Mar 28, 2026
A friend of mine recently sent me a Reddit thread about Amanda Frances’s book, “Rich as F*ck” (it could be because I like to turn off my brain watching a Real Housewives franchise from time to time, but I’m sure it’s because of my passion for personal finance).
The post was titled "I Read 'Rich as F*ck' so You Don’t Have To," and honestly, I appreciated someone else did that heavy lifting. I’ve been curious about what is actually in that Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’s book. (1).
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If you have spent any time on the entrepreneurial side of Instagram or TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen the "money queen" aesthetic. It is all about high-end handbags, first-class flights and the idea that money is just an "energetic frequency."
Frances, who has built a massive brand around these concepts, argues that traditional financial wisdom is a trap. In her book, she suggests that saving money out of fear actually keeps you poor.
One of the most striking quotes from the text states: “I never would have gotten here if I had forced myself to save when everything in me desired to earn and spend.” On the surface, that sounds incredibly liberating. Who wouldn't want to be told that their desire to buy a designer bag is actually an "energetic shift" toward wealth?
The danger of reframing debt as a choice
The core of this philosophy relies on reframing how we look at liabilities. Frances writes that “spending money I technically didn’t have deeply served me.” She calls debt "choosing to pay over time" and suggests that if you pay off debt while focusing on the lack of money, you’ll simply manifest that debt right back because that is what you are an "energetic match" for.
While changing your mindset about money can be helpful for reducing anxiety, the math of compound interest does not care about your vibrations. According to data from the Bank of Canada, the average interest rate on credit card balances has remained consistently high over the last few years, with standard purchase rates typically anchored at 19.99% and frequently reaching 21% or more for rewards-based cards.
When you "choose to pay over time" on a credit card, you aren't just manifesting a future version of yourself; you are mathematically guaranteeing that the item you bought will cost you double or triple its original price.
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Investing in yourself versus investing in a lifestyle
One of the more controversial takes in the book involves the idea of "spending intentionally" on high-level coaches or mentors, even if it means maxing out a credit card. Frances writes: “I do believe that spending intentionally from a state of gratitude and joy, while declaring what this purchase means about you and your future, is a vibrationally positive decision. Even if it means using a credit card, a loan, or some savings.”
This is where the line between "self-investment" and "predatory marketing" gets thin. Financial experts like those at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2) frequently warn against taking on high-interest debt for speculative returns. There is a massive difference between taking a student loan for an accredited degree and putting a $5,000 "soul-alignment" coaching package on a Visa because you want to "vibrate higher." One has a statistically verifiable return on investment; the other relies entirely on the hope that your "energy" will change your bank account.
How to actually honour your money
If you want to feel empowered about your finances, the solution isn't to ignore your balance or spend your way to a "wealthy state of mind." True financial peace comes from agency and transparency.
Here is a simple way to start "honouring your money" without the woo-hoo:
- Track the math, not the mood. Use a simple spreadsheet or app to see exactly where your money goes. Awareness reduces fear more effectively than manifestation ever will.
- Build a "freedom fund." Frances suggests saving is "hot" but warns against doing it out of fear. Call your savings a "Freedom Fund" instead. It’s not there because you’re afraid of the world; it’s there so you have the power to say no to jobs or situations that do not serve you.
- Audit your influences. If an influencer or author tells you that your "vibration" is the reason you are struggling with debt while they are simultaneously trying to sell you a four-figure course on a payment plan, be skeptical.
We can all benefit from a more positive relationship with our cash, but let's keep one foot on the ground. You cannot "manifest" your way out of a 29% APR. The most "vibrationally positive" thing you can do for your future self is to build a foundation of real, tangible assets.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Reddit (1); Canadian Financial Protection Bureau (2)
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Leslie Kennedy served as an editor at Thomson Reuters and for Star Media Group, followed by a number of years as a writer and editor and content manager in marketing communications, before returning to her editorial roots. She is a graduate of Humber College’s post-graduate journalism program and has been a professional writer and editor ever since.
