The Four Money Languages by Dr. Kenneth Doyle

Everyone has a money language, but do you know which one you are? Dr. Kenneth Doyle, financial psychologist, breaks it down into four basic profiles.

The Driver

The “Driver” is someone who equates money to success. Having money protects against the fear of incompetence, and the more money they have, the more successful and competent they feel. Drivers communicate love by showing what money has done to improve the lives of those around them. The greatest weakness of this money language is that Drivers can be overly dependent on money for their self-esteem. They might feel a deep sense of inadequacy when they lack money, and may tend to be more materialistic.

The Analytic

“Analytics” are people who view money as a source of security to protect them from life’s difficulties. They tend to be very structured and organized in their approach to money, and are the most likely to establish a budget and stick to it. They are well structured financially, and they are good long-range money planners. The Analytic communicates love by saving money, thereby looking out for the future well-being and interests of loved ones. The weakness of Analytics is that they tend to be unyielding and legalistic regarding budgeting and money issues. It’s common for people who are around Analytics to feel less important than money. Analytics can unintentionally communicate a disregard for the feelings of others because of a conservative financial attitude.

The Amiable

Relationships and people are the focus of the financial desires of the “Amiables.” To them, money means love and affection. A lack of money translates as an inability to demonstrate love. Amiables communicate love by sharing what they have with those around them, especially family and friends. The weakness is that while Amiables are generous and good-hearted, they are often poor money managers and may lack long-range planning skills.

The Expressive

To the “Expressive,” money is acceptance. It purchases the respect and admiration of others. It provides the basis of relationships with desirable people. Expressives communicate love by shopping, buying, and spending to gain acceptance from a select group. This language can be used in a negative way to hide feelings of pain, insecurity, or incompetence. Expressives can become overly dependent on money to solve problems and calm fears.

Open & Honest Communication About Money

Being able to understand how you and your partner react to money will allow you to speak openly and honestly when discussing finances. Understanding and validating your partner’s money language can make it easier to come to agreements regarding your mutual, financial decisions. More than likely, you and your partner will have different money languages, and therefore different approaches to how you make decisions about money. This is completely acceptable, and having a healthy outlook of how each other thinks about finances will help you to find common ground.