What Might Your Enneagram Type Say About Your Spending Habits?
Your view on money is shaped by many things – how your parents spent money when growing up, how your partner spends money today, your income level, and your overall financial literacy. But one factor you may not have considered before is that your Enneagram type could explain a lot about your spending habits.
Developed in the mid-twentieth century by Oscar Ichazo, the “Enneagram of Personality Traits” is considered to be “a modern synthesis of several ancient wisdom traditions.”1 Although peer-reviewed analysis suggests mixed evidence of empirical reliability and validity, the Enneagram can still be a helpful model to get a fresh perspective on personality types and how they might influence beliefs and behaviors.2
What Are Enneagram Types?
There are nine Enneagram types that describe different personality types:
- 1 - The Reformer
- 2 - The Helper
- 3 - The Achiever
- 4 - The Individualist
- 5 - The Investigator
- 6 - The Loyalist
- 7 - The Enthusiast
- 8 - The Challenger
- 9 - The Peacemaker
Each type has unique internal motivations and views that impact and influence their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Knowing your Enneagram type is a great way to discover what motivates you. This tool can be especially helpful when it comes to understanding your spending habits - meaning you can use it to help make yourself a better spender.
Spending Habits By Enneagram Type
To determine your Enneagram type, follow The Enneagram Institute’s instructions for how it works, or take a quiz online. Once you’ve determined your own Enneagram Type, refer to the number below. Sometimes the results indicate strengths as two different types, so be sure to read both of the descriptions below if that applies to you.
1: The Reformer
If you’re a reformer, you are rational, principled, purposeful, self-controlled, and a perfectionist. When it comes to spending, you probably love creating a budget so that you know exactly where your money is going. Make sure that even with your budget, you allow yourself to spend money on the things you value most. If you have a significant other, let them have input on the budget as well (even though it is already perfect) so that he or she feels empowered and not controlled by the budget.
2: The Helper
As a helper, you are especially caring and tend to be demonstrative, generous, people-pleasing, and even possessive. You want to be very giving with your money to make things better for other people. This is great, but you’ll want to be sure to set limits for yourself and take the time to evaluate the causes and people to which you are giving. Just like you hear when flying, it is important for you to put your oxygen mask on first before helping others – the same can be said for your finances. Sometimes Helpers can fall into the trap of using money as a source of control over the receiving party, so proceed with caution.
3: The Achiever
Achievers are success-oriented and tend to be adaptive, driven, and image-conscious. With that being said, if you’re an achiever you are likely to be a status spender (and use income as a way to keep score). This means that you may like to buy trendy things and use these purchases as a way to boost your image or pay more than your share for outings with others to prove that you are successful. Achievers tend to prioritize maximizing their income at the expense of their relationships and well-being in other areas. Tracking your income and spending (and saving money for the future) is important for achievers to remember.
4: The Individualist
Individualists are often more sensitive and withdrawn, but also expressive and dramatic. They can even be self-absorbed and temperamental. If you are an individualist, you may find yourself spending based on emotions and not relying on a spending plan. It could cause you to overspend on impulse buys, so try out journaling, drawing, or listening to music as different ways to express yourself without spending money and implement a 24-hour sleep-on-it rule for larger purchases.
5: The Investigator
As an investigator, you are often intense, perceptive, innovative, and secretive. You may love to find great deals and sales when you shop, and you may spend countless hours scouring reviews and specifications making sure that the item you are considering is the right one. You will want to be cautious though, and ask yourself if you really need it or if it’s just a good deal. Remind yourself that not spending money at all will save you even more than spending money on something just because it's on sale.
6: The Loyalist
If you are a loyalist, you are usually committed, engaging, and responsible but also anxious and suspicious at times. When it comes to spending, you’re often more of a saver and tend to be brand loyal to items that you have purchased in the past. You may also look for ulterior motives when being pitched during a sale (sometimes when none exist). Having an emergency fund for unexpected events and investing a significant portion of your income will be helpful in the long run, but also make sure you take the time to relax and enjoy today knowing that you are prepared for the future.
7: The Enthusiast
As an enthusiast, you’re often busy, fun-loving, spontaneous, versatile, distractible, and a little scattered. This makes it easy for you to make impulse buying decisions often, both for smaller items as well as larger purchases like entertainment and vacations. To combat these impulse buys, ask yourself questions to figure out the “why” of each purchase. For example, ask yourself, “Will this purchase bring me joy? If so, for how long? Do I already have one of these? If so, does it need to be replaced? Could planning ahead have prevented me from feeling like I need to buy this right now?”
8: The Challenger
You are often powerful and dominating if you are a challenger. You are also likely confident, decisive, willful, and confrontational (so you don’t mind negotiating prices). Because you tend to avoid being vulnerable, you rely on your independence and may find yourself stockpiling items. Remind yourself that it’s okay to ask for things from others when you need them. Modernity conditions us to insist on buying things because they’re convenient or scarce or “just in case,” but usually there are other ways to fulfill that need, whether that means leaning on family and community when needed, repurposing existing belongings, or getting creative in other ways. If you have a significant other, be sure that your often more dominant personality doesn’t make them feel controlled when it comes to money and spending.
9: The Peacemaker
You’ve probably already guessed that if you are a peacemaker, you are most likely a people-pleaser. You are typically easy-going, receptive, reassuring, and agreeable. You may find yourself making purchases that will please others, or you consistently ask for others’ approval before buying things. Make sure that you are making purchases that match up with your priorities since it is your money after all. Many times, people who fall into this type don’t even know what they value since they have conformed to others around them for so long, so it may take some time and introspection for these desires to surface so that you can align your spending with your values.
Evaluating your Enneagram Type in regards to your spending habits is, by no means, an exact science. But it can provide a new and fun way of thinking about how your personality may be impacting your financial decisions. If you have any concerns about how you may be spending your money, you can always reach out to us at SFP to learn more or make a plan.
This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information, and provided by Strategic Financial Planning, Inc. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered legal, investment, or tax advice.