This questionnaire will help assess your framework for making financial decisions.
Est. completion time: 20-minutes
Here are some common themes we’ve noticed:
- It’s easier to spend other people’s money. We typically treat the money we earn as more valuable than the money we receive. Some examples of “found money” are receiving an inheritance or lottery winnings.
- Personal finance is personal. Understanding the core beliefs influencing our financial decisions before laying the groundwork is crucial to the success of our plan. Conversely, creating a plan that makes mathematical and financial sense but goes against our core beliefs is a recipe for frustration.
- Tolerance for risk decreases over time. As a result, our views on money gradually change as we age and can rapidly change after we experience a milestone in life. Some milestones include getting a big promotion, getting married, having a child, paying for college, realizing a charitable calling, retiring, and becoming grandparents.
- Guarantees put people at ease. The degree of certainty for supporting our lifestyle tends to correlate with how positively we think about money. An increase in certainty can leave us feeling relieved, happy, and generous, while a decrease in certainty can leave us feeling stressed, worried, and miserly. Further, when we have the assurance that our lifestyle needs are met and there is surplus, we tend to be more tolerant of risk so long as that risk does not jeopardize our lifestyle.
We suggest reviewing your money mindset anytime you review your financial plan.