When it comes to money, is your energy focused mostly on your day-to-day finances? Here’s how to start thinking about today’s priorities and tomorrow’s dreams.
Financial personality quiz
Take our quiz to find out what your attitude toward taxes, budgets, shopping and planning says about you, and what you can do about it.
Whether it's income tax time, year-end or the start of a school year, money can weigh heavily on a lot of people’s minds. So why not have a little fun, and take our quiz to find out your money personality. Pick the most accurate response to each question, count up your answers and see what your results say about you. Then find out what you can do to improve your score.
1. How do you keep track of your receipts?
- I gather all electronic receipts in a folder along with scanned copies of all paper receipts.
- I have a paper file that includes printouts of any electronic receipts I spot in my inbox.
- A shoebox… somewhere
- Receipts?
2. Who prepares your tax return and when do you file?
- My accountant or a retail service, as soon as I get all my receipts
- I do it myself, or get my brother-in-law to do it, in mid-April.
- I look for a how-to video on YouTube and do it at the last minute.
- Nobody. I haven’t filed in years. (Shhhhh…)
3. How do you feel about budgets?
- I love them – I update my spreadsheet regularly.
- They’re a necessary evil.
- I should probably have one, but I’ve never gotten around to it.
- Yuck. A budget would cramp my style.
4. How do you shop for groceries?
- I check the sale flyers, make a list and stick to it strictly.
- I have a pretty good idea of what I need in my head, and I compare unit prices.
- I wait until the fridge is empty and I’m hungry, then I pick up whatever looks good.
- I eat out most of the time. The only things in my fridge are a jar of olives and some leftover pizza.
5. Do you have a financial plan?
- Yes; I’ve had one since I started working, and I update it regularly.
- Yes; I only have a few years until I retire, so I went to an advisor recently to plan for it.
- I think I probably should, but I haven’t gotten around to it.
- Who needs a plan? I’d rather live in the moment.
6. How well-prepared are you for retirement?
- Totally prepared. I know exactly how much I need to save and by when, and I’m on track to reach my goal even a bit early.
- Reasonably well prepared. I have a pretty good idea of what I need to save, and I’m fairly confident that I’ll get there – but maybe a year or two later than I’d like.
- I’m afraid I’ll never be able to retire.
- Who wants to think about getting old?
What your results say about you:
Mostly a’s: You are careful, conscientious and technology-savvy. To find out about the latest ways to raise your game even further, talk to an advisor.
Mostly b’s: You are responsible about your money and you try to do the right thing. You may not be able to retire at 40 with millions in the bank, but with a little luck, you’ll be all right. To see if you’re on track, run your numbers through our retirement savings calculator.
Mostly c’s: You try not to think too much about money, because it stresses you out. Find out how to reduce your stress: Five financial frights and what to do about them.
Mostly d’s: You’re the life of the party, but what will you do when the party’s over? Find out how getting guidance from an advisor can be enjoyable, as well as useful: My first meeting with a financial advisor.
As we said, this quiz is just for fun. For a true picture of your situation and a plan for your financial security, it’s a good idea to spend some time with an advisor.