Amrita Jayakumar, writer on the popular finance website nerdwallet.com, recently wrote a great article on the different types of money personalities. Money can be a somewhat taboo topic, but it plays such a significant role in everyone’s lives. That’s why it’s so important for you to understand your relationship with money and how that relationship impacts your decisions. When we gain a better understanding of how we relate to money, we can make adjustments to improve our quality of life. Below are the 4 types of personalities the article points out.

MONEY WORSHIP

Money worshippers believe that more money will solve their problems and they can never have enough money. They are more likely to overspend on themselves or others and carry credit card debt. Money worship is the most common belief among Americans, according to research by Klontz.

Take action: If you’re a money worshipper, you can take control of your spending by creating a budget and learning about the different ways to pay off credit card debt.

MONEY AVOIDANCE

Avoiders believe that money is bad and they do not deserve it. They may ignore their finances and avoid thinking about money. They may also give away money to others in order not to have it.

Take action: One option if you’re an avoider is to automate your finances to avoid thinking about them — setting up automatic 401(k) contributions or sending money to a separate savings account, for example. Loved ones can help hold you accountable to those tasks.

MONEY VIGILANCE

Those who are vigilant believe that being frugal and saving is important. They may be secretive about their finances and uncomfortable discussing money with others.

Take action: Secrecy should not stand in the way of better money habits. If you’re uncomfortable talking to family or friends but have money questions, use NerdWallet to find the best savings accounts for an emergency fund, research investment options or get the right credit card to match your spending.

MONEY STATUS

People who hold this belief see money as a means to achieving a higher status. They believe self-worth is equal to net worth and may be driven to earn more money than their peers. They may also take risks to make money quickly and buy expensive things.

Take action: If you hold this belief, give yourself a cooling-off period before making a purchase. You can also make a budget — and stick to it — to avoid overspending.

Money is emotional.

Working with a therapist or coach can help you change your money habits and remain accountable to your financial goals. If your interested in talking with an expert, click the button below!