Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.

Manifesting Money: Real Results or Just Instagram Woo-Woo?
A Millennial’s No-Nonsense Guide for Gen Z Brits
Let’s be honest: if you grew up in the UK, surrounded by classic British cynicism, the idea of “manifesting money” can sound like a load of nonsense. We’re a country that prizes realism, dry humour, and telling people to “get a proper job” if they say they want to “speak abundance into existence.”
And with the cost of living still sky-high, wages not keeping pace, and Greggs now considered a luxury for some — it’s totally fair to ask:
“Can visualising wealth and saying affirmations really change your bank balance?”
You might be sceptical. Maybe even allergic to the idea of “good vibes” fixing hard problems. But here’s the twist:
Manifestation isn’t about sitting cross-legged until a direct debit hits different. It’s about rewiring your mindset so you stop pushing money away without realising it.
And when you pair that mindset shift with actual action (yes, you still need to budget and apply for that side hustle), that’s when things actually start to move.
This guide breaks down the how, the why, and the proof — with real UK voices, quotes, and no fluff. Whether you’re trying to ditch your overdraft, build savings, or just stop panicking every time Monzo gives you a spending report, this one’s for you.
It’s no secret: the cost of living crisis, student loans, and precarious work have shaped your generation’s relationship with money. But so many of the mindset tools you see on TikTok? They’re not just fluff—they’re rooted in neuroscience, personal finance, and real results. Let’s explore how to make them work for you.
Manifesting isn’t about wishing; it’s about rewiring your brain’s filters. Your Reticular Activating System (RAS) notices opportunities your beliefs allow it to see—so if you believe money is impossible, your brain will filter everything through that story.
Experts say your words shape this internal narrative:
“Your words are magic … My vocabulary used to be ‘I’m broke… I want that and I’m jealous they have it’ … you have to start speaking your new story.”
(Reddit)
So changing money beliefs means changing outcomes. It also means noticing and acting on small opportunities. That’s manifestation in action.

It turns out, MoneyMagpie’s own Investment Editor, Ruby Layram, is also a bit of a manifestation enthusiast!
Here is what she has to say:
“The word ‘manifest’ simply means ‘to make something happen’. So, when people talk about ‘manifesting money’, they’re actually just referring to the process of finding ways to bring more money into their lives.
You see, you can’t just sit back and hope for money to appear out of nowhere. You need to actively open the right doors for yourself.
This could look like:
Your manifestation practice should involve opening a door for yourself (even if its small!) every single day. This is how you manifest something into your life!”
Once homeless, now a heavyweight property investor in the UK, Vicki says her success came from a mindset shift:
“Maintaining a positive mindset, establishing supportive habits, trusting one’s gut instincts, and being clear with personal goals.”
(The Sun)
She highlights that resilience, clarity, and intention matter—manifestation fits into that all-in approach.
Former Big Four advisor Carla Hoppe emphasises goals and habits:
All of this provides the scaffolding for abundance.
(Business Insider)
British finance educators point out how childhood beliefs shape adult money:
“Everything I knew at the time was wrong.”
“It doesn’t matter how much you earn … If you can’t control your spending … you’ll never build financial wealth.”
(blue tree savings)
Write down beliefs like “Money’s hard to get” or “Rich people are selfish.”
Then reframe:
“I easily attract money” or “I am worthy of abundance.”
(breathehustleglow, By Kenneth Keith)
Align a goal to a real need. For example:
Visualise checking your bank account and feeling relief or security.
Create a phone album of “money vibes” — paid bills, savings grows, side-hustle wins.
(breathehustleglow, On Your Journey)
Even small wins matter:
Try:
Send DMs pitching your skill, sign up for a freelancing gig, set up a better spreadsheet, take time to review your budget — every tiny action counts.
Make small decisions aligned with abundance.
(breathehustleglow, willtomastery.com)
One UK student wrote:
“I told myself money always finds me … Today I received an email telling me I will get £345 from Ryanair due to my flight being delayed … this is the first time my manifestation has worked.”
(Reddit)
Another shared:
“I affirmed that insurance would pay … then the next day I received the news that my insurance company had paid for all of the sessions!”
(Reddit)
These stories often describe small, low-stakes wins—but the mindset shift was huge.
Critics argue:
“Manifestation … overcomplicates life … getting what you want in life is … very straightforward… actually doing the work … is the hard part.”
(Reddit)
It’s not an excuse to skip budgeting, charting progress, or taking action. Also, legal risks exist if “manifesting” wildly improbable sums: it’s always about attracting opportunity, not counterfeiting cash.
(Reddit)
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
(Money Saving Central)
“The best investment you can make is in yourself.” — Warren Buffett
(thefinancefashionista.com)
“The one thing I wish I had known … was that everything I knew at the time was wrong.” — UK money coach Andy Hart
(blue tree savings)
Pair this approach with sensible UK advice—like using ISAs, setting rainy day funds, watching fees, automating savings, and avoiding lifestyle creep—and you’ve got a powerful system.