74
july 201
yogajournal.com.au
PHOTO: JACOB AMMENTORP LUND/ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
what’s your money TYPE
Truth: We’re all funny about money. That’s because each of us comes to our financial life with our own unique
experiences. These in turn condition us to respond to money in certain, and sometimes peculiar, ways, says
Brent Kessel, a financial advisor and yogi who created the money archetypes below as a way to help people
tease out what might be affecting their financial life on an unconscious level.
To determine your type (most of us are a combination of at least two), check the characteristics in the “You are
___” column that best describe your emotions and behaviour around money. Be honest, keeping in mind that
no type is inherently good or bad. “While [these characteristics] can show you where you’ve got room to grow
in your financial life, they can also show you where you’re succeeding,” says Kessel. Once you know your
stronger and weaker suits, you can find balance between the two. “Similar to how we don’t want to only build
arm strength in our asana practice, it’s important to round out our financial practice by working on parts that
are underdeveloped,” says Kessel.
After you’ve figured out which archetypes predominate for you, try the practices Kessel offers to help you
accentuate your strengths, reduce your weaknesses, and find more ease and contentment around money –
the secret to experiencing a fulfilling financial life.
the
GUARDIAN
the
INNOCENT
the
IDEALIST
the
SAVER
the
STAR
the
CARETAKER
the
PLEASURE SEEKER
the
EMPIRE BUILDER
Thoughtful Prudent Responsible Anxious
Pessimistic A worrywart
Hopeful Adaptable Trusting In denial
Helpless Avoidant
Visionary Fair Moralistic Distrustful
Irresponsible Too charitable
Self-sufficient Flush Prudent Nervous
A penny-pincher Unnecessarily frugal
A leader Stylish Generous Pretentious
Brand conscious Clued in to appearances
Empathetic Generous Compassionate Enabling
Self-abandoning Selfless to a fault
A spender Unconcerned Drawn to luxury Impulsive
In debt Insecure
Innovative Decisive Driven Greedy
Power hungry A workaholic
TYPE YOU ARE: