I just got finished reading through this DOPE article by Bridget on money personalities, and the first thing I thought was that I had to share it with y’all! A) Cuz she totally MADE THEM UP late one night, and they’re so freakin’ on point!, and b) Cuz I know y’all get as giddy as I do thinking about this kinda stuff ;) We like to figure ourselves out!
Your homework is to read the entire post later, but here’s a snapshot of her 5 personalities:
- Money Martyrs – Money martyrs find money to be the root of all evil. They are good at giving, but have a hard time receiving. They are polite while they watch people take advantage of their kindness. They tend to be very talented people who don’t make nearly what they are worth.
- Money Burners – Money Burners spend more than they earn and who don’t correlate spending with earning.
- Money Ostriches – Money Ostriches are afraid of money. They don’t understand the nature of money. They would rather it all went away.
- Money Freaks – People who are intense about money, know how much they have, spend very frugally, and never feel like they have enough.
- Money Mavens – Money Mavens love money, but don’t worship it. They’re certainly not afraid of it. They focus on money, but it also isn’t the primary interest of their lives.
Now obviously some of these are better than others, BUT, I think it’s VERY important to at least *know* where you stand, and how you want to move forward with your money in the future. Maybe you’re a Burner right now, and want to be more like the Martyrs? Or maybe you’re an Ostrich now working towards being a Maven? (Though I feel like that personality is pretty embedded. I have a good friend who’s 100% an Ostrich and he genuinely doesn’t care at all when it comes to money. He thinks it gets in the way of everything, and just does enough to get by w/out getting into too much trouble (though one major event would rock him!).
Personally, I’m probably a mix between a Money Maven and a Money Freak, haha… 75% and 25% ;) I wish I wasn’t, but there are def. times where I get hardcore and feel like I just need more and more and MORE even though I HAVE enough to be comfortable but I keep on pushing! I guess it’s good in the long run if I can calm down one day, but for now I’d like to keep trying to be more of a Maven. I don’t want money to consume me like other drugs out there (Yup, I just tagged this stuff as a drug! It’s so true if you think about it – it’s totally addicting! ).
Enough about me though – what personalities do you possess? And if you’re not happy with them, what are you gonna do about it? Being financially stable is more about just *knowing* how you are, of course, but getting that down is a helluva good start in moving forward. The first step to getting cleaned is admitting you have a problem, right?
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PS: Big thanks to Tenacious Leigh for introducing me to Bridget’s stuff. For anyone interested in reading her other stuff, check out her blog at Intuitive Bridge.
(Photo by tourist_on_earth)
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I am definitely, 100% a money freak. I know that it’s unhealthy but I obsess over every dollar and panic that I won’t have enough at the end of the month (even though I save about 50% each month). I think that this is caused by a) I have a highly variable income and one of my employers pays me on time only about 75% of the time and b) I grew up in a household that experienced a huge financial crisis that my parents are still struggling with
In the past I was definitely a money burner, the drip drip kind. Since then I’ve closed the faucet and learned how to say no to my impulses. I am quite comfortable with my relationship with money and would have to consider myself a money maven. Thanks for listening.
I am SO the Money Martyr. I have such a hard time accepting things, and I get all awkward about it even when someone does something as simple as offer to buy my coffee for me when we’re out. I don’t know why! I also definitely work in an industry where no one is paid close to what they’re worth.
100% money freak. I know I should obsess less over every little penny, but that’s what I do. I’m going to look into the book… sounds intriguing!
I’d say I fall between money maven and money freak (leaning a little bit toward the latter), with a little bit of money martyr in the mix – I don’t like feeling like I “owe” anyone anything, so even if someone lends me, say, 50 cents, I insist on paying them back, but as long as it fits in my budget I’m happy to treat other people without expecting anything in return.
Money Freak and I see my crew is here already! I had a reflection moment just last night about how (I now know the term for it) I frugal I am. On a referral from a friend, I went to a all cosmetic store to buy new eye primer. *note: I usually only do eye make up because I think the rest of the make up wears off too fast for the cost. I bought the primer and new eye liner for $40. I lamented my purchase for days and told my mother about it. She had no idea what the problem was and told me I was suppose to ‘treat’ myself to stuff like that so I would look even prettier. I still don’t understand how two products for $40 is a value and explained to her what $40 could do in an investment…Money Freak.
I feel like I’m most likely a Maven, Martyr and Freak. Sad to think about!
80% Money Maven…20% Burner/Freak. I’ll get mad if I forget to use a $1.00 coupon but make it rain every once in a while : )
I am a freak all the way and partly maven. I don’t love money, but I am not afraid of it and I do think about it often.
Definitely a Money Freak first with a splash of Money Martyr. It’s a weird mix, but I’ll be very frugal when it comes to luxeries or entertainment and I’m always tracking my spending/investments. However, then I shell out money to help a friend or pay for a drink or a meal here and there without thinking about it…I’d like to be more of a Money Maven where I’m more focused on this spending, but not obsessing about it. Good Post!
I’m with you on a cross between 4 and 5. I’d think I’m more of a Maven though because the “never have enough” is too extreme for me. I sleep pretty well at night knowing that I have plenty of money to support a normal lifestyle for a while. But I’m intense w/ it. Good stuff to think about. I’m also not a big “receiver,” at least of gifts.
So I guess I may have a bit of multiple personality disorder…
Dang, I don’t see me in there. Where are the “Money Apathetics?” The people who say, “I’ll get it when I need it, and don’t care about it if I don’t? :)
I’m in between 4 and 5. It depends on the day of the week.
I move between Burner + Ostrich, but I wanna ba a Maven. I’ve been doing Adam Baker’s You Vs Debt course and I’m getting closer. Baby steps, right? Thanks for the mention!
I’m probably number five if I had to pick, but I focus much more on the lifestyle I can have with a certain amount of money than I focus on how much I have.
I’m a complete Money Freak. I aspire to be a Money Maven after we graduate and our incomes increase… Who am I kidding – that’s probably what all freaks think!
I am 75% Money Freak and 25% Money Maven. I need to shift my thinking more to Money Maven. Over the long run being a Money Freak will drive you nuts and will eventually drive everybody around you nuts. Thanks for the post, it really makes you think about your tendencies.
Money Maven and Money Freak depending on how I feel. Like when I am doing my taxes, definite money freak, because I hate seeing all my money go away!
Money Freak here! I think it’s primarily the lack of it that begs for my constant attention. Once we start bringing more in, I should begin shifting over to Money Maven little by little. :-)
Type 1 money freak with some comorbid money maven traits. Glad these aren’t on the DSM – IV.
I think I’m about 50/50 between Money Freak and Money Maven. I’d like to think I tend more towards Maven, but I find myself being super intense and worrying that we don’t have enough money often enough that I can’t realistically claim that I’m not a Freak about half the time! :-)
Money Freak, 60% – Money Maven, 40%.
Definitely a big Money Freak with a little Maven mixed in. It will be interested to see how I feel about this when I’m further along on my path to financial independence.
I started out as a Maven, but turned into a Freak (that sounds bad, i know). Mid-career corporate America will do that to you!
Oh, I love this. And I definitely clicked right over to Bridget’s post! I’d say I’m a Money Maven, with spurts of Freak every so often. I definitely don’t always spend as frugally as I could (because I have a weakness for food and clothes), but I also spend less than I make and love to analyze my expenses.
@Vanessa Pagé – That would do it! But I think its great that you *know* yourself and how you treat money though – that’s important :)
@Money Infant – Haha, way to go sir! That’s awesome.
@Melissa – Awww, well luckily we can change our habits over time if we really want to, or at the very least just OWN it and figure out how to use it to our advantage :)
@Paige – I used to obsess about every last penny too, but I think as you start getting more of them, and feeling more financial secure, the tendancy to track every last penny slowly fades away. At least with me. I probably spend a tiny bit more than I used to in the past, but the peace of mind makes it all worth it :)
@Stephanie – That’s cause you’re a kind soul :)
@Ellie – Haha… I like how you convince yourself of all that as if you weren’t the one who just bought it ;) You’ve got major buyer’s remorse like I get a lot! Haha… though I usually keep the stuff I treat myself over returning it. At least 50% of the time.
@Michelle – Awww, well we have plenty of time to tweak it over our lives!
@HP – Haha… I’d like to party with you ;)
@Shondellclarke – There’s not a lot of shame in that :)
@Jon B – Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it :) Apprecite you stopping by and commenting too.
@Nick – I think we all do ;)
@Nate St. Pierre – Haha… I think you’re in a major minority there sir ;)
@YFS – Hah! I like it.
@Leigh – Awesome! Baker’s a great guy, and crazy smart. Really appreciate the heads up on this post my friend, you’re a brilliant one too! :)
@Kevin @ Thousandaire.com – Oh man, that’s DEF the way to be. You’re right on the money (no pun intended).
@Emily @ evolvingPF – Haha… probably, but you can still work towards it ;)
@Matthew Doyle – Glad you liked it! Thanks so much for stopping by the last few days and dropping a note – really appreciate it :)
@LB – Oh man, don’t even get me started on taxes… I don’t mind paying what I owe, but I def. mind getting all the paperwork and figuring out what went where! It’s a damn good thing I found Outright or else I’d still be lost.
@Jen @ Master the Art of Saving – I hope you get there too :)
@Jeff – Haha… *yet*
@Jessi – Hopefully one day you can!
@Yana – I think that’s pretty close to mine too, welcome twin :)
@Dollar D @ The Dollar Disciple – Oh yeah, keep us updated too as time goes on :)
@BE @ BusyExecutiveMoneyBlog – Hah! Really? That’s the opposite of how it usually works ;)
@Bethy @ Credit Karma – That’s why we get along so great :) Also cuz you’re fashion style is dope.
I am between a MoneyFreak and a Money Maven. 90/10 split. I love messing with numbers and trying to figure what’s the best alternative. Put money in 401K and save on taxes? Or pay taxes, and have more money to spend?
I’d have to say I am a cross between Money Martyr and Money Freak! I get so hung up on money and I track every penny but I also like to hold my own, make sure I do my fair share when going out with people, or if someone needs five dollars for a cancer walk I can’t help myself. Sometimes it’s draining and I wish I didn’t care so much.
I think I’m a maven, martyr and freak. I’m not good at accepting gifts and I’m trying to not obsess over every little dime. But it’s better then when I was burner.
Is there a space for growth in all that? Cuz I used to be a money ostrich and now I am a MONEY MAVEN.
I’m definitely half maven, half freak. I found this really interesting as it applies to my mother, though. She’s a money martyr, and I have to beg to pay for luch at times. I’ve never quite understood this until I began to watch her in life. She does this with everyone; it’s just ingrained in her personality.
Used to be a Money Martyr
Currently a Money Freak (while trying to pay off debt)
Hope to be a Money Maven in the near future..
Unfortunately, money burner.
Hardcore Money Freak. Not shocked to see most of your commenters are, too. ;)
I think I’m primarily a Maven for now, with a good chunk of martyr still in me, AND with plenty of Burner moments followed by Freak weeks haha! So much for being specific..
@savvyfinanciallatina – It’s a beautiful beautiful game, isn’t it? :)
@Cat – I think it gets better as you earn more money too. I know that I’ve stopped tracking every single penny since I’m more comfortable now, and that helps relieve more stress :) But I also know plenty of people who make a crap ton and still obsess over every last dollar too. So who knows?
@bogofdebt – Haha.. more fun, at least ;)
@maria@moneyprinciple – Awesome! That’s a damn good place to be, my friend!
@Christa – Awwww, well it seems like she has a good soul :)
@jefferson – You’re progressing nicely, sir!
@C The Writer – Well you’re taking good steps being on this blog and I’m sure on others too! Keep surrounding yourself with financial goodness so it’ll sink in! :)
@Annabel – Haha, yeah. Makes sense, huh? :)
@Tyler S. – So you’re a financial schizophrenic? :)
I think I’m a bizarre combination of money ostrich and money freak. I’m strangely proud of myself!
LOL, I would also be a combo of Money Maven and Money Freak…probably 60/40…
@Andrew | FabulousSavings – Haha… that IS an interesting combo ;)
@Crystal – That doesn’t surprise me ;)
I’m a definite none of them, though I have a bit of all of them in me.
Any one more than the other?