaii.com/events

3. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — Building Financial Resilience
    https://www.consumerfinance.gov/

4. National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) — Your Money Mindset and Emotional Health
    https://www.nefe.org/

5. Charity Navigator — Discover credible charities if you plan to give back this season.
    https://www.charitynavigator.org/

References

Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley. How Gratitude Can Help You Make Better Financial Decisions. Accessed October 2025.

1. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Building Financial Resilience. 2024.

2. National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE). Your Money Mindset and Emotional Health. 2025.

3. Charity Navigator. Guide to Responsible Giving. 2025.

4. WSB Hawaii. Financial Education for All. https://wsbhawaii.com