The Four Spending Personalities: Why you spend the way you do
By: Jill Franks + Jared Gravatt

Apple | Spotify | YouTube |
We all have that moment when we look at a purchase and think, “This made total sense at the time.” Whether it’s a Target run gone rogue or a “limited-time deal” that’s still haunting your inbox, we’ve all been there. The truth is, our spending habits are rarely just about dollars and cents, they’re about personality.
In this episode of Isn’t That Rich, we (Jill and Jared) explored why we spend the way we do, and it turns out there’s a method to the madness. We discovered that most people fall into one of four categories: Savers, Spenders, Avoiders, or Dreamers, and sometimes, a mix of more than one.
And yes, we took the quiz ourselves. Jared landed squarely as a Spender (no surprise there), and Jill came out as a Dreamer, which also felt exactly right. The funny part? Jill thought she was a spender, until the results proved otherwise. Jared, on the other hand, never doubted it for a second.
Before you take the quiz below, here’s a rundown of each personality, complete with real-life examples, quirks, and a few laughs we shared along the way.
The Saver
If you like a good spreadsheet, a plan, and a growing account balance, you might be a Saver. Savers crave security and control. They feel calm when the numbers add up and mildly panicked when someone suggests dipping into savings “just this once.”
We all know (and need) a Saver in our lives—ours is Ashley. She’s the friend who reminds us not to buy the $5 coffee and somehow pays for it herself. She’s the voice of reason in a world of impulse buys.
Strengths: Savers bring order, stability, and zero late fees.
Weaknesses: They can get so focused on protecting their money that they forget to enjoy it.
Pro tip: Take the plastic off the couch. You earned the couch. Sit on it.
The Spender
Spenders find joy in the “add to cart” button. They see money as a way to create memories, treat others, and bring a little extra sparkle to life. A Spender is the friend who insists on picking up the tab, buys the fancy candle because the box was so pretty, and decorates their Walmart skeleton (yes, Jared, we mean you) with new outfits for every holiday.
Jared proudly identifies as a Spender, and he’s not ashamed. As he puts it, “You only live once, and if you can make life a little more fun, why not?”
Strengths: Generosity, optimism, and a love for experiences over stuff.
Weaknesses: Regret can creep in later, especially when the credit card bill hits.
Pro tip: Add just a touch of structure, like a weekly money check-in, to keep the fun rolling without the guilt.
The Avoider
Avoiders are the “I’ll check that later” crowd. They aren’t bad with money, they’re just overwhelmed by it. Bills might sit unopened. Subscriptions renew quietly in the background. The thought of budgeting feels like a pop quiz they didn’t study for.
But we get it. Avoiding financial stress feels easier than facing it head-on. The problem is, the stress doesn’t actually go away, it just hides until it multiplies.
Strengths: Creative, easygoing, and not defined by money.
Weaknesses: Disorganization and late fees. Lots of late fees.
Pro tip: Start small. Pair your Monday morning coffee with a quick bank account check-in. It’ll take five minutes and save you headaches later.
The Dreamer
Dreamers live in a world of what could be. They see possibilities everywhere and believe things will work out, which they often do. Dreamers are big-picture thinkers who sometimes forget about the details (like budgets, deadlines, or whether that big idea actually has a plan).
We know this one well because Jill scored as a Dreamer. She’s the type to buy outdoor igloos years before she uses them, because one day, there’s going to be an amazing event, and she’ll need them. (Spoiler: she was right.)
Strengths: Visionary, creative, inspiring, and full of ideas.
Weaknesses: Execution. Dreamers often need accountability to turn their ideas into action.
Pro tip: Pair your passion with a plan. Write your goal, pick three steps, and tell someone about them. Instant accountability.
What We Learned
We realized that no one personality is better than another, they all bring something valuable to the table. Savers give us structure, Spenders give us life, Avoiders remind us not to stress the small stuff, and Dreamers push us to think big.
The key isn’t changing who you are. It’s understanding how you operate and surrounding yourself with people who balance you out. That’s why Jared and Jill make such a good team, one brings the excitement, the other brings the vision, and together with Ashley, the ultimate Saver of the group, they keep everything balanced. Jared’s the enthusiastic Spender who believes life’s too short to skip the fun, Jill’s the big-picture Dreamer always chasing what’s next, and Ashley’s the structured Saver who keeps them both grounded (and reminds them that maybe they don’t need another coffee run). It’s the perfect mix of creativity, spontaneity, and practicality and exactly why their conversations about money are as entertaining as they are eye-opening.
Now it’s your turn! Grab a pen or open your Notes app. There are only eight questions, and we promise it’s fun.
The 8-Question Money Personality Quiz
Pick A, B, C, or D for each question. Keep track of your answers, your results are below!
1) You get an unexpected $500. What’s your first move?
A. Deposit it into savings immediately.
B. Treat myself because I deserve it.
C. I’ll deal with it later—maybe next week.
D. Put it toward something exciting I’ve been dreaming about.
2) How do you feel when you check your bank accounts?
A. Calm. I already know what’s in there.
B. Surprised. Sometimes it’s higher, sometimes it’s not.
C. Stressed. I avoid checking unless I have to.
D. Hopeful. I focus on my goals, not the numbers.
3) What describes your relationship with budgeting?
A. I love it—I track everything.
B. I try, but fun always wins.
C. I don’t really have one. Budgets make me anxious.
D. I think about the big picture, not the details.
4) Friends invite you out for an unplanned dinner. You say:
A. Let me check my budget first.
B. I’m in! Life’s too short to say no.
C. I avoid responding until the last minute.
D. Yes—and next time, let’s plan something even bigger.
5) How do you feel about credit cards?
A. Necessary tool—I pay it off each month.
B. Safety net… or a temptation.
C. Intimidating—I’d rather not think about them.
D. Helpful for building my future if I use them wisely.
6) What motivates most of your money decisions?
A. Security—I want to feel safe and prepared.
B. Enjoyment—I want to live fully.
C. Avoidance—I don’t want to feel stressed.
D. Vision—I want to create something bigger for myself or my family.
7) How do you handle big purchases?
A. Research, plan, and save first.
B. If it feels right, I buy it. You only live once.
C. I procrastinate or ignore it until I have no choice.
D. I imagine how it fits into my future life, even if I don’t have the money yet.
8) Your biggest financial fear is:
A. Not having enough saved for an emergency.
B. Missing out on experiences or fun.
C. Facing how bad things might really be.
D. Never reaching the life I dreamed of.
Your Results
Mostly A’s: The Saver
You value security, structure, and control. Watching your balance grow brings you peace—but don’t forget, it’s okay to spend on joy too.
Mostly B’s: The Spender
You love experiences and connection, and your enthusiasm is contagious. Add a bit of planning and your fun can last a lifetime.
Mostly C’s: The Avoider
You’d rather not think about money—but the less you look, the more stressful it becomes. Start small and celebrate progress.
Mostly D’s: The Dreamer
You believe in possibility and inspire others with your ideas. Add structure and accountability, and you’ll turn those dreams into reality.
Final Thoughts
We learned that money personalities are less about how much you have and more about how you feel about it. Once you know your type, you can make choices that work with your natural tendencies instead of against them.
And if you’re wondering, yes, we’re still working on balancing ours. Jared’s trying not to buy another seasonal skeleton, and Jill’s writing out her next big idea (with a plan this time).
Now it’s your turn. Take the quiz, find your match, and tag us on social media with your results. Are you a Saver, Spender, Avoider, or Dreamer? We can’t wait to find out.