1. Finish this sentence so it best reflects your attitude toward moola: “Money is ______.”
a. for saving
b. power
c. a balancing act
d. the root of all my migraines
e. for spending, amigo!
2. You get an unexpected tax bill and have to tell your sweets. You feel:
a. Stressed out. This is going to throw your whole month’s allowance out of whack.
b. Pumped! You can say the bill is higher than it is and spend the difference!
c. Surprised. But it’s not a big deal.
d. Enraged. This is one more thing your mate has done to screw up your credit.
e. Blasé. You don’t like dealing with bills, so you leave it for your honey to handle.
3. Do you know what it would take to survive on just one paycheck?
a. I already buy everything at outlets. What else do you want?
b. I’d have to cut some serious impulse buys.
c. We’ve started talking about it and have a pretty good idea.
d. We’d be fine if the person I’m married to would stop blowing money for a second.
e. No clue, we’ll deal with that if it happens.
4. What was your mood like prior to your last big splurge just for you?
a. Depressed -- I had to do something nice for myself, even though I knew it was bad.
b. Stressed -- so I calmed my mind with a shopping spree.
c. A bit giddy -- treating myself once in a while is a reward for saving.
d. Almost angry -- finally, it was my turn to get something.
e. Almost high -- how great is new stuff?!
5. How did you feel after you made that unnecessary purchase?
a. Still depressed. I had to go over my account to check the damage.
b. Can you say guilty? There’s no way my spouse will be cool about it.
c. Fine. I strategized the purchase and know it was a good choice.
d. Worried. Now both of us are bad.
e. Ready to shop some more.
6. Your honey announces that you two are taking a romantic getaway. You:
a. Go ballistic. You two don’t have that kind of wiggle room in your budget.
b. Decide to return that $300 suit you bought. Your spouse doesn’t know the real state of your budget.
c. Start packing. Treats like these are the payoffs for staying on track!
d. Start sulking. It’s no fair that you scrimp and save so your spouse can splurge.
e. Buy some new swimsuits and get some designer luggage to boot.
7. While browsing for office supplies, you spot a flat screen TV that’s 75 percent off. Your cell is dead and someone else is eyeing the TV, so you:
a. Count to 10 and walk away. That $500 could go to your mortgage.
b. Buy it and keep it in the trunk until you can say it’s a birthday or anniversary gift.
c. Ask the cashier if you can use her phone and try to reach your sweetie. If you can’t, you walk away.
d. Thank your lucky stars that you saw it instead of your babe, who’d buy it and blow your whole budget.
e. Snatch it up. Happy friggin’ Tuesday!
8. Your spouse gets a $1,000 bonus, takes you to dinner, then spends the rest on a night out with friends. You feel:
a. Betrayed. You both should decide how to spend all of the money.
b. A little left out; it would've been nice to spend it together.
c. Happy for your honey that things are going so well at work.
d. Relieved that it was with freebie money instead of your mortgage.
e. Like you can relate. Money goes so fast!
9. If you're upset about money, it’s most likely because:
a. You’re frustrated that you have to live on such a tight budget.
b. Your mate wants to control every purchase you make.
c. Every so often the choices you have to make to reach your goals rub a nerve.
d. Your soul mate just can’t take your financial goals seriously.
e. The credit card company has called and you’re in trouble.
Answer key:
Mostly As, you’re savings obsessed
You’ve clearly got financial goals, and it’s a great sign that you’re willing to cut corners to reach them. But when life becomes all about how to save another dollar, you start to resent penny-pinching. Are you still having fun? If not, you’re giving money too much power.
Try this: Your job is to learn to spend. Work with your mate to find something short-term you both like -- salsa lessons, renting a convertible, etc. -- then put a chunk of your income toward that. You’ll stay financially secure without making so many sacrifices that you resent saving.
Mostly Bs, you’re a sneaky spender
Okay, so you’ve got a little more of a buying bug than your honey knows about. You’re not alone -- most couples admit to keeping little stashes aside. It doesn’t matter if you married a millionaire or a tightwad; if you’re hiding what you buy, it means you’ve got mixed feelings about what you’re doing, and that sense of sneakiness can wreak havoc on your trust levels.
Try this: Own up. Your purchases might be your way of saying you resent your wife for going back to school, you don’t agree with your hubby’s investments, or that you want a different lifestyle. Explore what may be the cause and let your mate know so you can work toward getting on the same financial page. It will rid the shame of your spending but also take away the power you feel when you shop. (Try kickboxing instead.)
Mostly Cs, you’re a savvy money manager
Congratulations! You know exactly how to save without giving up the little perks that make every day fun. Your secret isn’t that you were born rich; it’s actually that you trust your mate when it comes to money. You might not have the exact same spending style, but you're able to communicate and focus on your money goals as a couple.
Try this: Make sure you're investing your joint money so that your future and your retirement are as fulfilling as your newlywed bliss. See thenest.com/finance for savings tips that will really help.
Mostly Ds, you’re a beleaguered budgeter
Yikes. Money is stressful enough, but feeling like you’re the only one in the marriage paying attention makes it even worse. Making up for your partner’s indiscretions only lets your mate stick to his bad habits.
Try this: Get back the equal footing you had when you first married by starting with a common goal, like saving $200 each month. Working toward the same thing can help you feel financially functional and as though you’re in this together.
Mostly Es, you’re a human ATM
Whether you’re broke or a billionaire, your spending sprees signal that you feel detached from your ability to do long-term investments. Perhaps it’s a fear of the unknown? What is known is that the busier people are, the more they spend. Obviously, this instability can create big-time unease in marriage.
Try this: Own up to your mate that you need a little help and see a financial planner together. Your partner’s presence will give you a sense of solidarity, and the planner will help you set a budget as well as savings goals -- don’t worry, you can still reward yourself! When you know your basics are taken care of, both now and for the future, you’ll learn what it really feels like to be relaxed about finances.
-- Laura Gilbert
See More: Money , Budgeting