A friend of mine recently launched a quiz to determine which of the 5 money trees you are, and, so, of course I had to take it because IT’S A QUIZ ABOUT MONEY!
Here it is if you’re too excited to read on –> thefivemoneytrees.com
I asked her where this “tree” idea came from and here was her response:
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“I realized that most budgeting advice focuses on numbers and systems, but people struggle more with their emotional relationship with money. (TRUE!!) I kept seeing patterns of fear, avoidance, inconsistency, and lack of hope, and I realized that these emotional patterns were more predictive than income or tools.
I came up with the “trees” because I wanted a simple, visual way to represent these patterns as areas of growth rather than flaws. Each tree reflects a different spectrum of how someone relates to money. The goal is to help people recognize where they are without judgment and see a path forward.
Fun fact: my initial concept actually came from video game skill trees!
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I love it. Humans are so complicated – and emotional – so of course it affects our financial decisions. And just like anything, the more you’re *aware* of these personal traits the better you can be at decision making!
What are the 5 trees?
I don’t want to give away too much cuz it’s more fun to take the quiz and see what you get, but you’ll basically be matched with one of these 5 at the end (and you don’t meed to enter your email address or anything to get your answer either – it’s totally free and chill!):
- Oak Tree – representing “discipline”
- Cherry Tree – representing “hope”
- Willow Tree – representing “adaptability”
- Apple Tree – representing “confidence”
- Maple Tree – representing “ambition”
It doesn’t tell you in the beginning what all the trees are so I didn’t get a chance to guess first (but you can now!), but after seeing them I really wish I landed on the “ambition” one haha… At least that’s how I envision it in my head 😂
But it knew me all too well (I don’t chase money anymore!) and I ended up getting Apple Tree – aka “confidence.” Which I’ll gladly accept :)
“I have enough. I am enough.”
Apple energy is grounded security.
You care about provision.
You think about what’s needed.
It’s the calm that says:
I can spend when it’s time.
I can save when it’s time.
I trust myself.
*** Wipes tears from eyes ***
I really have come far over the years… From chasing status to not having a game plan AT ALL, 25 year old J. Money would NOT have been associated with this tree, lol… He would have been a mere stump! Or perhaps a baby apple sapling, only watered with beer instead of water, hahahaha (he did have some fun though with his beer sapling buddies!)
The quiz then goes on to tell you more about your match (the pros, the cons), and then how it relates to the other trees in your life as well – aka your “Financial Forrest.” It’s kinda neat to click around and check out how it all interconnects with each other.
You can take the quiz for free here: thefivemoneytrees.com/quiz
So what do you do once you know what tree you are?!
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The goal is for people to start making small, practical changes that align with their specific emotional pattern. I don’t want it to stop at awareness.
Instead of trying to follow generic budgeting advice, they can focus on the one area that will make the biggest difference for them. Over time, that builds confidence and consistency, rather than overwhelm. So it becomes less about “doing budgeting perfectly” and more about growing in a direction that actually fits them.
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BOOM.
Beautiful.
Awareness is one thing, but if you don’t do anything about it what does it matter in the end?! Always a two step process here: 1) learn, 2) put what you learned into action. It rarely moves the needle with only one half of the equation.
So yeah, take the quiz and see what you get! But first – guess :)
Thanks for putting this together, Rachael. Super fun and helpful!
There’s also an online group around this FYI if you want to learn and discuss more with others: skool.com/the-five-money-trees-6517/. It’s free to join, and is a space to “understand your spending, even if you aren’t a “budget person.” Honest conversations, quirky questions… and the occasional donut analogy.”
Thanks for reading today, everyone! Happy Summer!! ☀️
Your mostly showered with water, but occasionally whiskey too, apple tree friend,
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