Money Values Discovery Exercise

Understand your financial mindset, align your values, and build a money approach that fits your life.

Instructions:

  • If you're doing this solo, use it as a personal reflection.

  • If you're doing this as a couple, complete the individual sections first, then come together for discussion.

Want a guided worksheet to track your answers?

Step 1: Your Money Story – Looking Back

Reflect on your upbringing and past experiences with money. Write down or discuss:

  • The first time you remember handling money. What happened?

  • What did your parents or caregivers teach you about money?

  • Did your family discuss finances openly, or was it a taboo topic?

  • What messages did you absorb about spending, saving, debt, or wealth?

  • If money caused stress in your home, how did that impact you?

Activity: Create a "Money Timeline." Plot 3–5 key financial moments in your life and how they shaped your beliefs.

Step 2: Your Money Personality Quiz

Rate yourself on a scale from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).

  1. I feel anxious when I don’t know exactly where my money is going.

  2. I believe money should be spent to create joy and experiences.

  3. I feel more comfortable when I have significant savings set aside.

  4. I tend to avoid thinking about money because it’s stressful.

  5. I think generosity is a core part of financial well-being.

  6. I find it hard to spend money on myself, even when I can afford it.

  7. Debt makes me uncomfortable, and I prefer to avoid it.

  8. I feel like I never have "enough" money, no matter how much I save.

  9. I make financial decisions impulsively based on emotions.

  10. I believe money equals security and control.

Reflection: What do your answers reveal about how you handle money?

Step 3: Identify Your Top 3 Money Values

From the list below, pick your top 3 values that reflect what matters most to you financially.

  • Security (Having a financial safety net and stability)

  • Freedom (Having choices and control over your life)

  • Generosity (Helping others through giving)

  • Experiences (Spending on travel, entertainment, adventure)

  • Status (Money as a reflection of success)

  • Simplicity (Minimalism and low financial stress)

  • Independence (Self-sufficiency, avoiding financial dependence)

  • Growth (Using money to invest in personal or professional development)

Activity: Compare your choices with a partner. Where do you align? Where do you differ?

Step 4: Couples Money Conversations

Discuss the following:

  • What surprised you about each other’s money values?

  • Where do we align, and where do we differ?

  • What’s one financial habit we can improve together?

  • How can we create a financial plan that honors both of our values?


Activity: Use a Money Alignment Score (1–10 scale) to rate how aligned you feel financially as a couple. Then, brainstorm ways to improve that alignment.

Step 5: Create an Action Plan

Now that you've identified your money values and mindset, set a SMART financial goal.


Example Goals:

  • If you value Security, build an emergency fund.

  • If you value Experiences, create a travel budget.

  • If you value Generosity, set up a donation plan.


Activity: Write your goal down and set a "Money Date" in 3 months to check in on progress!

Ready to align your finances and relationship?