“I read your discussion about the money personalities last week, and I realize that I’m very uptight about money. I grew up poor and was always determined to make it big.

“Now I have a high paying job and lots of money in my bank account but I hardly enjoy it. I’m afraid to spend any of it, and my family thinks I’m cheap. I may be rich, but I’m certainly not having fun and I would like some advice on how to change this.”

Last week we looked at five of the nine money personalities described in “Your Money Personality:  What It is and How You Can Profit from it,” by Kathleen Gurney, Ph.D. In this book she explains the connection between your emotions and the way you relate to money.

Why should we care about how we relate to money? As Dr Gurney points out, “the money style you have developed defines the amount of money you are earning now, the amount you save, the pleasure you get in using money, and the success of your investment plan.”

So if you’re not happy with your money situation now, perhaps you need to change your money personality.

We have examined the Entrepreneurs, the Safety Players, the Hunters, the High Rollers and the Achievers. Let’s look at the other four money personalities:

6.   Perfectionists

– often become too critical in the way they make financial decisions and manage their money
– are frustrated and discontent with their financial status in life
– lack trust and pride in themselves because of the way they have handled their money
– are very distrustful of other people dealing with their money
– unknowingly allow their skeptical nature to impede their financial progress

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7.   Producers

– are frustrated that hard work has not brought them greater financial rewards
– have great difficulty in asserting themselves when it comes to getting what they deserve financially
– desire the feeling of prestige and power that can be derived from accumulating wealth
– are not particularly proud of their current financial condition – their earning power or assets
– lack confidence in their perceptions and skills with their money management

8.   Optimists

– feel quite content with their current financial situation
– believe that fate plays a significant role in their financial destiny
– are not very analytical in the way they approach making financial decisions
– get greater enjoyment in spending their money than in saving it
– do not desire money to bring them status or prestige

9.   Money Masters

– are successful in accumulating assets
– are proud of their financial accomplishments
– like to be highly involved in managing their money
– trust that other people are honest when dealing with their money
– are confident of their future financial security

As you look at the different personalities you might recognize your money style in one or more of the categories. If after you’ve examined your money style you’re not satisfied with your situation, you’ll have to take steps to create a new outlook on money that will help you to achieve your financial goals.

According to Dr Gurney, you have to learn to differentiate between good and detrimental emotions about money. In your case, although you have met your objective of gaining wealth, you are still not happy. This is because having money cannot change the negative self concept that is holding you back from true contentment.

As she says, “by itself, money has no value. We project meaning into it. The way we use money reveals a lot about how we see the world – as fearful and threatening or challenging and adventurous.”

From what you have described, you may not wish to spend any of your hard-earned money, because subconsciously you are fearful that you might lose it and become poor again.

Looking at the large balance in your bank book gives you reassurance that on paper you are rich. However, your heart is unhappy because your unresolved fears about money don’t allow you to benefit from having wealth.

I suggest that you try two things to lessen or eliminate your money problems:

1. Get guidance from a counselor who can assist you in resolving your past issues about money and poverty.
2. Go to a financial planning advisor who can help you to invest wisely in secure investments.
This way you should be able to feel more comfortable that your money will not disappear, and you can finally relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour.