Your money personality
Who you are shapes how you handle money
A few years ago, I took a personality test.
It was about how I’m wired — how I think, react, and make choices.
The test measured five traits:
Openness,
Conscientiousness,
Extraversion,
Agreeableness, and
Neuroticism.
Most people call them the Big Five or use the acronym OCEAN to remember them.
Around this same time, the Financial Planning Association shared research showing how these traits connect to financial success — things like saving, investing, and feeling confident about money.
I found this research fascinating…
What the research found
Here’s what the study showed in plain English:
Conscientious people — organized and dependable — are best at turning income into wealth.
Extraverts — social and outgoing — tend to earn more but save less.
Agreeable people — kind and helpful — sometimes give or spend too much on others.
Open people — curious and creative — learn fast but chase new ideas.
Neurotic people — more prone to worry — struggle to feel secure, even when they’re doing well.
In short: money behavior is influenced by your personality.
My own Big Five results
When I took the test, here’s what I scored:
Openness: 85 (high)
Conscientiousness: 103 (high)
Extraversion: 66 (medium)
Agreeableness: 102 (high)
Neuroticism: 63 (low)
Those numbers “feel” like me.
I’m curious (high openness).
I like new ideas, tools, and better ways to help clients.
That keeps me learning — but it also means I have to focus so I don’t chase every shiny object.
I’m conscientious.
I like plans, lists, and structure.
That helps clients feel steady, but I remind myself not to over-plan.
Because life doesn’t always go to plan.
I’m agreeable.
I want people to feel heard and cared for.
That’s good for trust, but I’ve had to learn to say “no” as well.
My extraversion is in the middle.
I like people, but I also need my quiet, alone time to think and reflect.
And low neuroticism means I stay calm when markets or emotions run high — something my clients count on.
Together, these traits explain how I think, how I work, and how I help others make money feel calm.
How this shows up with clients
After 30+ years in this field, I’ve seen how personality plays out with money:
The planner who can’t relax until every number is checked. Then double checked.
The explorer who jumps into every new investment idea.
The giver who keeps saying yes to family even when it strains her plan.
The worrier who checks her account three times a day.
The social butterfly who loves experiences and generosity.
None of this is good or bad.
It’s just human nature.
The key is to work with your personality preferences, not fight them.
A short reflection exercise
Take five minutes and think through these questions:
Think about a big money decision you made this year.
Did you decide fast or slow? Alone or with advice?When the market drops, what do you do first?
Check the news, call your advisor, or take a walk?When you give or help others financially, how does it feel?
Joyful, stressful, or both?What part of managing money comes easiest for you?
Saving, spending, planning, or giving?What part drains you?
You don’t need a test to learn about yourself.
Just pay attention to how you’re feeling.
Acknowledging your feelings and what comes natural to you can be powerful.
Why this matters
A good financial plan fits your life.
A great plan fits your personality.
The conscientious person needs permission to rest.
The open person needs guardrails.
The agreeable person needs practice saying “not now.”
The worrier needs clear rules and reassurance.
Once you recognize your tendencies, decisions feel easier.
You stop second-guessing.
You start building a plan that fits who you are.
That’s how money becomes calm, confident, and comfortable.
Bottom line
Money isn’t just math.
It’s personality in action.
When you understand yourself, you can make choices that feel steady and real — not forced or fragile.
If you’d like to explore how your personality shows up in your financial plan, let’s talk.
Recommended reading
Here are a few worthwhile articles I enjoyed and encourage you to read:
Little Rules About Big Things by Morgan Housel
When in doubt, make it personal by Brian Plain
Your Wealth Doesn’t Have to Make You Anxious by Jared Korver
Have you read an interesting article or book lately? Hit reply and let me know.
I appreciate your continued readership.
Please let me know if you have any feedback or suggestions for future essays.
Until next Wednesday,
Russ