Quiz: What do my spending habits say about me?
This quiz can uncover ways to build financial habits that can help you move forward.
Your spending habits and overall financial habits tell a story about how you relate to money — and understanding that story can help you build better habits.
That’s what this quiz is about. Keep track of your answers (a note on your phone will work) and check your results at the end — and then get easy tips that can help you build the financial habits that can help you move forward.
Spending habits quiz: What type of a spender am I?
Swipe through the carousel below and answer the questions to get a better idea of how you spend, and get simple tips for making positive change.
Keep track of your answers and review the results below for insight into your spending habits.
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When you get a paycheck, what’s the first thing you do?
A. Buy something I’ve been wanting.
B. Move money into my savings account.
C. Plan out how much to put toward bills, savings, and things I want.
D. Pay my bills and not much else.
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You spot something you really want. What happens next?
A. Put it in my cart immediately.
B. Decide to wait and think about it before buying it.
C. Buy it if it fits in my spending plan but skip it if it doesn’t.
D. Pass it up and try not to think about it.
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How often do you check your account balance?
A. Rarely — I just assume things will work out.
B. Daily. I like to stay on top of every dollar.
C. A few times a week, just to make sure I’m generally sticking to my spending plan.
D. Only when I’m planning to make a purchase or paying bills — it can feel stressful.
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How do you feel about treating yourself?
A. I like to enjoy life and treat myself any chance I get.
B. Nothing feels as good as having money in the bank.
C. I save up for small monthly treats.
D. I often hesitate to spend money on myself.
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You get an unexpected windfall of money. What do you do?
A. Treat myself to something special.
B. Move it all into my savings account immediately.
C. Save a little and spend a little.
D. Put most of it toward upcoming bills and essentials.
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What’s your biggest motivation when it comes to money?
A. Thrill — I don’t want to miss out on anything.
B. Future — tomorrow is more important than today.
C. Balance — I want to have fun but also set myself up for success.
D. Relief — I don’t want to stress about money all the time.
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How do you usually pay for a big purchase?
A. I put it on my credit card and pay it off over time.
B. Unless it’s an emergency, I don’t buy it.
C. I make a plan and save up to buy it with cash.
D. I compare options and wait for the best price, then pay with money I’ve already set aside.
Spending habits quiz answers: Let’s find out what kind of spender you are
Big spender
You’re energetic and confident about enjoying life, with room to balance fun and planning. Try making a spending plan to create an allowance for the things you love so you can still splurge guilt-free while taking care of the things you need to. It’s totally doable and can lead to a less stressful and more enjoyable life.
Takeaways and next steps
- Understanding your spending habits can help highlight opportunities to get to where you want to be financially.
- Spending styles range from only spending on essentials to spending based on instinct — balance can help you enjoy your financial journey.
- Some first steps in taking charge of your finances include tracking your income and expenses, categorizing your spending into needs versus wants, and creating a realistic spending plan.
- Your next step: Try using a spending plan to guide upcoming purchases.
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Keep the momentum going
Try Get Money Ready Coach to turn your savings goals into an action plan.
