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No matter who you are, you come to your financial life with remarkably unique life experiences, all of which have conditioned you to respond to money in particular and sometimes peculiar ways. Your life experiences caused you to develop certain financial beliefs and habits and to avoid others. In my professional work with people from all financial walks of life, I have noticed that although the details of people’s behaviors and problems are unique, there are great similarities among certain groups of people. Drawing on the work of various teachers, mentors, and philosophers, as well as my own observations, I’ve created some broad definitions of these groups, or archetypes, so that people can learn from others who have gone through similar experiences.

Archetypes can be thought of as energies within us. They are not personal but more like collective patterns that are manifested within us and recognizable in others. The value of defining these archetypes is that they give us a basis for understanding how we got the financial life we have today, as well as a plethora of tools with which to create the financial life we most want. There is no getting rid of our predominant archetypes, but it is certainly possible, and fundamental to a fulfi lling financial life, to cultivate a healthy balance. Many of the most successful people I know are a combination of at least three or four types; in fact, everybody is a combination of more than one. Chances are you’ll find yourself and your behavior when it comes to money in at least one of these archetypes:

The Guardian

…which means you’re always alert and careful. When your worry gets the best of you, your anxiety might be intolerable or you might feel there’s an impending catastrophe. But when your Guardian is expressed positively, you’re alert, careful, and prudent. Why not pursue a calming activity that you love sometime today, perhaps listening to music, being in nature, getting some exercise, or having fun with a friend or loved one? learn more >>

The Pleasure Seeker

…which means that you prioritize pleasure and enjoyment in the here and now. Your pitfall is that hedonism, greed or impulsiveness can get the best of you at times, but you’re also someone who enjoys life to the fullest, an admirable quality! learn more >>

The Idealist   

…which means that you place great value on creativity, compassion, social justice, or spiritual growth. On bad days, you experience mistrust, skepticism, or rebelliousness around money, but you’re also often able to express great vision and compassion in your use of money. Today, see if it’s true for you that self-sufficiency is empowering and supports your ideals, or alternatively, find just one way to use money to further your ideals. learn more >>

The Saver      

…which means that you seek security and abundance by accumulating more
financial assets. At worst, you can be fearful, frugal, hoarding or even obsessive when it comes to money, but your gifts are that you’re almost always financially self-sufficient or perhaps in a state of abundance. Today, try making relaxation and enjoyment of your life the highest priority. learn more >>

The Star         

…which means that you spend, invest, or give money away to be recognized,
feel hip or classy, and increase self-esteem. At worst, you’re pretentious and self-important. At best, you exhibit great qualities of leadership and style. In the next few days, try resisting at least one temptation to buy something in order to garner attention, and see if that feels more or less self-loving than your old, familiar behaviors. learn more >>

The Innocent 

…which means that you avoid putting significant attention on money and believe or hope that life will work out for the best. The risk of this is that you can be avoidant or even helpless when it comes to money. But on the positive side, you’re often hopeful and adaptable. Today, take one step to learn more about your financial situation, and commit to putting yourself on a path to a simpler, more self-supporting financial life in the next 90 days. learn more >>

The Caretaker          

…which means that you give and lend money to express compassion and generosity. This can lead to enabling or even self-abandoning behaviors at the worst of times, but you’re probably also someone who expresses a higher than average amount of empathy and generosity. The question for the day is, are you taking as good a care of yourself as you do of others? learn more >>

The Empire Builder  

…which means that you thrive on power and innovation to create
something of enduring value. At worst, you can be grandiose, dominating, or insatiable, but you also exhibit great capacity for hard work, focus, innovation, and decisiveness. My question for you is “Do you have enough to enjoy your life fully today?” learn more >>